Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (or “ACT,” pronounced like the word “act”) is a type of therapy based on the key theme of going after what truly matters to you while learning how to make room for unwanted thoughts and feelings that occur along the way.
This is a very ACT-ive type of therapy. Part of therapy is feeling heard and that your difficulties are understood, but we don’t want to stop there. In ACT, we encourage you to learn new skills by trying them out in session.
One of the exercises ACT therapists teach is mindfulness. Mindfulness means intentionally focusing your attention on this moment – right here and now – regardless of whether the experience is pleasant or painful, and being curious about whatever thoughts, feelings, or sensations come up.
The principles and exercises in ACT, including mindfulness, have been shown to be highly effective for many different types of struggles. Among these struggles are anxiety, depression, panic attacks, trauma, chronic pain, and problems with focus, concentration, and attention.