WHAT IS ACT?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) developed as a behavioral intervention to help people to live life more fully in the present, to become more aware of what truly matters in their lives, and to become less entangled in painful thoughts, feelings, and experiences that often leave people feeling stuck, frustrated, and suffering.
ACT teaches people how to disengage from painful thoughts and feelings through acceptance and mindfulness skills, to develop self-compassion and flexibility, and to build life-enhancing patterns of behavior.
In short, ACT teaches us how to let go of avoidance and needless struggle with unpleasant thoughts and feelings. Instead, we learn to open up to our hurts just as they are and meet them with gentleness, kindness, and compassion. Doing so then frees our precious time and energy to focus on what we want to be about in this life and then to get on with acting in ways that support what we care about.
So, ACT is not about overcoming pain or fighting emotions; it's about embracing life as it is and with everything it has to offer. ACT offers a way out of suffering by choosing to live a life based on what matters most. Just remember that the ACT acronym stands for this:
Accept what you are experiencing just as it is, and not as what your mind says it is (e.g., terrible, weak, out of control),
Choose what you want to be about and do, right where you are (e.g., what matters to you in this life, right here, right now?), and
Take action in life directions that matter to you.
ACT has developed within a scientific tradition, and there continues to be a thriving research community that examines the basic science underlying ACT and the effectiveness of applying ACT skills and strategies to a broad range of life problems (e.g., anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance abuse, chronic pain, psychosis, eating problems, and weight management) and areas of life that matter such as work, play, family, spirituality, health, just to name a few.
That said, ACT is much more than a therapy. ACT is an approach to thriving, empowerment, and growth. ACT teaches a number of skills and strategies that can be helpful to all of us when faced with life's obstacles, problems, and pains and when we struggle trying to find a way forward into a life that matters. The challenge of the human condition is to find a way to make the most of this precious life even when it is hard and difficult to do so. ACT teaches powerful skills to do just that.
Many people find that learning from and with others is a great way to enact important life changes. We suggest one or more of the following may best meet your needs:
PLEASE NOTE: While research suggests that self-help books and other resources can be helpful for many people, professional psychotherapy services are often more interactive and tailored to your individual needs and therefore may be in your best interest. If you are already seeing a therapist, it is best to share with your therapist that you plan to seek out and use additional resources, and to share what you learn so that he or she can better support your growth.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) developed as a behavioral intervention to help people to live life more fully in the present, to become more aware of what truly matters in their lives, and to become less entangled in painful thoughts, feelings, and experiences that often leave people feeling stuck, frustrated, and suffering.
ACT teaches people how to disengage from painful thoughts and feelings through acceptance and mindfulness skills, to develop self-compassion and flexibility, and to build life-enhancing patterns of behavior.
In short, ACT teaches us how to let go of avoidance and needless struggle with unpleasant thoughts and feelings. Instead, we learn to open up to our hurts just as they are and meet them with gentleness, kindness, and compassion. Doing so then frees our precious time and energy to focus on what we want to be about in this life and then to get on with acting in ways that support what we care about.
So, ACT is not about overcoming pain or fighting emotions; it's about embracing life as it is and with everything it has to offer. ACT offers a way out of suffering by choosing to live a life based on what matters most. Just remember that the ACT acronym stands for this:
Accept what you are experiencing just as it is, and not as what your mind says it is (e.g., terrible, weak, out of control),
Choose what you want to be about and do, right where you are (e.g., what matters to you in this life, right here, right now?), and
Take action in life directions that matter to you.
ACT has developed within a scientific tradition, and there continues to be a thriving research community that examines the basic science underlying ACT and the effectiveness of applying ACT skills and strategies to a broad range of life problems (e.g., anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance abuse, chronic pain, psychosis, eating problems, and weight management) and areas of life that matter such as work, play, family, spirituality, health, just to name a few.
That said, ACT is much more than a therapy. ACT is an approach to thriving, empowerment, and growth. ACT teaches a number of skills and strategies that can be helpful to all of us when faced with life's obstacles, problems, and pains and when we struggle trying to find a way forward into a life that matters. The challenge of the human condition is to find a way to make the most of this precious life even when it is hard and difficult to do so. ACT teaches powerful skills to do just that.
Many people find that learning from and with others is a great way to enact important life changes. We suggest one or more of the following may best meet your needs:
- Seeking a professional therapist with whom you feel comfortable (see Find an ACT Therapist for a searchable directory)
- Attending a professionally run therapy group
- Reading self-help books
- Joining the free email listserv on Yahoo
- Finding others with whom to learn about and discuss applying ACT principles to your life
PLEASE NOTE: While research suggests that self-help books and other resources can be helpful for many people, professional psychotherapy services are often more interactive and tailored to your individual needs and therefore may be in your best interest. If you are already seeing a therapist, it is best to share with your therapist that you plan to seek out and use additional resources, and to share what you learn so that he or she can better support your growth.
- Find an ACT Therapist
- Connecting with Others
- Self-Help Resources & Bookstore
- Free Practical Audio Exercises
- Free Videos: Learning About and Applying ACT
- Resources for Learning More about ACT
- A Note on the Research Supporting ACT
- ACT for Returning Vets (and others)
- Free ACT Articles and Interviews
- The Time Magazine story
