Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
What is ACT?
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of therapy that differs a bit from other types of approaches. ACT does not focus directly on reducing the distress caused by negative symptoms but rather on accepting the presence of the symptoms in a new way. ACT helps you by shifting your focus towards the thoughts and behaviours that add value to your life.
What to expect in an ACT session?
The goal of Acceptance & Commitment Therapy sessions is to increase your mental resilience by learning how to accept and observe unpleasant thoughts, emotions and urges that may come up in response to a situation without trying to resist or control them. At the same time, you are guided in identifying activities and behaviours that create meaning in your life. Your ACT therapist can help you to develop skills to achieve these value driven goals. Some of the strategies learned in an ACT session would include being able to separate yourself from your thoughts and increase your ability to be mindful while in the presence of these thoughts.
Have patience with all things, but first of all, with yourself.
Saint Francis De Sales
What are the benefits of ACT Therapy?
One of the many benefits of ACT therapy is that once it is learned, it can be easily applied to a variety of thoughts and situations. By increasing psychological flexibility, you are more able to experience distressing thoughts and emotions without feeling compelled to change them. ACT can be used to treat anxiety, depression, chronic pain, social anxiety and trauma.
