A mindfulness-based therapy that encourages individuals to align their actions with their personal values, helping them to lead more fulfilling lives.
Treatments
Embracing acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
Introduction
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), developed by Dr. Steven C. Hayes in the 1980s, focuses on helping people accept their thoughts and feelings instead of fighting them. It combines mindfulness and behaviour change strategies to promote a fulfilling, values-driven life.
Who can benefit from ACT
ACT is suitable for a variety of mental health issues like depression, anxiety, OCD, chronic pain, and substance use disorders. It’s also beneficial for managing stress, navigating life transitions, and pursuing personal growth.
The process of ACT
ACT involves six core processes: acceptance, cognitive defusion, being present, self as context, values, and committed action. You’ll learn to accept your internal experiences and reduce the impact of negative thoughts. Techniques include mindfulness exercises, values clarification, and behaviour change strategies.
Ideal situations for ACT
ACT is helpful when people struggle with avoiding or suppressing negative emotions, leading to a lower quality of life. It’s particularly useful when traditional cognitive-behavioural approaches aren’t effective, promoting a more accepting and mindful approach to inner experiences.
The benefits of ACT
ACT is valued for its focus on living a meaningful life rather than just reducing symptoms. It helps people increase their psychological flexibility, making it easier to adapt to life’s challenges and pursue meaningful goals.
Dr Sarah Herniman
Clinical Psychologist
Sarah is an AHPRA-registered Clinical Psychologist, and is dedicated to helping individuals lead fulfilling lives. Learn more about Dr Sarah
