Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of therapy that emphasizes acceptance of your unavoidable struggles. It teaches you to end your battle with unpleasant emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations where possible. This opens up space and attention for the things that truly matter to you, and to commit to those matters. The objective is not to resolve or reduce these struggles but to become mentally more resilient.
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The ACT Model
ACT comprises six steps that can be performed in any order:
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Acceptance: Making room for unpleasant experiences.
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Defusion: Creating distance from your thoughts
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Self: Flexibly handling your self-concept.
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Here and now: Focusing on the present moment.
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Values: Reflecting on what truly matters to you.
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Committed action: Investing in your values
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The aim of ACT is to shift from a rigid way of thinking about physical or mental issues to a flexible mindset through these six steps.