What the Modality is

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of psychotherapy that helps people accept their internal experiences—like difficult thoughts, emotions, or memories—rather than trying to avoid or control them. It’s based on the idea that struggling with pain often makes it worse, and that healing comes from learning to live meaningfully in the presence of discomfort. ACT blends mindfulness practices with behavior change strategies to help people live more fully and authentically.

How it Works in Therapy

In ACT sessions, clients learn to:

• Notice and name their thoughts and feelings without judgment (mindfulness)
• Create distance from unhelpful thoughts (cognitive defusion)
• Clarify their values—what truly matters to them
• Commit to actions that align with those values, even when it’s hard

Therapists may use metaphors (like “Passengers on the Bus” or “The Struggle Switch”), experiential exercises, guided mindfulness, and values-based goal setting. Clients might practice observing their thoughts, writing about their values, or role-playing difficult situations to build psychological flexibility.

Why it’s Helpful

ACT is especially effective for:

• Anxiety and depression
• Trauma and PTSD
• Chronic pain or illness
• Substance use
• Stress and burnout

It helps people stop fighting their inner experiences and instead focus on living a life that feels meaningful. By increasing psychological flexibility, ACT supports long-term emotional resilience, improved relationships, and greater life satisfaction.