Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a practical, compassionate form of therapy that can help you respond differently to difficult thoughts, feelings and experiences.
Rather than trying to eliminate anxiety, low mood or other uncomfortable emotions, ACT focuses on helping you make room for them while moving towards the things that matter most to you.
ACT isn’t about simply accepting everything that happens to you. Instead, it is about learning to respond more flexibly to life’s challenges and taking action in ways that are consistent with your values.
It combines mindfulness skills with a focus on personal values and committed action.
ACT was developed from the late 1970s and 1980s onwards, with psychologist Steven Hayes a central figure in its development.
You don’t need to be familiar with mindfulness or have any previous experience of therapy. We’ll work at a pace that feels manageable for you.
Making room for difficult feelings, while moving towards what matters most.
ACT helps you make room for difficult thoughts and feelings, rather than struggling against them – freeing up energy to move towards the things that matter most to you, guided by your values.
Sessions are collaborative and tailored to you. We might explore patterns that are keeping you feeling stuck, notice how you respond to difficult thoughts and emotions, and identify what is important to you in your relationships, work and everyday life.
The aim isn’t simply to talk about problems, but to develop skills you can use in your everyday life. Sessions are 50 minutes weekly, typically for 10–16 sessions.
ACT may be helpful if you:
ACT is an evidence-based therapy with a growing body of research, helping people develop greater psychological flexibility.
Contact Dr Jen today to talk about whether ACT could help you.
