What is ACT?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of therapy that focuses on helping people accept their thoughts and feelings rather than trying to change or control them. The goal is to live a meaningful life based on your values.
A breakdown of ACT:
Acceptance: ACT encourages you to embrace your thoughts and feelings, even the uncomfortable ones, instead of avoiding or fighting them. This helps reduce their power over you.
Cognitive Defusion: This involves learning to see thoughts as just thoughts, not truths or commands. It helps you distance yourself from negative thinking patterns.
Mindfulness: Similar to mindfulness practices, ACT emphasizes being present in the moment and fully experiencing your life without judgment.
Values Clarification: ACT helps you identify what truly matters to you—your values. This understanding guides your actions and decisions.
Commitment to Action: Once you know your values, ACT encourages you to take committed action toward living in line with them, even if it feels uncomfortable at times.
ACT promotes psychological flexibility, allowing you to adapt to life's challenges while pursuing a meaningful life based on your values.