Wat is ACT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy? | Psyned (2024)

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Wat is ACT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy? | Psyned? ›

The goal of ACT is to create a rich and meaningful life, while accepting the pain that inevitably goes with it. “ACT” is a good abbreviation, because this therapy is about taking effective action guided by our deepest values and in which we are fully present and engaged.

"Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a third-wave cognitive-behavioral therapy approach that focuses on helping people accept difficult thoughts, feelings, sensations, and internal experiences while guiding them to commit to values-based actions," explains Avigail Lev, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist who ...

The ACT therapist would teach the patient new ways of being with anxiety, such as simply noticing it for what it is (a cluster of thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations), opening up to experiencing anxiety as it is (as an ongoing stream of shifting thoughts, feelings and sensations), letting go of efforts to ...

The general goal of ACT is to increase psychological flexibility—the ability to contact the present moment more fully as a conscious human being and to change or persist in behavior when doing so serves valued ends.

Hayes (2005) describes six core processes of ACT: acceptance, cognitive defusion, being present, self as context, valuing, and committed action. Similarly, Wilson et al (1996) provides a sample model for intervention: 1.

ACT is, however, contraindicated for those individuals who are in situations where acceptance would be dangerous. For example, for those in abusive relationships, or behavioral problems where the individual is placing their physical health and safety at risk, ACT may not be the most appropriate approach.

Acceptance and commitment therapy has been found to be effective in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. It is also beneficial for individuals who are dealing with chronic pain, grief, and other issues.

ACT is considered to be a shorter-term therapy, usually in the range of 8 to 16 sessions. It is an active and collaborative therapy between the client and the psychologist.

These tests are designed to measure skills that are most important for success in postsecondary education and that are acquired in secondary education. The score range for each of the four multiple-choice tests is 1–36. The Composite score is the average of the four test scores rounded to the nearest whole number.

ACT helps you reduce negative thoughts by helping you accept things that are out of your control while also focusing on what you can control (your actions).

How is ACT different from CBT? ›

CBT emphasizes changing thoughts to change emotions and behavior. ACT focuses on developing psychological flexibility through mindfulness and committed action aligned with values. CBT is older and has more robust research support, while ACT is a newer “third-wave” therapy that incorporates mindfulness techniques.

Instead of trying to alter thoughts or feelings directly, ACT focuses on changing one's relationship to these internal experiences [3]. This approach can be particularly beneficial when dealing with trauma, where attempts to suppress or avoid painful memories and emotions often prove counterproductive.

According to the psychological flexibility model, which underpins ACT, psychological flexibility consists of six primary components: defusion, acceptance, self as context, contact with the present moment, values, and committed action.

ACT therapy works by focusing on accepting life experiences as they come, without evaluating or trying to change them. It's a skill developed through mindfulness exercises that encourage you to build a new and more compassionate relationship with difficult experiences.

Results show that across 20 meta-analyses, 133 studies and 12,477 participants, ACT is considered efficacious for all the conditions examined, which includes anxiety, depression, substance abuse and pain. No more waiting days, weeks or even months to find a therapist.

Clients can be assigned to mindfully observe the way they do the problematic behaviour, to notice every aspect of it in great detail, and in particular, to notice what thoughts and feelings are present while they are doing so. Often, simply bringing full awareness to the behaviour disrupts it.

According to the psychological flexibility model, which underpins ACT, psychological flexibility consists of six primary components: defusion, acceptance, self as context, contact with the present moment, values, and committed action.

CBT is typically short-term and goal-oriented, targeting specific issues. ACT is an ongoing process meant to be integrated into daily life. In CBT, the therapist takes a more directive role in guiding cognitive restructuring. With ACT, the work is more collaborative between client and therapist.

The main differences between ACT and DBT would be that DBT leans towards a more educative approach while ACT emphasises an experiential one. Perspective wise, DBT adopts a biosocial perspective on behaviour while that of ACT is contextual. Moreover, the underlying philosophy behind each form of therapy also differs.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Individuals accept what is out of their control and commit to action that develops psychological skills to deal more effectively with difficult thoughts and feelings, clarifies their values, motivates them to take action, and improves and enriches their lives.