Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an adaption from cognitive behavioral therapy. ACT has now been tested in more than 50 randomized controlled trials and found to be helpful to individuals suffering from depression, anxiety, and a wide variety of mental health concerns. ACT is also helpful to individuals coping with illness, pain, stress, and major life transitions.
ACT derives its name from one of its core messages: accept life as it is and, at the same time, commit to action that improves and enriches every day. Rather than struggling to get rid of unwanted thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations (like pain), ACT teaches us to be mindful and observe our own thoughts and emotions, without judgment and without getting drawn into habitual negative patterns. ACT gives us the skills to do what matters most, while dealing effectively with feelings and thoughts that we may have struggled with in the past. The goal of ACT is to help individuals build meaningful and fulfilling lives.
Clinicians at Broadview integrate and incorporate ACT approaches regularly into their CBT or DBT work with clients, particularly in working with clients who have depression, anxiety and OCD.