Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of cognitive behavioural therapy that focuses on accepting thoughts, feelings and experiences rather than trying to control them.

It is highly effective in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, chronic pain, PTSD, anorexia and more.

ACT combines mindfulness and behaviour change strategies to help clients explore unhelpful behaviour patterns that may create unhappiness or feelings of being stuck. ACT aims to increase psychological flexibility to help individuals develop a more fulfilling and meaningful life. ACT sessions will focus on acceptance of what is, guiding you to be in the moment and to realize your negative thoughts and feelings so that action can be taken to offset these emotions and negative behaviour patterns.

ACT is used mainly in adults but there is research that shows it can be effective in young children to have more psychological flexibility. It can also be a very useful tool for parents with difficult emotions and ideas to manage their own problematic thoughts and feelings and can lead to more effective and compassionate parenting.