Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

A mindfulness-based cognitive behavioural (CBT) approach. It encourages us to accept our experience, thoughts and feelings and at the same time recognise them for what they are - a fear of something happening is not the same as it happening and a belief is not the same as reality. In ACT, rather than trying to challenge or change thoughts, one just accepts that they are there and rather than concerning oneself with whether they are right or wrong, one is more concerned with whether they are helpful to one in leading a fulfilling and meaningful life. ACT is concerned with exploring your values and taking committed action based on your values, to help you to move in your valued direction. This involves both working towards specific goals and living according to your values.

ACT refers to the 'hexaflex' of its 6 core processes:

• Defusion (recognising thoughts as thoughts)
• Acceptance
• Contact with the present
• Self as context / observing self
• Values
• Committed action

The aim is to develop psychological flexibility - in this way our repertoire of ways of living our life and dealing with situations, so we can make conscious choices based on our values.