ACT | schoolpsychcorner

Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a third wave psychological approach to therapy that gets its name from one of its core messages - accept what is out of your personal control, and commit to action that improves and enriches your life.

The aim of ACT is to enhance human capacity to build a rich, full and meaningful life. ACT (which is pronounced as the word ‘act’, not as the initials) does this by:

1) teaching psychological skills to deal with painful thoughts and feelings effectively. It does this in such a way that these difficult thoughts and feelings will have much less impact and influence over a person. These skills are known as mindfulness skills.

2) helping to clarify what is truly important and meaningful to a person – i.e one's values. Using one's values can in turn guide, inspire and motivate a person to change their life for the better.

Russ Harris explains the 3 Happiness Myths

My 'To Do' List

Count my blessings

Let go of what I can't control

Practice kindness

Listen to my soul

Just breathe

Psychological Flexibility & The Six Core Processes of ACT - The ACT Hexaflex

There are six core processes that form part of the ACT Hexaflex:

Contacting the Present Moment - being psychologically present and aware of the here and now.
Defusion - to step back or detach from unhelpful thoughts, feelings and memories
Acceptance - opening up and making room for painful feelings and sensations
The Observing Self - the part of you that is responsible for awareness and attention to whatever you are thinking, feeling or doing at any moment
Values - what you want your life to be about, what is important and meaningful for you deep in your heart
Committed Action - taking action guided by your values, even if thing are difficult or uncomfortable