“Your mental health professional will also encourage you to experiment with new ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving. This may include trying out new behaviors that are in line with your values or practicing mindfulness exercises.”
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy | Los Angeles, CA
Live A full and meaningful life
ACT is a type of psychotherapy that can help you learn to accept yourself and your situation and commit to taking action toward your goals.
Embrace your emotions and let them flow through you
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If you’re struggling with something in your life, whether it’s anxiety, depression, addiction, or anything else, you might want to consider seeking out acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). ACT is a type of psychotherapy that can help you learn to accept yourself and your situation and commit to taking action toward your goals. It can be an effective treatment for a wide range of issues, and it might just be what you need to start feeling better.
What is ACT?
ACT is a type of therapy that focuses on helping people accept themselves and their circumstances. This therapeutic approach has been shown to be effective in treating a broad range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, chronic pain, substance abuse, and eating disorders.
The main goal of ACT is to help people live more full and meaningful lives, while also experiencing difficult thoughts and emotions. The theory behind ACT is that our internal experiences are not always accurate or helpful, but they are a part of our everyday life. Accepting them can help us move on from them and focus on what is important to us.
Theoretical basis: how does ACT work?
The aim of ACT is to help people develop a greater sense of psychological flexibility or the ability to respond adaptively to different situations. This means being able to accept our painful emotions, without struggling against them. It also involves committing to taking action in line with what’s important to us, even when it is difficult to make peace with our emotional experiences.
ACT is based on the principles of mindfulness, acceptance, and values-based living. Mindfulness is a way of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. Acceptance means acknowledging our thoughts and feelings, without trying to change them. Values-based living involves setting goals and taking action in line with our deepest values, even when this is causing us discomfort or suffering.
Who can benefit from ACT
Research suggests that ACT may be an effective treatment for a variety of mental health conditions. A 2016 review of studies found that ACT was moderately effective at reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
ACT has also been shown to be helpful in managing chronic pain. A study published in the journal Pain in 2016 found that patients who received ACT experienced a significant reduction in pain intensity and disability compared to those who received standard care.
Finally, research suggests that ACT may be helpful for people struggling with addiction. A study published in the journal Addiction in 2017 found that participants who received ACT were more likely to abstain from drug use than those who received standard care.
In other words, ACT can be a good idea if you’re struggling with:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depressive symptoms
- Chronic pain
- Substance use disorders
- Eating disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
This form of behavioral psychotherapy can be used in individual or group therapy, and there are many resources available to help people learn ACT. If you are struggling with something in your life that is causing you distress, consider looking into ACT as a way to help you cope and make positive changes.
What to expect from an ACT session?
If you’re considering seeking out this form of cognitive behavior therapy, you may be wondering what to expect from an acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) session. First and foremost, it’s important to know that ACT is a relatively new mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.
Your therapist will explain how ACT can help you achieve your goals. They will likely use a variety of techniques, including teaching you how to observe and describe your thoughts and feelings without judgment and helping you identify your values.
During an ACT session, you will learn to be more aware of your emotions, and how they impact your behavior. They will encourage you to be present in the moment and to focus on your thoughts and feelings without judgment.
During an ACT session you may be asked to participate in various exercises and activities. These may include mindfulness techniques, such as breathing exercises and mindful walking, discussing difficult situations or memories, and role-playing.
How I Can Help
We all go through rough patches in life and emotional discomfort. Whether it’s a difficult break-up, a job loss, or struggling with a chronic health condition, these tough times can take a toll on our mental health. When we’re stuck in a rut, it can be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. That’s where acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) comes in.
So, how can I help with ACT? Here are four ways:
I can help you identify your values.
One of the first steps in ACT is identifying your personal values. This may seem like a daunting task, but our therapists can help you narrow down what’s important to you and how you want to live your life. This clarity can be incredibly motivating and help you make decisions that are in line with your values.
I can help you learn to accept the things you cannot change.
One of the core principles of ACT is acceptance. This doesn’t mean that you have to like the things you can’t change, but it does mean that you can learn to live with them. I will help you develop this skill and find ways to cope with the challenges in your life.
I can help you take action.
Once you’ve identified your values and learned to accept the things you cannot change, it’s time to take action. Together, we’ll come up with a plan to make changes in your life that are in line with your values and help you follow through with your committed action. This may include setting goals, taking steps to change your behavior, or seeking professional help for a chronic health condition.
I can help you maintain your progress.
Like any journey, the path to change is not always smooth. There will be setbacks and challenges along the way. I will be there by your side every step of the way and help you troubleshoot these obstacles so we can keep working towards achieving your goals.
ACT is not a quick fix, and it may take some time to see results. However, many people find that the process of exploring their values and committing to change is very beneficial and increases their quality of life. If you’re considering seeking therapy, give me a call and schedule your free consultation.
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