Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is about helping people to relate to their thoughts and feelings in a more flexible and effective ways and to focus their attention on living well, in line with their deepest values.  ACT has been shown to be useful in treating anxiety, depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, trauma, couples distress and personality disorders.

The goal of ACT is to maximize your potential for a rich, full and meaningful life by teaching you mindfulness skills to deal with painful thoughts and feelings so that they have much less impact and influence over you. This process involves clarifying what is truly important and meaningful to you to inspire, motivate and guide you to live your life to the fullest.

Acceptance: Encouraging individuals to accept their thoughts, feelings, and sensations as they are, without trying to suppress or control them.

Cognitive Defusion: Helping individuals to step back from their thoughts and view them objectively, rather than getting caught up in them.

Being Present: Encouraging individuals to stay focused on the present moment, rather than getting lost in the past or future.

Self-as-Context: Helping individuals to view themselves as a larger context, rather than defining themselves solely by their thoughts, feelings, or experiences.

Values: Helping individuals to identify their core values and pursue a life that is in line with those values.

Committed Action: Encouraging individuals to take action towards their values, even in the face of obstacles and difficulties.

Acceptance of your painful thoughts and feelings allows you to focus more clearly on the present and to take the steps that move you closer to the life you truly want to live.