Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
A therapeutic approach that focuses on accepting difficult emotions rather than trying to eliminate them, while committing to actions aligned with personal values.
Details
What Is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?
ACT is a therapy aimed at building psychological flexibility. Rather than trying to control uncomfortable thoughts and emotions, it involves practicing acceptance of them as they are while acting in accordance with one’s values.
The perspective is not “I need to feel better before I can act,” but rather “I can do what matters even when I don’t feel good.”
The Six Core Processes of ACT
Background of ACT
ACT was developed by Steven C. Hayes in the 1980s and is grounded in Relational Frame Theory (RFT). It belongs to the “third wave” of cognitive-behavioral therapies and is scientifically supported across diverse domains including depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and addiction.
The core message of ACT is that suffering itself is not the problem; rather, attempts to avoid suffering are what narrow one’s life. One can move toward a valued life even while carrying uncomfortable emotions.
💡 Real-Life Example
Rather than trying to eliminate anxiety before a presentation, thinking “I feel anxious, but this presentation matters to me” and proceeding with the talk.
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This content is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical diagnosis.