Have you ever been to therapy but just found it all to hard to apply in every day life? Or left feeling there is something wrong with you? I have! My quest for personal growth and emotional wellbeing finally led me to Mindfulness and then to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Although ACT isn’t the only effective therapy available, for me it created such a significant shift it continues to underpin my work as a counsellor and psychotherapist. And like most experienced ACT therapists it is integral to how I live life today.
You see “ACT isn’t just a therapy for the counselling room, its a way of living.”
SO WHAT IS ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT THERAPY AND HOW CAN IT HELP YOU?
The focus of ACT is to increase your psychological flexibility. This means loosening up around your thoughts and emotions, and taking action based on your values rather than your impulses, thoughts and feelings.
ACT reduces the negative symptoms of anxiety, depression, and issues related to self-esteem, and improvements are longer lasting than than the typical approach of CBT. The Mindfulness component promotes less emotional distress, more positive states of mind, and better quality of life. In addition, it has a positive effect on the nervous system, stress hormones, and the immune system.
When it comes to chronic pain ACT has been found to significantly reduce levels of depression, pain intensity, pain-related anxiety, and physical and psychosocial disability. These results include conditions such as Fibromyalgia.
With eating disorders it is just as a effective as the usual treatments. However, clients receiving Acceptance and Commitment Therapy have been found to have lower rates of rehospitalizations.
SO HOW DOES ACT WORK
1. As an ACT client you learn how to manage those difficult thoughts and feelings we all have. Learning Mindfulness skills is a key part of this process.
“The mind loves telling stories; in fact, it never stops.” ~ Russ Harris
2. You become more Accepting of what you can’t control, and develop Self-compassion.
The need to control outcomes and situations contributes to anxiety. Whereas, allowing things to be as they are and focusing on what you can control frees you up to make positive choices in your life.
“We cannot change anything until we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses.” ~ Carl Jung
3. You discover what really matters to you, your Values. This is about how you want to behave and interact with people you care about. So even if you don’t achieve a specific outcome, life is still meaningful.
3. You take effective Action inline with your values. It doesn’t mean some of those pesky thoughts and emotions won’t turn up, its being able to take action in-spite of them turning up. Getting unstuck and living life the way you have dreamed of.
“When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less important whether I am afraid.” ~ Audre Lorde
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is about healing, growing and living your best life.
Lets Talk
If you want to learn more effective ways to manage the stress’s in your life, then please call me for a Free 15 minute consultation. We can talk about what is going on for you and I can answer any questions you might have. If I am with a client I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Lets Talk
If you want to learn more effective ways to manage the stress’s in your life, then please call me for a Free 15 minute consultation. We can talk about what is going on for you and I can answer any questions you might have. If I am with a client I will get back to you as soon as I can.
or if you are ready to book now
Mindfulness Quiz:
How present are you in your life?
Mindfulness Quiz:
How present are you in your life?
GROWING THROUGH ADVERSITY
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