ACT Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is an off shoot of Clinical Mindfulness and has a lot in common with methods like MBSR and MBCT and another off shoot called DBT.
What is ACT used for ?
ACT focuses on improving client functioning when they have a condition such as anxiety, complex trauma or an disorder such as an eating disorder. Typical areas addressed include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Stress
- Disorders
- Trauma recovery
- Other Mental Health Disorders
What is ACT?
ACT is a combination of psychological education or psychoeducation, where the client is trained to use new self management methods, new self regulation methods and new personal narrative methods. in other words the client learns how to be self compassionate, to take responsibility and personal power, to self regulate, and to enjoy more supporttive behaviours and perceptions.
Does ACT work?
ACT is a relatively new field, but is also subject to a huge number of research projects, and therefore the evidence is growing fast.
According to Manlick et al (2020) ACT helps clients deal with emotional avoidance. It mproves functioning and provides a reduction in symptoms in clients with eating disorders. According to Byrne et al (2020) ACT improved functioning, caused lower levels of depression, anxiety and stress in parents.
Manlick, C.F., Cochran, S.V. and Koon, J. (2013). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Literature Review. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 43, 115-122.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-012-9223-7
Byrne, G., Ghrada, A.N., O’Mahony, T. and Brennan, E. (2020). A systematic review of the use of acceptance and commitment therapy in supporting parents. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 94 (52), 378- 407.
https://doi.org/10.1111/papt.12282