Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

My perspective on Acceptance & Commitment Therapy is that it's about learning to accept your thoughts and feelings for what they are (rather than trying to change or eliminate them), and continue doing what matters to you. This looks very difference for each client, but among the core ideas are "Cognitive Defusion" - learning to distinguish thoughts and feelings from reality, and "Committed Actions" towards the things that you value.

This is the main modality of treatment that I utilize.

ACT promotes the idea that thoughts, feelings or circumstances that cause feelings of discomfort—such as pain, grief, disappointment or anxiety—are inevitable. Often we try to suppress these feelings which only leads to further suffering. Instead, we learn to recognize and welcome all experiences, accepting them as they are while committing to actions that are in line with our values. This style of therapy utilizes mindfulness to develop this cognitive flexibility.

The present moment is sometimes the best we can offer not only the world around us, but to ourselves. Following the six processes of ACT can help us realize what the moment has to offer and how we can move forward towards our north star.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on recognize that pain and obstacles are a part of life and something we cannot ignore but can surely overcome. ACT aims to create more acceptance towards life's challenges and reducing suffering associated with painful experiences. It also encourages being in the here and now, being present and mindful. ACT also encourages and teaches the significance of living a values-driven life to create overall satisfaction and emotional well-being.

ACT was my first love and the modality that spoke to me the most when I first started. What I really like about it is the flexibility it gives me and my clients while, at the same time, being super comprehensive. ACT assumes that to get stuck is the most human thing to do - everyone gets stuck at some point in their lives. Difficult feelings and thoughts are part of the human experience, and how we interact with them is crucial and can mean the difference between suffering and doing well.

ACT adopts the view that there are valid alternatives to trying to change the way you think, including mindful behavior, attention to personal values, and commitment to action. By taking steps to change your behavior while, at the same time, learning to accept your psychological experiences, you can eventually change your attitude and emotional state. I have obtained extensive training in ACT through continuing education and peer counseling.

While CBT is a great building block, ACT has been more effective for me and my clients in navigating the stressors of daily life and of minority stress issues.

Many people get frustrated in therapy by seeking "the answer" to their problems, building insight into their suffering with the idea that this insight will "fix" them. ACT is different, because rather than looking backward, it focuses on the present moment. ACT is heavily grounded in mindfulness and self-awareness in the present moment. This approach grounds clients and helps quiet their minds allowing for more meaningful engagement in their lives.

It can be natural and even healthy to avoid pain. However, when we begin to avoid and ignore our own suffering and internal experience we rob ourselves often of the awareness and drive to take meaningful and committed actions to experience change. My goal is to help you accept the painful aspects of life. If we treat our lives as something fixed as opposed to something to be lived we can spend all of our time trying to eliminate something rather than live.

I am an ACT practitioner having studied for past 5+ years and find incorporating value based living to be vital to success and well-being of clients and myself. Using mindfulness based approach and gentle awareness of our current processes, ACT supports others in learning different ways of relating to thoughts and feelings and engaging in living their best life.

We can work together to accept uncomfortable emotions/physical symptoms rather than act harsh towards them. Our emotions, although sometimes misguided, are trying to help us and we can take a more thankful/flexible attitude of allowing them to be there even though they are very unpleasant. Self compassion is powerful!

We experience challenging feelings for a reason. I find that ACT helps us to make peace with these inner experiences and, rather than fighting against them, helps us to accept and use them as we move forward in our lives.

ACT is a type of mindful psychotherapy that helps you to tay focused on the present moment and to accept thoughts and feelings without judgement. Being a yoga studio owner for 10 years, brings knowledge and experience in mindfulness. Ina ddition to individual sessions, I offer group therapy for anxiety that offers a unique setting including meditation, yoga and group processing which results in feeling more understood, and less isolated with what you are experiencin

I have completed 12 clinical training hours in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

In session I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help individuals facing relationship issues, narcissistic abuse, and depression. ACT helps you accept difficult emotions, reduce emotional suffering, and build resilience. By focusing on your values and taking mindful actions, we guide you to set boundaries, rebuild self-worth, and foster healthier connections.

ACT is another mindfulness based therapy that is focused on bringing your daily actions into alignment with your values. ACT can help people reduce avoidant tendencies, reduce the influence of troublesome thoughts/urges, and become more aware of the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that can keep you feeling "stuck".