ACT is pronounced like the word “act” and not A-C-T.
It stands for acceptance and commitment training or therapy depending on what context it’s used.
In a nutshell, ACT is a way to help people take action on their values even when unwanted thoughts and feelings show up.
ACT has a rapidly growing research base to support it for a wide variety of painful problems as well as helping people achieve more at work with less stress and strain and more fulfillment.
ACT consists of six skills that can be grouped into three main areas.
Be present
Mindfulness – notice what is happening in the moment from your five senses and what is happening in your body, emotions and thoughts
Observer self – noticing the part of you that notices what is happening.
Open Up
Defusion – The process of unhooking from unhelpful thoughts and feelings.
Acceptance – The process of dropping resistance to unwanted feelings.
Take action
Values – This is who and what is important to you, the kind of person you want to be.
Committed action – Taking action in the direction of who and what is important to you even if unwanted thoughts and feelings show up.
