Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based treatment that derives its name from what is at the very core of its function: to accept and commit.
Instead of pushing away or fighting with unpleasant emotions, ACT challenges people to focus on accepting them and more clearly understanding why they exist. Doing this can more effectively address those issues at the root of their addiction or mental health disorder, teaching individuals how to cope with their emotions in healthier ways.
How Does ACT Work?
ACT helps individuals in the following ways:
- Acceptance: ACT teaches individuals the concepts of acceptance and flexibility. With these skills, individuals can work through their unpleasant emotions rather than resist them.
- Emotional Distancing: This encourages individuals to take stock of their emotions in a more objective manner.
- Presence: This is about living in the moment, being aware of what is happening in the present, and practicing controlling thoughts and worries about the past and the future.
- Self-perspective: This component helps clients focus on a state of constant mindfulness.
- Identification of Personal Values: This component challenges individuals identify their personal values and what’s important to them to live a healthier life.
- Commitment: A vital part of ACT, this component consists of individuals committing themselves to embodying the values they’ve chosen as meaningful to them.
A simple example illustrating how ACT works can be as elementary as someone changing one word in the story that a person may be telling themselves. Suppose someone is struggling with anxiety in anticipation of a social event. One might think to themself, “I want to go to the conference, but I’m too anxious to meet colleagues I’ve only spoken with on the phone.”
Instead, ACT asks individuals to adjust their mindsets. In this example, the individual should think of their fear in terms of, “I want to go to the conference, AND I’m anxious to meet my colleagues.” Just one small verbal shift can lead to a new outlook on the situation.
ACT asks individuals to see situations more objectively, giving them the tools to accept what’s happening in the present moment and working with what can be changed (e.g., their perspective).
What Is the Evidence Behind ACT?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association (SAMHSA) recognizes ACT as an evidence-based treatment. ACT, which was developed in the late 80s by Steven C. Hayes, PhD, has been the subject of several randomized studies over the past few decades.
The American Psychological Association accepts ACT as a valid part of treatment for a variety of mental health disorders, including anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), severe depression, impulsivity, eating disorders, and substance abuse and addiction.
ACT at Clearview Treatment Programs
Clearview incorporates ACT in our residential programs for addiction with co-occurring mental health and women’s mental health, and in our outpatient treatment program. During individual and group therapy sessions, our trained ACT therapists help our clients adjust negative thought processes, emotions, and possibly damaging behavior to live healthier and more productive lives.