Clients come to our offices to feel better. But to be human is to know pain–especially insofar as pain points toward what matters to us (we don’t worry about Netflix going out of business, we worry about our loved ones, careers, or the planet). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) teaches clients to live better even if they don’t feel better. Using six core processes, ACT builds psychological flexibility so clients we can let go of the fight against pain, stop being bullied by their inner critics, imposter voices, and ‘I’m not good enough’ stories, and move toward a life worth living–one characterized by meaning, purpose, and vitality. ACT has become increasingly popular as evidence has mounted supporting its efficacy for a number of clinical presentations (e.g., anxiety, depression, tinnitus, chronic pain, interpersonal issues, psychosis and more). Its focus on values and use of metaphors and experiential exercises brings ACT to life in salient and meaningful ways.
