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804.415.7603Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based treatment that derives its name from what’s 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 working to more clearly understand why they exist. Doing this helps each client more effectively address the issues at the root of their eating disorder, teaching them how to cope with their emotions in healthier ways.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) forms the basis for ACT. In treatment, clients gradually learn to stop the avoiding behaviors they often use when faced with problems. Instead of denying or ignoring difficulties, they learn to recognize and confront them. Only when they acknowledge an issue can they move forward.
Overview of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT Components
- 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 to 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.
With the assistance of a skilled therapist, each client learns that it’s counterproductive to ignore their problems and suppress their emotions. They learn self-compassion instead of always judging themselves harshly.
