What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), is a type of therapy used in recovery from addiction and mental health disorders. It combines aspects of traditional behavioral therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

ACT is used to help people change how they react to certain situations and emotions. For example, with help from a therapist, a person can stop fighting and struggling with their unsettling feelings or trauma-based emotions. Instead, the client will start to learn how to take care of themselves, acknowledge these emotions and the reasons behind them, and continue moving forward in life.

Many therapists use ACT to help their clients. Not only does therapy help people struggling with addiction, but it can also help with a range of other disorders such as OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and anxiety.

Why Is ACT Effective?

ACT helps clients do many things to help them better respond and cope, even during painful moments in life. Learning to manage, even when things are hard, is an important part of living a healthy and more fulfilling life.

Working with a therapist helps the client learn about self-defeating thought patterns in relation to their mental health challenges, such as anxiety or a desire to get high. Many people have triggers that set off unpleasant feelings and can trigger a person to act a certain way.

Therapy helps people understand these issues, accept their feelings, and find a new way to respond.

What Can A Person Expect In Acceptance And Commitment Therapy?

Therapists work with individuals to help them understand their challenges. But unfortunately, much of these challenges are surrounded by negative self-talk. This self-talk causes inappropriate or self-defeating responses to people, places, and things.

If you are looking for therapy to help you overcome or accept the past, ACT may be the right type of therapy for you. People who participate in substance abuse programs typically receive more than one type of therapy.

Using ACT, you may learn affirmations, practice mindfulness, or even act out specific scenarios to learn new ways to respond. Again, the focus is on helping you empower yourself to overcome challenging emotions and experiences.

Acceptance and commitment therapy does not encourage clients to suppress their emotions or avoid painful feelings because this ultimately can cause more harm and pain.

Getting Help for Addiction

If you or somebody you love struggles with substance use, you’re not alone. We’re here to help you start reclaiming your life! Learn more about our programs by calling us at 619-363-4767.