What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?

What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and what is psychological flexibility?

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a model of behaviour change rooted in Contextual Behavioral Science.

It is a contemporary Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) that uses mindfulness and acceptance processes to help a person pursue more meaningful and fulfilling habits.

ACT and CBS aim to alleviate suffering and enhance wellbeing. Comprised of six interrelated behavioural processes, ACT helps you to adapt to the changing contexts in your life. We humans easily get caught up with arbitrary rules about how to control our emotions. Early in life, we develop stories about 'who' we are and they can hold you instead of you holding many stories about who you are.

Watch this short video by ACBS peer-reviewed ACT Trainer, Jim Lucas. Jim is an ACT Trainer and CBT Psychotherapist.

He runs a psychology enterprise called Openforwards CBT & Counselling based in Birmingham, UK. And, he teaches trainee therapists at the University of Birmingham.

Jim's speciality is helping CBT Practitioners integrate ACT into their practice.