Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a mindfulness-based therapeutic approach focused on helping individuals develop psychological flexibility and live a values-driven life. Our psychologists in Calgary specialize in ACT to assist clients in overcoming challenges and fostering meaningful change.

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Key Components of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT):

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• Acceptance: ACT encourages clients to accept their thoughts, emotions, and experiences without judgment or avoidance. Rather than struggling against difficult feelings, clients learn to make room for them and approach them with openness and compassion.

• Cognitive Defusion: Clients learn techniques to "defuse" from unhelpful thoughts and beliefs, recognizing them as passing mental events rather than objective truths. By distancing themselves from their thoughts, clients gain greater clarity and flexibility in their thinking.

• Mindfulness: ACT incorporates mindfulness practices to help clients cultivate present-moment awareness and nonjudgmental attention to their experiences. Mindfulness techniques enhance self-awareness, emotional regulation, and overall well-being.

• Values Clarification: Clients identify their core values – the qualities and experiences they deem most important and meaningful in life. Clarifying values provides clients with a guiding compass for making decisions and setting goals aligned with their deepest aspirations.

• Committed Action: ACT emphasizes taking committed action toward valued goals, even in the presence of discomfort or uncertainty. Clients learn to move forward in life with purpose and intention, overcoming obstacles that may arise along the way.