

They learn to remain present with the physical sensations that accompany their emotions, such as tightness in the chest, rapid heartbeat, or a sinking feeling in the stomach. Therefore, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy exercises help young adults develop skills for reframing negative thoughts and behavior.Īn ACT therapist guides Acceptance and Commitment Therapy exercises that help young adults to focus on their breathing and become aware of their thoughts and feelings, rather than avoiding them. Instead of trying to control our emotions and experiences, we can change the way we think about and react to them. Rather than setting out to solve problems or reach an expected outcome or goal, an ACT treatment plan helps clients understand that psychological pain is a universal experience. Since that time, a growing body of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy research has demonstrated the efficacy of this approach for clients of all ages. Hence, he believed that we find fulfillment and thriving when we face and accept difficult emotions as well as joyful ones.Īcceptance and Commitment Therapy is built on the Relational Frame Theory, which proposes that humans’ ability to relate is the foundation of language and cognition. Hayes viewed suffering as an unavoidable and essential part of being human. Hayes, PhD, a psychology professor at the University of Nevada. The history of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy began in the 1980s, when ACT was formulated by Steven C. The first wave was aimed toward changing unwanted behaviors without looking at the thoughts behind those behaviors, and the second wave included approaches such as CBT and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). Hence, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy techniques emphasize acceptance rather than avoidance.ĪCT is part of what’s known as the “third wave” of behavioral therapies, which also includes Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy?ĪCT is a type of mindfulness-based therapy that encourages people to embrace their thoughts and feelings rather than pushing them away, running from them, or feeling guilty about them.
