Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, known as ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), is a form of psychological therapy based on contextual intervention that has been shown to be effective in a wide variety of psychological disorders and problems. emotional. ACT focuses on increasing psychological flexibility, promoting acceptance of unpleasant internal experiences, commitment to personal values, and action in line with these values.
Fundamental Principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
1. Acceptance
One of the fundamental pillars of ACT therapy is acceptance. Instead of trying to eliminate or suppress unpleasant emotions, thoughts or sensations, patients are encouraged to observe and accept them as they are, without judging or fighting against them. The central idea is that fighting these experiences can increase suffering, while acceptance allows them to be experienced in a healthier way.
2. Cognitive Defusion
Cognitive defusion is a technique used in ACT to help people distance themselves from their thoughts and emotions. Instead of completely identifying with their thoughts, patients learn to see them as passing mental events, without needing to act on them. This allows them to have a more flexible relationship with their thinking and reduce the influence they have on their behavior.
3. Contact with the Present Moment
ACT emphasizes the importance of being fully present in the current moment, rather than being stuck in the past or worried about the future. Through various techniques such as mindfulness, patients learn to be aware of their present experiences in a non-critical and open manner, which helps them make more conscious decisions in line with their values.
4. Observing Self
The concept of "observing self" in ACT refers to a person's ability to observe their internal experiences with detachment and compassion. Instead of completely identifying with their thoughts and emotions, the person learns to see them as mental events that come and go, without losing sight of their deeper identity and essential values.
Key Characteristics of Therapy Therapy Acceptance and Commitment
1. Focus on Values
In ACT, patients are encouraged to identify and commit to their personal values, that is, those goals and principles that they consider fundamental in their lives. Therapeutic work focuses on helping patients align their actions and behaviors with these values, which contributes to a greater sense of meaning and well-being.
2. Experiential Exposure
Experiential exposure is a technique used in ACT to help clients confront their fears and challenging internal experiences in a more open and compassionate way. Through gradual and controlled exposure to situations that generate discomfort, acceptance and tolerance towards these experiences is fostered, which in turn reduces avoidance and associated suffering.
3. Psychological Flexibility
One of the main goals of ACT therapy is to foster psychological flexibility, that is, the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and respond effectively to the demands of life. By cultivating acceptance, clarity of values, and committed action, patients can develop greater emotional resilience and a greater ability to cope with the challenges they face.
4. Mindfulness and Committed Action
ACT integrates principles of full attention (mindfulness) with commitment to action. Through the practice of mindfulness, patients learn to be aware of their internal and external experiences in the present moment, allowing them to act more deliberately and consistently with their personal values. The combination of mindfulness and committed action promotes greater emotional well-being and a more authentic and meaningful life.
In summary, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an innovative and effective form of psychological therapy that is focuses on increasing psychological flexibility, promoting acceptance, clarity of values and action committed to those values. By integrating mindfulness techniques, experiential exposure, and values work, ACT offers patients powerful tools to improve their emotional well-being and quality of life.