Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Association for Contextual Behavioral Science

Program Type

Treatment or Direct Services Program

Cost

$500 or less

Evidence Type

Empirically-Defined Evidence

SPRC Comprehensive Approach

Effective Care/Treatment

Program or Intervention Summary

ACT is a contextually focused form of cognitive behavioral psychotherapy that uses mindfulness and behavioral activation to increase a client’s psychological flexibility—their ability to engage in values-based, positive behaviors while experiencing difficult thoughts, emotions, or sensations. ACT establishes this through six core processes: Acceptance of private experiences; cognitive defusion (i.e., alter the undesirable functions of thoughts and other private events); being present, a perspective-taking sense of self; identification of values; and commitment to action. The first four processes define the ACT approach to mindfulness, and the last two define the ACT approach to behavioral activation. ACT is delivered to clients in one-on-one sessions, in small groups or larger workshops, or in books or other media, through the presentation of information, dialogue, and the use of metaphors, visualization exercises, and behavioral homework. The number, frequency, and length of the sessions and overall duration of the intervention can vary depending on the needs of the client or treatment provider.

Type Treatment or Direct Services Program
Setting Inpatient mental health facility, Community mental health facility
People Women, Men, Service members, veterans, and their families (SMVF), Low Income, Physical Health Problems/Disabilities, People in Particular Occupations, Other
Languages English, Spanish, Chinese, French, Korean, German, Other Languages
Study Method Quantitative Design
Implementer Requirement Mental health treatment providers
Training Requirement Yes
Delivery Options In-Person
Risk and Protective Factors History of depression and other mental illnesses, Serious illness such as chronic pain, Effective coping and problem-solving skills

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