Life is full of challenges that can feel overwhelming, from managing stress to coping with difficult emotions. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a powerful approach that helps individuals navigate these challenges by fostering mindfulness, acceptance, and values-driven action. At Connections Health, we integrate ACT into our practice to support clients in leading more fulfilling lives.
-
What is ACT?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a modern form of behavioral therapy designed to help individuals embrace their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting or feeling guilty about them. It helps us change our relationship to our thoughts and feelings which impacts our experience of them. It also emphasizes accepting what is out of our control and committing to actions that align with personal values.
-
How ACT Works
- Acceptance: Learning to accept difficult emotions rather than avoiding them.
- Cognitive Defusion: Changing how we relate to thoughts, reducing their power over you.
- Mindfulness: Being present in the moment to fully experience life.
- Values Clarification: Identifying what truly matters to us and using those values to guide our actions rather than being driven by emotions.
- Committed Action: Taking meaningful steps to live according to our values, even in the face of challenges.
-
Benefits of ACT
- Reduced anxiety and depression
- Improved ability to handle stress
- Greater emotional resilience
- Enhanced self-awareness and personal growth
-
Who Can Benefit from ACT?
ACT is highly versatile and effective for individuals experiencing:
- Stress and anxiety
- Depression
- Trauma
- Relationship challenges
- Life transitions
-
How Connections Health Incorporates ACT
At Connections Health, our therapists use ACT to help clients navigate their unique journeys. Whether you’re a college student managing academic stress or someone seeking balance in life, ACT can empower you to face challenges with confidence and purpose.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is not about “fixing” you—it’s about helping you build a meaningful life, no matter the obstacles. If you’re curious about how ACT can work for you, reach out to Connections Health today. Let’s take the first step toward our best self together.
Related Articles
A new academic year often brings a mix of emotions: hope, excitement, uncertainty, and sometimes, anxiety. Whether you’re starting college at Northwestern University or returning to another college in Chicago, it’s common to feel overwhelmed as expectations, social pressures, and responsibilities begin to pile up. At Connections Health, we work with many students—undergraduates, graduate students, [...]
“To love ourselves and support each other in the process of becoming real is perhaps the greatest single act of daring greatly.” — Brené Brown, Daring Greatly We live in a world that values momentum, output, and progress. But healing and personal growth don’t always follow a straight path or a set timeline. If you’re [...]
Self-compassion is an element of the foundation of emotional well-being. It allows you to move through life with greater resilience, confidence, and kindness toward others and yourself. Yet, developing self-compassion isn’t something that happens automatically; it’s a practice intentionally cultivated over time. At Connections Health, we guide clients in building self-compassion as an ongoing, meaningful part [...]