What is ACT?

ACT stands for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, a form of psychotherapy focused on increasing psychological flexibility and promoting a meaningful and valuable life. It is based on the theory that avoiding uncomfortable thoughts, emotions, and experiences ultimately leads to more suffering and limitation. By taking committed action, formed based on your values, one becomes unhooked from negative thoughts and/or emotions.

Although ACT might seem like a ‘new method,’ it has been around for over 40 years, and there is a substantial history of research and proven effectiveness from a scientific perspective.

ACT aims to enhance one’s psychological flexibility, which refers to the capacity to consciously act in accordance with values, even in the presence of uncomfortable thoughts and emotions. It emphasizes the importance of directing attention to the present moment, cultivating acceptance, defusing thoughts from their literal meaning (cognitive defusion), and taking committed action.

The Benefits of ACT Coaching

ACT Coaching can offer various benefits and positive changes for individuals. Some of the advantages of ACT Coaching are:

1. Improved psychological flexibility: Developing psychological flexibility enables one to consciously handle thoughts, emotions, and circumstances while acting in line with values and goals. Increased psychological flexibility can lead to greater resilience and adaptability to change.

2. Reduction of avoidance behavior: ACT encourages accepting uncomfortable thoughts, emotions, and experiences instead of avoiding them. This can help break patterns of avoidance, ultimately creating more room for growth and flourishing.

3. Enhanced self-awareness: ACT prompts individuals to become aware of their thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations in the present moment. This deepens self-awareness and helps people better understand how their inner experiences influence their behavior.

4. Improved stress management skills: ACT provides techniques and strategies to cope with stress and difficulties. Cultivating acceptance, mindfulness, and values-driven action can help individuals develop more effective coping mechanisms and reduce stress.

5. Increased well-being and life satisfaction: By consciously attending to values and goals and taking action aligned with those values, people can experience a sense of meaning and fulfillment in their lives. ACT helps individuals find more fulfillment and satisfaction, even amidst challenges.

ACT and Coaching

ACT can be highly effective in treating various mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, addiction, trauma, and chronic pain. This is normally the aim of an ACT therapist. In the role of a Life Coach, ACT can be applied for personal growth, setting goals based on personal values, and promoting overall mental well-being. In this regard, I offer ACT Coaching and can wholeheartedly recommend it for those seeking positive personal development.

Sessions

The sessions last approximately one and a half hours and can be booked in packages of at least four sessions. The sessions are conducted online, so you don’t need to leave your home!

Ready to Get Started?

Now that you have more information about ACT and what to expect, if it resonates with you, we can arrange single or a series of sessions based on your needs. The minimum is four sessions, and we can always assess if more sessions are necessary.