Find Counselors, Therapists Specializing in Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)

Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of psychotherapy that is rooted in mindfulness and acceptance-based approaches. It is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that focuses on helping individuals to accept and commit to their experiences while still taking action towards their values and goals.

ACT was developed in the 1980s by Steven C. Hayes, Kelly Wilson, and Kirk Strosahl, and it has since become a popular form of therapy for a wide range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and substance abuse.

The foundation of ACT is based on six core principles:

Acceptance: Rather than trying to avoid or control unpleasant experiences, individuals learn to accept them as they are, without judgment or avoidance.
Cognitive Defusion: ACT aims to help individuals see their thoughts as just thoughts, rather than as objective truths that must be acted on.
Present Moment Awareness: Mindfulness is an important aspect of ACT, and individuals are encouraged to focus on the present moment, rather than getting caught up in past or future concerns.
Self-as-Context: ACT emphasizes the importance of viewing oneself as a process, rather than a fixed entity or label.
Values: Individuals are encouraged to clarify their values and identify what is important to them in life.
Committed Action: ACT emphasizes taking action towards goals and values, even in the presence of uncomfortable thoughts and feelings.

In ACT, therapists work with clients to help them develop psychological flexibility, which is the ability to adapt and respond to various situations and experiences with openness and willingness. This is achieved through a range of mindfulness and acceptance-based techniques, as well as cognitive restructuring and behavioral activation.

Some of the techniques used in ACT include mindfulness meditation, metaphors, values clarification, and experiential exercises. ACT is often delivered in a group format, but it can also be delivered in individual therapy.

Overall, ACT is a unique approach to therapy that encourages individuals to accept their experiences and work towards their values, rather than trying to change or control their thoughts and emotions. By building psychological flexibility, individuals can learn to live a rich and meaningful life, even in the face of adversity.

Find Counselors, Therapists Specializing in Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)

What are the benefits of a free consultation?

Getting to know the psychologist: You can talk to the psychologist to see if they are a good fit for you in terms of their work style, personality, and specialization.

Defining the problem: You can describe your problem in detail and get qualified advice from the psychologist, which will help you better understand the nature of your problem.

Developing a plan of action: You can get recommendations on how to solve your problem, which methods and approaches may be the most effective.

Feeling supported: You can get emotional support and feel that you are not alone, because the psychologist will listen to you attentively.

Who is a free consultation suitable for?

Those looking for a psychologist: A free consultation can help you make the right choice, as you can talk to several psychologists before making a final decision.

Those who are unsure whether they need psychotherapy: A free consultation can help you understand whether psychotherapy can help you solve your problem and whether it is right for you.

Those who have a limited budget: A free consultation is an opportunity to get qualified help from a psychologist for free, to see if you need further psychotherapy.

Those who may be nervous or hesitant to start psychotherapy: A free consultation gives you the opportunity to overcome your fear of the first meeting with a psychologist, get answers to your questions, and feel more confident.

Important:

A free consultation is not a substitute for psychotherapy.

In a free consultation, the psychologist cannot give you a final diagnosis or prescribe treatment.

The purpose of a free consultation is to help you determine if a psychologist and psychotherapy are right for you, and to give you the first steps to solving your problem.

Potential benefits of a free initial consultation

During this first session: potential clients have the chance to learn more about you and your approach before agreeing to work together.

Offering a free consultation will help you build trust with the client. It shows them that you want to give them a chance to make sure you are the right person to help them before they move forward. Additionally, you should also be confident that you can support your clients and that the client has problems that you can help them cope with. Also, you can avoid any ethical difficult situations about charging a client for a session in which you choose not to proceed based on fit.

We've found that people are more likely to proceed with therapy after a free consultation, as it lowers the barrier to starting the process. Many people starting therapy are apprehensive about the unknown, even if they've had sessions before. Our culture associates a "risk-free" mindset with free offers, helping people feel more comfortable during the initial conversation with a specialist.

It's important to note that the initial consultation differs from a typical therapy session:

It can last from 15 to 30 minutes, with the specialist determining the appropriate length for this introductory meeting.

The free initial consultation is not intended to be a full therapy session. It is an opportunity for the client to learn more about the specialist and their approach to therapy, and to decide whether they want to work together.

The specialist should set clear boundaries for the free initial consultation, including the length of the session and the topics that can be discussed.

The specialist should be prepared to answer questions from the client about their experience, training, and qualifications.