Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a relatively new form of behavioural therapy that combines acceptance and mindfulness strategies to help with psychological problems and unhealthy patterns in clients' personal and working lives.  

ACT therapy takes the view that by accepting negative thoughts and feelings, individuals can choose a valuable direction in which to take action and make positive changes.

In this way, acceptance and commitment therapy does not aim to directly change or stop unwanted problems and experiences. Instead it teaches individuals to develop a mindful relationship with them, promoting a psychological flexibility that encourages healthy contact with thoughts, reconnection with the here and now, realisation of personal values, and commitment to behaviour change.

ACT might particularly appeal to those who are striving to live authentically and in-line with their values. Acceptance and commitment therapy can be considered a training in a particular mindset or approach as much as a type of therapy.

Acceptance and commitment therapy explicitly acknowledges that avoiding our problems doesn't work, and in fact often makes our suffering worse. Non-avoidance can be very anxiety-provoking, but often once the first steps have been taken it can be liberating.

A session of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy may follow certain steps, including:

Reviewing the week

This is done with the aim of identifying events that do and do not fit in with the client's identified values

Assessing behaviours from the week

What behaviours were triggered as a result of these events? Do these fit in with the client's values or not?

Using the six ACT processes

Using these processes to help the client have a better chance of acting in line with their values in the future.