ACT
ACT stands for “Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.”
ACT is a behavioural treatment that is based on the idea that suffering comes not from the experience of emotional pain but from our attempted avoidance of that pain. It is used as a treatment for PTSD and other mental health disorders.
Its overarching goal is to help people be open to and willing to have their inner experiences while focusing attention not on trying to escape or avoid pain (because this is impossible to do) but instead, on living a meaningful life.
If you’d like to discuss your concerns or book an appointment, call us on 0114 383 0004.
How ACT Could Be Applied
For example, a person who has experienced a sexual assault may fear or have anxiety about getting into relationships again despite the fact that they may value closeness and intimacy.
In ACT, the person would be encouraged to engage in behaviours consistent with those values (for example, reconnecting with an old friend) while being willing and open to whatever anxiety may come up as a result. By not avoiding that anxiety, it will not get worse and will be less likely to get in the way of the pursuit of a meaningful life.