Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Do you struggle to gather and manage your thoughts and feelings in a healthy way? If so, turn to Mind Centered Counseling in Commack, New York, led by licensed mental health counselor Ashley Villacis, LMHC. Their professionals offer acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), which can help you embrace your thoughts and feelings rather than fight or avoid them. ACT encourages you to live a more meaningful life, even when dealing with difficult emotions. Learn more about ACT by calling the office today or booking an appointment online. The practice also offers telehealth sessions.

What is acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)?

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a form of psychotherapy that encourages you to accept challenging emotions and thoughts rather than seeking to eliminate or avoid them. The goal is to develop psychological flexibility, enabling you to focus on meaningful actions and goals despite your emotional challenges.

At Mind Centered Counseling, the trained professionals use ACT, blending acceptance strategies with mindfulness techniques and commitment to promote positive behavioral change.

What issues does acceptance and commitment therapy address?

ACT is effective for many psychological problems. It’s commonly used to treat:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stress
• Chronic pain
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Substance misuse
• Eating disorders
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

ACT can also be beneficial if you’re dealing with grief, self-esteem challenges, relationship issues, or life transitions.

How does acceptance and commitment therapy work?

ACT operates on the belief that attempting to control or suppress painful emotions and psychological experiences is counterproductive and often increases distress.

Instead of trying to change how you think, ACT offers alternative approaches, like practicing mindfulness, focusing on personal values, and committing to action. Changing your behaviors while accepting internal experiences can gradually shift your emotional state and attitude.

Your practitioner provides mindfulness exercises, experiential activities, and reflective discussions. They emphasize accepting experiences and creating a values-driven life instead of being controlled by unwanted thoughts and emotions.

What results can I expect from acceptance and commitment therapy?

You can expect to develop greater emotional resilience and psychological flexibility with ACT. Over time, you could experience eased anxiety, depression, or stress as you learn to accept and live with your difficult emotions.

ACT also empowers you to live a more fulfilling life by lining up what you do with what you feel or hold dear, resulting in improved mental well-being, greater self-awareness, and better relationships. ACT’s effectiveness often leads to long-lasting positive change.

If you have mental health concerns and want to learn if you’re someone who could benefit from ACT, book an appointment today at Mind Centered Counseling. Call the friendly staff during business hours to check availability or use the online scheduling feature.