written by Joe Oliver I have a soft spot for self-help. Like many psychologists, I sometimes joke about the industry: the endless promises of transformation, the catchy titles that sound like life hacks, and the fact that it is a multi-billion pound business projected to double again by 2030. If self-help really worked, you might […]
Living with a chronic health condition involves more than managing physical symptoms; it often requires a deep, ongoing process of psychological and identity adjustment. For many clients, this includes confronting uncertainty, navigating role loss, renegotiating identity, as well as living with their symptoms. This article looks at how acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) can offer […]
From a client perspective, the terms “therapist” and “counsellor” are often used interchangeably, which can sometimes lead to confusion. While both roles involve supporting individuals in improving their mental health and emotional wellbeing, there are distinctions in their focus, training, and scope of practice. Understanding and explaining these differences can help ensure that our clients […]
As ACT therapists, we understand that insomnia is not just about the physical inability to sleep; it’s deeply intertwined with a client’s thoughts, emotions, and responses to their experience of sleeplessness. When clients struggle with insomnia, they often become entangled in self-critical or fear-driven thoughts, which only amplifies the problem and makes their daily struggles […]
Written by Dr Ben Sedley Ahead of our ACT for teens with OCD workshop, Dr Ben Sedley has written us a short piece about how exposure and response prevention (ERP) can work alongside acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to enhance outcomes for clients with OCD. The brave but cautious knight came to a fork in […]
As ACT practitioners, we’re no strangers to helping clients turn toward their pain, make room for discomfort, and live more fully in line with their values. But what happens when shame and self-criticism are so entrenched that clients struggle even to begin this process? A new study by Kleiman et al. (2025), published in Frontiers […]
In psychological practice, especially within an ACT framework, “end of life” refers to the period leading up to death, often involving terminal illness or limited life expectancy. People in this phase may experience fear, sadness, regret, isolation, or a search for meaning, and often seek therapy to process these emotions, strengthen relationships, and come to […]
It’s a moment many therapists will recognise. A client takes a breath, their voice shakes, and they say: “I’m sorry for getting emotional. I’m overreacting.” For ACT practitioners, this is more than a passing comment; it’s a doorway into important therapeutic work. This article looks at the reasons why clients might apologise for their emotions, […]
Why we think it resonates When it comes to popular culture phenomena, few franchises have had as much of a long-lasting impact as Pokémon. From video games and trading cards to TV shows and films, Pokémon has captured the attention of people across the globe for decades now. But beyond its entertainment value, Pokémon is […]
Sometimes the simplest tools and techniques can help us uncover profound truths. One such tool is the non-dominant handwriting exercise, a powerful experiential practice designed to evoke raw, primal emotions and encourage deeper self-awareness. What is the exercise? At its core, this exercise is deceptively simple: participants are asked a series of questions and asked […]
At Contextual Consulting we are passionate about ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) as a unique and dynamic approach to creating meaningful change. Have you noticed though, that over time, we tend to develop some distinctive habits and sayings, plus own a collection of props and tools that reflect the approach too. Our team listed a […]
Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) remains the first-line treatment for chronic insomnia, but it is not a panacea. Non-response and attrition rates remain high, and certain populations struggle to adhere to its counterintuitive behavioural strategies, such as sleep restriction and stimulus control. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), with its emphasis on experiential acceptance and […]
What are physical health problems? When we discuss physical health problems we generally refer to chronic health conditions, long-term illnesses, or health issues that significantly impact one’s lifestyle. While these may be categorised as physical health, the overlap with mental health is well-documented. For an individual who has been used to leading an active and […]
with Mavis Tsai Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP), founded by Mavis Tsai, alongside the late Robert Kohlenberg, PhD, ABPP. is a transformative approach that fosters deep, meaningful relationships between therapists and clients. What makes FAP truly unique is its focus on understanding and addressing the client’s real-life struggles as they manifest during therapy. In this blog, […]
Worry, rumination,, and obsessive thinking are common experiences that can consume us without us even realising it. We get caught up in our thoughts so quickly and automatically that we don’t notice what’s happening until we’ve spent hours lost in thought, trying to solve problems, deal with emotions, predict the future, and make ourselves feel […]
You can unsubscribe at anytime. Read our full privacy policy here: Privacy policy
