Highly skilled ACT practitioners bring creativity, nuance, and a deep understanding of psychological flexibility to their therapeutic work. Beyond the foundational ACT processes, advanced practitioners refine their skills to address complex and rigid client patterns, using subtle yet powerful techniques that help clients move toward meaningful, values-guided lives. These therapists artfully blend metaphors, mindfulness, values, […]
Metaphors are a cornerstone of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), offering a way to help clients connect with their experiences in a meaningful and transformative way. However, a well-used metaphor is more than just a creative expression or a clever analogy—it requires precision and purpose. For metaphors to be truly effective, the clinician must have […]
In the therapeutic space, the relationship between therapist and client is central to healing and growth. Functional analytic psychotherapy (FAP) emphasises this relationship, offering a powerful behavioural framework built on awareness, courage, and love. Crucially, FAP recognises the dual responsibility of the therapist: to provide a safe and nurturing connection while also challenging and disrupting […]
Living with a physical health condition comes with a unique set of challenges – not just the symptoms themselves, but also the unhelpful beliefs and myths surrounding what it means to live well with a health condition. These myths can keep people stuck, disconnected, or disheartened, making it harder for them to move forward in […]
Rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD) is a term that has gained traction in recent years, particularly in discussions surrounding mental health and emotional well-being. It is not diagnostic in itself but instead refers to an intense emotional response to perceived rejection or criticism, often leading to feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. For individuals with […]
Neurodivergence, which includes autism spectrum condition, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, and dyspraxia, brings unique strengths. It can also bring its own unique difficulties. Unfortunately, neurodivergent adolescents often face barriers in accessing timely support, impacting their mental health, education, and overall well-being. This was the focus of the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST), […]
The underlying themes everyone is talking about Adolescence as a part of the lifespan is a wild ride; messy, beautiful and often confusing. Netflix’s series Adolescence captures this pivotal life stage with raw honesty, showing the emotional lows of teenage years and the current context of being a teen, at least in the UK. But […]
Anyone that already uses ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) will understand that it is a powerful approach, emphasising psychological flexibility and the ability to engage with the present moment. However, while many practitioners will know of, and start with these basics, the journey to mastering ACT can sometimes stagnate. For example, we might use the […]
Written by Dr Ray Owen You might have heard the saying, “There’s nothing so useful as a good theory.” In an area like grief, where there are numerous theories – some well known – it can sometimes feel like there’s a gap between understanding the models and knowing what you can actually do to help […]
In the workplace, women often face unique challenges. While men and women are equally capable, societal expectations, organisational experiences, and life events such as menopause, fertility, and family responsibilities can create different outcomes for women. In honour of International Women’s Day 2025 (8th March 2025) and the theme for this year being ‘accelerate action’ we […]
You don’t necessarily need to know emotional efficacy therapy (EET) to do ACT, but understanding EET can enhance your application of ACT, especially when working with clients who struggle with emotional regulation. Here’s why: 1. ACT addresses emotions broadly; EET addresses emotions in a specific, detailed and structured manner ACT helps clients change their relationship […]
Living with long-term physical health conditions can be challenging, often leading to feelings of frustration, anxiety, and self-criticism. For individuals with long term health conditions, we often find the presenting concern (e.g. chronic pain) and then the secondary consequences of this. These can be far reaching, e.g. avoidance, frustration / irritation, impact on relationships, and […]
Some papers that caught our eye! Women have made remarkable contributions to science, breaking barriers and challenging societal norms to advance knowledge and innovation. This is very true for the ACT community, and the contribution of women in ACT has been invaluable. In honour of International Day of Women and Girls in Science (February 11th) […]
Yvonne Barnes-Holmes is a highly accomplished academic and clinician who has made significant contributions to the field of psychology. She has over 20 years of experience in teaching, training, publishing, and presenting. Before co-founding Perspectives Ireland, she was an Associate Professor in Behaviour Analysis and a Senior Research Fellow at Ghent University. In this article […]
Mindfulness has become a buzzword in recent years, but it’s not immune to its fair share of stereotypes and misconceptions. These stereotypes can cloud the understanding of what mindfulness truly is and hinder clients from fully experiencing its benefits. We wanted to take the opportunity to debunk some of the common myths about mindfulness, reminding […]
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