Articles that explore approaches and modalities around acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and also complementary/alternative therapies and models that can work in collaboration with ACT.
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 […]
You’re sitting with a client who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s six weeks ago and you introduce the word acceptance. Watch what happens. The shoulders drop a little. Sometimes you’ll hear it said back to you almost word for word: “So you want me to just give up?” It’s not a difficult client, and it’s not […]
Do you really need your inner critic to stay motivated? Expert tip from Russell Kolts Part of helping clients work with shame and self-criticism involves getting curious about the functions the client ascribes to their self-critic. Clients can sometimes have real resistance to addressing self-criticism: “I need my self-critic to keep myself on track and […]
A process of presence, values, and growth A new way of seeing supervision Supervision is a familiar space for most clinicians; a place for guidance, reflection, and accountability. Yet when we step into supervision through the lens of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), the atmosphere feels subtly but profoundly different. Rather than focusing only on […]
Guest blog from Matthew Pugh and Tobyn Bell A common misconception is that chairwork can’t be delivered online, or that it is much less effective in this format. This concern is understandable. Chairwork is associated with movement and physical action: moving chairs around the room, switching between seats, standing back to observe different parts of […]
You know the client. They show up, they engage, they can articulate their values with real clarity and they’ll happily defuse from a thought, run an exposure, sit through an uncomfortable emotion. On paper, they’re doing everything right, yet the shame doesn’t shift. Sessions start to feel like you’re both pushing against something neither of you can name. If you work from an ACT frame, it’s worth […]
Finding an approach to therapy that suits both therapists and clients can be a daunting task. When using acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) this can present its own set of challenges as the intricate concepts and relatively unstructured nature means applying ACT principles in real-time situations can prove to be demanding. The reality of being […]
For elite athletes, coaches and managers participating in high-stakes tournaments, the pressure to perform is immense. Not only are they representing their teams and countries, but competitors, teammates and passionate fans watch their every move. In this environment, it’s obviously crucial that athletes have all been taught the mental fortitude and psychological skills to thrive […]
One of the most powerful aspects of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) lies in the therapeutic relationship. In fact, many of us find that the relationship itself can play as significant a role as any specific technique or intervention. However, in ACT, the therapeutic relationship takes on a unique meaning, shaping both the practitioner and […]
The energy in the building was evident as over 250 attendees gathered at Cecil Sharp House in London to join us for our two-day Trauma-focused ACT (T-FACT) workshop, led by none other than Dr Russ Harris. With his reputation as a world-leading ACT trainer and best-selling author of The Happiness Trap, it was no surprise […]
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) can work powerfully together when integration is thoughtful rather than forced. Both approaches aim to reduce psychological rigidity, albeit through different mechanisms. EMDR facilitates adaptive information processing of traumatic memories, while ACT helps people respond more flexibly to difficult internal experiences. One area […]
Metaphors help our clients understand and apply ACT principles like acceptance, defusion, values, and committed action within their daily lives. While the best metaphors are created with the individual in mind, to be both relevant and personal, there are so many useful ones that already exist that can be easily adapted for many different audiences. […]
A guest blog by Dr Linda Nicholson As an ACT clinician and co-author of the SHAPE model for Contextual Behavioural Science, I’ve always seen supervision as a space to explore not just what clinicians do, but how they relate -to their clients, to the unknown, and to their own inner experience. What follows is an […]
Online therapy has become an indispensable resource for mental health care. Offering flexibility, accessibility, and convenience, it has transformed how practitioners can connect with clients. However, this evolution also requires therapists to creatively adapt their approaches to maintain the depth and impact of in-person sessions. Many aspects of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) seamlessly lend […]
Leadership in the modern workplace is fraught with challenges. Balancing conflicting priorities, managing teams with diverse needs, and staying true to one’s values can make the role of a leader both rewarding and overwhelming. In a recent video from our expert tips series, Ross McIntosh dives into this very topic, exploring how acceptance and commitment […]
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