Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
In Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, the goal is to enrich your life and create meaningful connections in it
Why is Mindfulness important in ACT Therapy?
The strength of this approach is acknowledging that regardless of where we are there will always be barriers, unwanted experiences, feelings, and thoughts. We do this while accepting our present state and releasing what we have no control over. ACT therapy focuses on being fully present, acknowledging our values, finding meaning in life, and being mindful through every step we take. The point isn’t to ignore them but find a better way to deal with them and find radical acceptance of even the most difficult situations. One of the most meaningful aspects of ACT therapy that separates it from other therapies is its focus on mindfulness as a healthy coping mechanism.
Mindfulness is a powerful tool that allows us to develop a better awareness of ourselves and our surroundings. Through these coping mechanisms, we get a sense of our mental, physical, and emotional state. When many people think of mindfulness, they consider yoga, grounding, deep breathing, and so on. However, mindfulness is more than yoga and breathing. It’s a present state of acknowledging where you are in the moment so you can assess what you need. This can be done by journaling, eating, walking, deep breathing, driving, and so much more. Mindfulness looks different for everyone.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a common evidence-based therapy that addresses thoughts, behaviors, and feelings much like ACT therapy does. However, in CBT the course of recovery and initiating new behaviors looks different. The process is much more rigid than ACT therapy and often does not leave root for flexibility in the therapy process. Often homework and outside therapy tasks are assigned which for some people works. Others don’t appreciate the structure of CBT therapy as much, which is why ACT therapy can often allow more mental flexibility, which is core to the ACT hexaflex model.
The Difference Between ACT Vs. CBT Therapy?
Reasons to try Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Detroit, MI
- Helps people to visualize what change can look like
- We use metaphors to better help you understand your situation
- Increasing psychologicalflexibility allows you to accept change
- This gives you permission to integrate your values into your decisions
- Together we can identify what Is holding you back
- ACT therapy can help people realize life is unfair and difficult, but there is a way forward.
- This therapy encourages self-reflection andlooking toward the future
- It focuses on paying attention to your behavioral responses so you can develop better awareness
- If you’re trying to find meaning and understand your narrative
- Can help you become unstuck if you’re dealing with life transitions, motherhood, grief, trauma, anxiety, depression and more
If this sounds like an approach that would help you find healing, the acceptance, and commitment therapy in Detroit, MI is for you. Many of our clients have found hope and freedom after going through ACT therapy with us.
The Six Core Principles in the ACT Hexaflex Model Can Help You Find Freedom
The goal of ACT therapy is to help develop psychological flexibility. Often, we come into the therapy setting feeling rigid. Many people struggle to open their awareness in order to free themselves from what has been holding them back. ACT focuses on this rigidity to help people incorporate their values into their decisions, so they may sense for their life flow. These are the six core principles.
Values
Together we will identify what matters most to you about your life. (This could be work, family, friends, traveling, alone time, etc.)
Committed Action
This involves doing things that bring meaning and value to life. (Taking care of family, working, engaging in a hobby or side hustle)
Acceptance
Involves embracing what is going on whether good or not. We must be able to roll with the punches that life hands out (acknowledging that you may be a nice person, but sometimes you get angry)
Defusion
This is where some of the mindfulness components come in, you need to be an objective observer of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, rather than becoming overwhelmed by them. (When you’re feeling like yelling at your boss at work, but instead of yelling you notice this thought and feeling, rather than stopping it, and instead realize the truth of the situation. )
Contact with the Present Moment
Another component of ACT and Mindfulness is being in the here and now. We need to recognize when we’re having positive and negative emotions, or thoughts, rather than ignoring them. (You’re starting to get overwhelmed at work. At that moment you say to yourself, “I am getting overwhelmed right now because too much is going on”.)
Self in context
Lastly, this means that we will get in contact with who we are as a person. All these components come together so you can assess yourself and your thoughts individually. Recognize what is true and what is not. What aligns with your values and what does not? (As you recognize you overwhelm, you take a moment to realize it's not about you, and for you to get in line with yourself, you need to take a break, something that you previously would not have done because you were not raised in an environment where giving yourself space was appreciated.)
Introspective Counseling’s Approach to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
As ACT therapists, our goal in therapy is to help you feel like you have more control to engage in life on your terms. We want to get you to a point of psychological flexibility where you’re not feeling held back by life. Instead, you’re living on your terms. One of the biggest benefits of ACT therapy is knowing we are not focused on diagnosing your or labeling “what’s wrong”, it’s more important to get you to a place of acceptance that is in line with your values so you can make the changes in your life that are meaningful to you.
Our therapists in Detroit, MI will walk alongside you with respect, empathy, compassion, and patience. Our goal isn’t to make sure you have it all together all the time, but instead to envision that you’re traveling up a path with some obstacles in the way that we will help you overcome on your terms. If you believe that we can help you, our therapists would be honored to help you. Begin ACT therapy with us soon!
It is time that you begin to live a life in line with your values and accepting yourself fully. There is so much that we cannot control, and we need to develop the awareness to acknowledge it in both its good and bad forms. If you’re ready to get started with any of our services, and you’re interested in ACT therapy, then we are here to support you. Our Detroit, MI counseling practice has therapists who specialize in working with people of color and minorities.
We have found that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is a great approach for people struggling with socioeconomic stress, oppression, work conflicts, parenting, racial issues and so much more! Our therapists want to provide a therapy service where you feel heard and seen. Your experiences are valid. No matter where you are in your mental health journey, we will meet you where you are. To start your counseling journey, follow these simple steps:
- Meet with one of our therapists!
- Begin being more present in your life and accepting yourself fully!
