Glossary
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a 'third-wave' behavioral therapy that helps people accept difficult thoughts and feelings while taking committed action toward their values. ACT has strong evidence for chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and workplace stress.
Developed by Dr. Steven Hayes in the 1980s, ACT teaches six core processes: acceptance, defusion, present-moment awareness, self-as-context, values, and committed action. ACT is brief (8-16 sessions) and adapts well to group, online, and primary-care settings.
Source: Association for Contextual Behavioral Science