Core Principles of ACT:
- Acceptance/Letting things Be:
Embracing difficult thoughts and feelings without judgment, rather than trying to control or suppress them. - Cognitive Defusion/Letting Things Go:
Learning to observe thoughts as just thoughts, rather than taking them as literal truths, and detaching from unhelpful thought patterns. - Being Present/Staying Here :
Focusing on the present moment and engaging fully with one’s experiences. - Self-as-Context/Noticing Yourself:
Recognizing the observing self, a part of you that is separate from your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. - Values/Choose what Matters:
Identifying what truly matters to you in life and using these values to guide your actions. - Committed Action/Do What Matters:
Taking purposeful steps towards living a life aligned with your values, even in the face of difficult emotions or experiences.
ACT has efficacy with adults and there is also a kid friendly/short term application of these tools that we have found to be very successful as well.