Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Also written as: ACT — Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
A behavioral intervention that uses mindfulness and acceptance strategies alongside commitment to value-based actions.
Full Definition
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of psychotherapy that combines mindfulness-based strategies with behavior change techniques. Rather than trying to eliminate difficult thoughts and feelings, ACT focuses on accepting them while committing to actions that align with personal values. The therapy emphasizes psychological flexibility as a core outcome measure. ACT is widely used in behavioral medicine for chronic pain, addiction, and anxiety disorders. Documentation often includes values clarification exercises and mindfulness protocols.
Usage
Usage note: Always spell out on first use, then use ACT abbreviation. Note that ACT is also an acronym for other medical tests.
In Context
- "The treatment protocol incorporated Acceptance and Commitment Therapy techniques for chronic pain management." — treatment plan
- "ACT intervention showed significant improvement in psychological flexibility scores." — research report