ACT Therapy
What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based therapy that helps you build psychological flexibility — the ability to handle life’s challenges without getting stuck in unhelpful thoughts or emotions.
The core goal of ACT is not to reduce the frequency or severity of unpleasant internal experiences like thoughts, emotions, or urges, but to reduce the struggle to control or eliminate them. Instead of trying to fight difficult feelings, ACT teaches you to acknowledge them, make space for them, and still take meaningful action aligned with your values. ACT supports you in living according to what matters most, not what your mind fears.
How Can ACT Help You?
ACT is effective for a wide range of concerns, including:
- Depression and low mood
- Anxiety and excessive worry
- Stress and burnout
- Trauma and post-traumatic stress
- Chronic pain and health challenges
- Obsessive-compulsive symptoms
- Relationship difficulties
ACT is also helpful for people who feel “stuck” — disconnected from their values or unable to move forward despite ongoing effort.
What to Expect in ACT Sessions
In ACT, we work together to:
- Recognise and step back from unhelpful thoughts (“I can’t cope,” “I’m not good enough”)
- Develop mindfulness skills to handle distressing emotions without being overwhelmed
- Clarify your personal values — what truly matters to you in life
- Take committed action steps in line with your values
- Build resilience, self-compassion, and inner strength
ACT is experiential, meaning we often practise mindfulness and acceptance techniques directly in sessions.
Benefits of ACT
With ACT, clients often experience:
- Reduced impact of difficult thoughts and feelings
- Greater self-awareness and mindfulness
- Stronger connection to values and purpose
- Improved resilience in the face of challenges
- More meaningful and fulfilling relationships
- The freedom to live life more fully, even with discomfort present
If you’re ready to stop struggling against your thoughts and start building a more meaningful life, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy may be the right approach for you.
The Evidence for ACT
ACT is supported by a growing body of clinical research, for example:
- Studies have demonstrated that ACT interventions have been associated with significant improvements in mental health, medical, and behavioral outcomes, and overall functioning and quality of life
- Research has provided evidence for the effectiveness of ACT as an intervention for patients with chronic pain.
- ACT reduces depression and anxiety symptoms in adolescents; psychological flexibility mediates change (2024 meta-analysis).
- 2025 research confirms ACT appears to significantly improve depressive symptoms, anxiety, and psychological flexibility in individuals with depression.
- An overview of research shows that ACT is a process-based treatment that has been successfully applied widely to problem areas impacted by psychological inflexibility.
FAQ’s about ACT
How is ACT different from CBT?
While CBT focuses on challenging and changing unhelpful thoughts, ACT teaches you to accept thoughts without letting them control your actions — while focusing on living in line with your values.
Do I need to practice mindfulness?
Yes, mindfulness is a core part of ACT. But it’s introduced in simple, practical ways that anyone can learn.
Is ACT a long-term therapy?
ACT can be brief (6–12 sessions) or longer, depending on your goals and the issues we’re working on.
Can ACT help if I feel “stuck” in life?
Absolutely, ACT is particularly helpful for people who feel disconnected from meaning, purpose, or values.
Michelle van Namen is a registered Psychologist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Life Coach and Integrative Health Practitioner with over 30 years of experience working with human behaviour and improving mental health. Michelle has been trained in a broad range of evidence-based therapies. She has worked in a variety of roles within private practice, corporate organisations, education, research, and community crisis support. Established in 2006, Integrated Health Specialists is her psychology practice located on the Gold Coast, providing individual and couples therapy for adults. Michelle focuses on providing a warm, authentic and non-judgemental therapeutic space to support clients and facilitate healing and personal growth. Read more about Michelle.
BA (Hons) in Psychology: University of Wollongong, 1995
Registered Psychologist with the Psychology Board (AHPRA) PSY0001395059
Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPI) 15525
Qualifications verified by Psychology Today
Medicare and Health Insurance Provider.