General Overview of Our Approach

What is ACT?

1. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT):

   • ACT is more than a set of techniques; it’s a mindset.

   • It encourages individuals to accept their current reality—thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations—without judgment.

   • By doing so, you conserve energy that might otherwise be wasted in struggling against what cannot be changed.

2. Emotional Resilience:

   • Chronic illness often triggers a range of emotions: frustration, fear, grief, and even anger.

   • ACT helps you build emotional resilience by acknowledging these feelings and learning to respond effectively.

​

How ACT Helps with Chronic Illness/Pain

1. Acceptance:

   • ACT invites you to embrace your health condition without resistance.

   • Rather than fighting against symptoms or limitations, you learn to coexist with them.

2. Values-Driven Action:

   • What truly matters to you? Your values guide your actions.

   • ACT encourages you to take committed steps aligned with your core values, even in the face of adversity.

3. Mindfulness Practices:

   • Cultivate present-moment awareness.

   • Mindfulness helps you detach from distressing thoughts and focus on what’s within your control.

4. Defusion Techniques:

   • Distance yourself from unhelpful thoughts.

   • You learn to observe your mind without getting entangled in its stories.

5. Self-as-Context Perspective:

   • View thoughts as transient events.

   • Shift your perspective and increase self-compassion.

​

Why ACT Works

1. Psychological Flexibility:

   • ACT empowers you to adapt to life’s challenges.

   • By accepting pain and choosing purposeful actions, you build resilience.

2. Living Well with Pain:

   • The goal isn’t pain elimination; it’s living well despite pain.

   • You’ll discover ways to engage in activities that matter to you, even when pain persists.