What Is ACT?
ACT is type of therapy in which we aim to develop an understanding of, and change our relationship to, the thoughts, feelings and behaviours that are getting in the way of living a full and rich life.
ACT is not about just getting rid of our symptoms. Instead we’re looking to change how we actually relate to our thoughts and feelings and, despite what they make us feel like not doing, choose to take committed action in the areas of our life that we want to develop.
“Experiential avoidance” and “Cognitive Fusion” are two types of problem which can get in the way of people living the lives that they want to lead. Experiential avoidance is, as the name suggests, when there is an unwillingness to feel and experience aspects of our external and internal lives. For instance, we may avoid asking our boss for that raise because of the potential experience of rejection. Or we might stay in a difficult relationship to avoid the pain that we associate with change. Mental health problems like Panic Disorder, OCD, low self esteem and Depression all carry with them an aspect of Experiential avoidance – where we invest so much time in avoiding an experience that the avoidance itself creates a problem.
Cognitive Fusion is the term we use to describe when we believe a thought to be an accurate way of interpreting the world or our inner experience. When we hold on tightly to such thoughts as “I’m a failure” or “I’ll panic so much, I’ll lose control” and treat them as an absolute truth, rather than just one of many other thoughts, then we are “fused” to our thoughts.
How does ACT Work With Unhelpful Thoughts?
CBT places a big emphasis on the role of negative thoughts in mental distress, suggesting that it is the way that we think about things that gives rise to the emotional states we experience. In traditional CBT, by working out whether the thought is an accurate representation of our experiences (and not a thinking bias or unhelpful thinking style), we can treat problems like depression, anxiety disorders and trauma etc.
Traditional CBT based interventions work well with a number of problems but, as with all things in life, are not for everyone.
ACT’s full range approach to working with thoughts is to develop “Cognitive Defusion”. What does this mean? We typically view our thoughts as being “us”. To quote Descartes, “I think, therefore I am.” When we routinely attach or listen to a particular type of thought and believe it as being “True”, then we would say that we are “fused” with the thought. For example, if I experience the thought, “I’m a failure” and automatically treat it as being an accurate, believable representation of life then we would say that I am fused to the thought.
If I am fused to the thought, “I am a failure”, then this will likely get in the way of me living a full and meaningful life. In fact, I am probably very aware of this and have tried to think differently about this many times before. I may have used traditional CBT techniques like thought challenging and still not managed to believe an alternative thought such as “I do quite well given how I feel.”
In ACT, we engage in a process of cognitive defusion to help us to treat the thought as just another mental event and to, rather than get into a battle with it or to let it stop us from doing things, learn to hold the thought lightly. The thought is there, but we don’t have to do anything with it. Learning cognitive defusion skills in ACT enables us to do this.
For more information or help about ACT, please do contact us.
CBT Services For Specific Topics in Liverpool
ACT For Depression, low mood, low self esteem
More and more, depression is beginning to be understood in a much broader sense than simply being a disorder of the brain and more of a condition that involves a combination of biological, psychological, social and cultural factors.
ACT For Generalised Anxiety
We all experience a degree of anxiety or worry at some point in our lives – It’s part of being human. But what about those times when the anxiety seems to never leave us? Or when we just can’t seem to put the worry out of our head?
ACT For Social Anxiety
After depression and generalised anxiety, social anxiety disorder is the 3rd most common mental health disorder. However, due to the very nature of the problem, treatment for social anxiety disorder is not always sought.
ACT For Anger Management
Anger, like sadness, fear and disgust is an emotion and is hardwired into each of us through many, many years of evolution and, believe it or not, can serve a positive purpose.
ACT For PTSD
Post-Traumatic stress disorder is a clinical term for a specific set of symptoms which can develop following a traumatic life event. CBT has a well-developed body of evidence to support its effectiveness in treating PTSD.
CBT For Panic Disorder
When Panic attacks become a frequent event in our lives and they lead to us waiting for them to happen or having a negative impact on how we live our lives and our mental health, then we may be experiencing Panic Disorder.
We can also help with:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Liverpool and North West
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a “Third Wave” form of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and is the perfect alternative for people who have tried more traditional CBT (perhaps through an IAPT service) and have not achieved the desired results.
ACT combines the cognitive and behavioural basis of traditional CBT with more recent developments such as mindfulness and behavioural contextualism to create an active, creative mode of therapy with the objective of helping you to live a rich, full and meaningful life.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is delivered by Access CBT face to face in Liverpool or Online to anywhere in the world.Your perfectly optimized content goes here!
Make An Appointment & Find Out More
What Is ACT?
ACT is type of therapy in which we aim to develop an understanding of, and change our relationship to, the thoughts, feelings and behaviours that are getting in the way of living a full and rich life.
ACT is not about just getting rid of our symptoms. Instead we’re looking to change how we actually relate to our thoughts and feelings and, despite what they make us feel like not doing, choose to take committed action in the areas of our life that we want to develop.
“Experiential avoidance” and “Cognitive Fusion” are two types of problem which can get in the way of people living the lives that they want to lead. Experiential avoidance is, as the name suggests, when there is an unwillingness to feel and experience aspects of our external and internal lives. For instance, we may avoid asking our boss for that raise because of the potential experience of rejection. Or we might stay in a difficult relationship to avoid the pain that we associate with change. Mental health problems like Panic Disorder, OCD, low self esteem and Depression all carry with them an aspect of Experiential avoidance – where we invest so much time in avoiding an experience that the avoidance itself creates a problem.
Cognitive Fusion is the term we use to describe when we believe a thought to be an accurate way of interpreting the world or our inner experience. When we hold on tightly to such thoughts as “I’m a failure” or “I’ll panic so much, I’ll lose control” and treat them as an absolute truth, rather than just one of many other thoughts, then we are “fused” to our thoughts.
Therapies & Consultancy
Frequently Asked Questions
How does ACT Work With Unhelpful Thoughts?
CBT places a big emphasis on the role of negative thoughts in mental distress, suggesting that it is the way that we think about things that gives rise to the emotional states we experience. In traditional CBT, by working out whether the thought is an accurate representation of our experiences (and not a thinking bias or unhelpful thinking style), we can treat problems like depression, anxiety disorders and trauma etc.
Traditional CBT based interventions work well with a number of problems but, as with all things in life, are not for everyone.
ACT’s full range approach to working with thoughts is to develop “Cognitive Defusion”. What does this mean? We typically view our thoughts as being “us”. To quote Descartes, “I think, therefore I am.” When we routinely attach or listen to a particular type of thought and believe it as being “True”, then we would say that we are “fused” with the thought. For example, if I experience the thought, “I’m a failure” and automatically treat it as being an accurate, believable representation of life then we would say that I am fused to the thought.
If I am fused to the thought, “I am a failure”, then this will likely get in the way of me living a full and meaningful life. In fact, I am probably very aware of this and have tried to think differently about this many times before. I may have used traditional CBT techniques like thought challenging and still not managed to believe an alternative thought such as “I do quite well given how I feel.”
In ACT, we engage in a process of cognitive defusion to help us to treat the thought as just another mental event and to, rather than get into a battle with it or to let it stop us from doing things, learn to hold the thought lightly. The thought is there, but we don’t have to do anything with it. Learning cognitive defusion skills in ACT enables us to do this.
For more information or help about ACT, please do contact us.
What does acceptance and commitment therapy do?
ACT therapy encourages patients to act in accordance with their own beliefs and uses focus, mindfulness and acceptance skills to deal with uncontrollable events. Feel free to contact our in house therapist to find out more.
Is acceptance and commitment therapy a form of CBT?
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a type of psychotherapy that has been labeled the “fourth wave” in treatment, following cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
What is something that ACT and CBT have in common?
ACT is seen by many as a “third wave” therapy, in which other abilities (such as mindfulness, visualisation, personal values, etc.) are added to the mix. CBT and ACT are both behaviour-based therapies. CBT therapists normally are trained in CBT and ACT to give them a better understanding to create a safe environment and offer a person centred approach to increase psychological flexibility. Feel free to contact our in house therapist which treatment would be better for you.
What is ACT used to treat?
ACT is a psychological therapy treatment that can help with a wide range of psychological issues. It may be used to treat any person’s life and aid in the management of general anxiety, chronic pain, depression, OCD, eating disorders, and social anxiety.
Is ACT good for health anxiety?
Every year, it is estimated that between 1 and 10 individuals in every 100 will have health anxiety. Fortunately, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) are both highly successful psychological therapies for health anxiety.
Will act help my obsessive compulsive disorder?
ACT teaches patients to establish a positive new connection with obsessive thoughts and fearful emotions. For example, assisting them recognize that a thought is nothing more than a thought and anxiety is an emotion to be felt
What is mindfulness in ACT?
What exactly is mindfulness based cognitive therapy ACT, and how does it work? It entails being consciously aware of what’s going on right now, as well as appreciating each moment (rather than living in the past or anticipating the future). The use of psychological abilities such as openness, adaptability, and connectedness is part of mindfulness.
Can ACT relationship therapy improve emotional problems?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of CBT that encourages patients to accept and value their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting or feeling guilty about them. ACT, when used in conjunction with mindfulness-based therapy, can provide effective treatment.
What is acceptance and commitment therapy training?
ACT is an empirically-based contextual CBT that combines acceptance, focus and mindfulness-based tactics to reduce the impact of fear and avoidant behavior in difficult psychological states (for example, thoughts, feelings, images, memories).
Access CBT Clinic - Mental Health Professionals
Access CBT is an private practice based in Liverpool city centre but helps people all over the world with online therapy and CBT therapist resources. We work with people with all types of physical health problems and mental health difficulties. We offer professional strategies and services to improve mental well-being for short term goals and long term support.
We are a team of fully qualified thepists (British Association) who deal with a a lof of different mental health issues and emotional difficulties. We offer private therapy in a safe space or online therapy to help support you with any presenting issues and life experiences you maybe struggling with.
We work with children, young people and older adults supporting people in problem solving and positive changes in these uncertain times.
We have extensive experience in ACT but also many other disciplines such as EMDR and CBT.
Feel free to contact us today to talk about appointments & sessions
Other Psychological Therapy in Liverpool
EMDR
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) in Liverpool, is a specialist type of psychotherapy that has been shown in clinical trials to be an effective treatment for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and other trauma-related life problems.
