Acceptance And Commitment Therapy

ACT therapy is particularly useful in the treatment of substance use disorders, as it helps patients acknowledge and live with negative emotions while still making progress toward their recovery goals. This evidence-based approach is also effective in treating co-occurring conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

At Epiphany Wellness, we incorporate ACT therapy into their treatment plans, as it provides patients with the skills necessary to manage negative emotions and increase mindfulness, and change strategies in their coping to prevent relapse.

While ACT and other psychotherapies have similar overarching goals, the approaches and focus of ACT as compared to other forms of therapy can differ:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) vs. ACT
CBT and ACT both aim to help patients change negative thought patterns and behaviors, but they take slightly different approaches.

CBT is often focused on identifying and challenging negative thoughts and helping patients replace them with more positive ones. By changing their thinking patterns, patients can change their emotions and behaviors.

In contrast, ACT does not seek to change or challenge negative thoughts. Rather, during a session, an ACT therapist encourages patients to observe thoughts and internal experiences without judgment and accept them as part of their experience. This can help patients disengage from unhelpful thought patterns and focus on taking actions that align with their values.

MBSR and ACT both incorporate mindfulness practices into their therapeutic approach, but they have different focuses.

MBSR is primarily focused on reducing stress and improving overall well-being through mindfulness meditation, body awareness, and other techniques. For example, a client with chronic pain may practice mindfulness exercises to help them manage their pain and reduce their stress levels.

ACT, on the other hand, uses mindfulness as a tool to help patients accept their thoughts and emotions without judgment and take actions that align with their values. For example, a client with a history of substance use may use mindfulness techniques to observe their cravings without judgment and then take actions that align with their values, such as reaching out to a support group or engaging in a healthy activity instead of using substances.

Both therapies use mindfulness and acceptance-based approaches, but they are typically used to treat different conditions.

DBT is primarily used to treat borderline personality disorder and other conditions that involve intense emotions and unstable relationships. DBT includes more structured skills training than ACT, including modules on emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness.

Conversely, ACT is used to treat a wide range of mental health conditions and focuses more on promoting psychological flexibility and values-based behavior change.

Psychodynamic therapy is focused on exploring unconscious patterns and early life experiences to gain insight into current behavior and emotional problems. This approach may involve talking about past traumas or relationships and exploring how they may be impacting the client’s current life.

Whereas psychodynamic therapy focuses on the past, ACT sessions are centered on the present moment and helping patients with setting goals and taking action towards their values and goals–both long and short-term. While past experiences may be relevant to the client’s current situation, the focus is on identifying values and taking action in the present moment.

While there may be some overlap between these different types of therapy, each has its own unique approach and may be more effective for certain individuals and the presenting conditions.