May 23, 2024

Incorporating ACT – Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Enhancing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a modern, evidence-based approach to treating various mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. By focusing on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, CBT helps individuals develop healthier cognitive patterns, more helpful habits and improve their emotional health.

Thanks to decades of strong research supporting the incorporation of forward-looking goals and values, mindfulness and emotion regulation, we at Catalyst recognize that incorporating Acceptance andCommitment Therapy (ACT) into CBT treatments can offer even greater benefits.

ACT is recent iteration of CBT, and Catalyst Psychology utilizes the best research-backed approaches from both to customize client plans for efficient and effective change.

Understanding Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of therapy that encourages individuals to accept their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting or judging them. ACT is based on the principles of mindfulness and psychological flexibility.

How ACT Enhances CBT

  1. Increased Psychological Flexibility:

ACT enhances CBT by promoting psychological flexibility, which is the ability to stay in contact with the present moment regardless of unpleasant thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. This flexibility allows individuals to adapt to various situations and engage in meaningful actions aligned with their values, even when facing psychological distress.

  1. Mindfulness Integration:

While CBT focuses on changing unhelpful thoughts, ACT incorporates mindfulness to help individuals become more aware of their thoughts and feelings without being overwhelmed by them. This mindfulness practice can help clients observe their cognitive patterns more objectively and reduce the power of negative thoughts.

  1. Emphasis on Values:

ACT encourages individuals to clarify their personal values and use these values as a guide for their actions. Integrating this aspect into CBT can help clients develop amore purpose-driven approach to treatment, making it easier to stay motivated and committed to behavioral changes.

  1. Acceptance Strategies:

In traditional CBT, there is a strong emphasis on changing maladaptive thoughts. However, some thoughts and feelings are persistent and difficult to change. ACT's acceptance strategies teach clients to coexist with these thoughts and feelings without allowing them to interfere with their goals. This can be particularly useful for individuals with chronic mental health issues where complete eradication of symptoms is not always possible.

  1. Improved Emotional Regulation:

By incorporating ACT’s techniques, clients can improve their emotional regulation skills.Acceptance and mindfulness practices help individuals respond to emotional experiences with greater calmness and clarity, reducing the intensity and impact of negative emotions.

Bringing Theory to Life: Practical Ways to Blend ACT and CBT

  1. Combining Cognitive Restructuring with Acceptance:

Therapists can teach clients to identify and challenge negative thoughts (CBT) while also accepting these thoughts without judgment (ACT). This dual approach can reduce the struggle against unwanted thoughts and promote a more balanced emotional state.

  1. Value-Driven Goal Setting:

Incorporating ACT’s focus on values into CBT can help clients set goals that are deeply meaningful to them. This alignment with personal values can enhance motivation and persistence in achieving therapeutic goals.

  1. Mindfulness Exercises:

  Therapists can integrate mindfulness exercises from ACT into CBT sessions. Practices like mindful breathing, body scans, and mindful observation of thoughts can help clients become more aware of their internal experiences and reduce reactivity to stressors.

Precision Psychology

Combining Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy offers a powerful approach to mental health treatment. By enhancing psychological flexibility, integrating mindfulness, emphasizing values, and promoting acceptance, this combined approach can provide clients with a more comprehensive set of tools to manage their mental health effectively. If you're looking to enhance your therapeutic journey, consider exploring how ACT can complement and enrich your CBT treatment.

At Catalyst Psychology, we are committed to providing personalized, evidence-based care that meets your unique needs. Contact us today to learn more about our integrated CBT and ACT treatment options and discuss caring, tailored therapy for you.

This blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute clinical practice or other professional mental health care services, including the giving of clinical advice, and no doctor/client relationship is formed. The use of information on this blog or materials linked from this blog is at the user's own risk. The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard, or delay in obtaining, health or mental health care for any symptoms they may have, and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.

take the first step

As Cognitive Behavioral Therapy specialists we deliver precision care with evidence-based solutions to help you overcome life’s complex challenges, reduce stress, and achieve sustainable success.