What’s So Great about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Geelong

ACT, or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, is great because it helps people to build psychological flexibility to live a more meaningful life. It helps to accept your different feelings and difficult thoughts rather than fighting them. The key principles of this therapy are defusion, acceptance, contact with the present moment, the observing self, values, and committed action. These principles work together to increase that psychological flexibility.

In recent times, acceptance and commitment therapy in Geelong has been rapidly growing in influence and popularity. This therapy is at least as effective as CBT. ACT is an evidence-based intervention that successfully incorporates obsolete knowledge. You might think, Why choose acceptance and commitment therapy? The key principles will represent the answer. In this blog, we will explore the top six key principles of this therapy.

Key Principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Geelong

Let’s find it!

Cognitive Defusion

This skill is about learning to perceive images, thoughts, memories and other cognitions for what they are. Instead of being controlled by your own thoughts, you will learn to see them as just thoughts. This cognitive defusion involves changing your relationship with unhelpful thoughts so they do not have as much power over your actions.

Expansion or Acceptance

The ACT principle of acceptance or expansion works differently. It involves mindfully and actively embracing your unwanted private experiences, such as bodily sensations, memories, feelings and thoughts without attempting to control or avoid them. The main goal of professional counsellors is to make room for discomfort and reduce the struggle against pain. This process is about willingness and not wanting pain to clear the path for value-based actions.

The Observing Self

It refers to accessing a sense of self and an unchanging locus of awareness that is distinct from your temporary thoughts, physical sensations and mental feelings. It is a broad perspective that holds your experience without being defined by it. It helps to illustrate that while inner experiences can be stormy, the self remains a consistent space in which they unfold.

Contact with the Present Moment

This is another principle of ACT in Geelong that emphasises non-judgmental and ongoing awareness of the here and now, including internal experiences and the external environment. This skill, provided by mindful counselling, helps you engage fully with your current situation instead of getting lost in rumination about the past or anticipation of the future.

Values Clarification

This principle involves what matters most in your life to provide direction and purpose. It can be said that values are not goals but the chosen qualities of ongoing action or life directions. This process helps you to ensure that the actions are driven by deeply held principles rather than by avoidance of social compliance and discomfort.

Committed Action

It entails setting goals and taking effective steps that are guided by your clarified values when you face difficult thoughts, feelings, and obstacles. This process typically transforms values from abstract concepts into purposeful behaviour patterns. Committed action is the practical application of the other five principles of acceptance and commitment therapy in Geelong to build a life worth living.

Closing Thoughts

Look, we help clients to build calm and psychological flexibility through evidence-informed and practical ACT strategies. Our experts will help you to identify your strengths and clarify who and what matters the most to you. You can engage more fully in your life with our expert counselling. Contact us now to learn more about our services.