Acceptance And Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an empirically based psychological intervention using "mindfulness" and acceptance as strategies that are combined with commitment and behavior -change strategies to increase a client's psychological flexibility. Originally called comprehensive distancing, this theory was pioneered by Steven C. Hayes and was first tested by Robert Zettle in the early 1980s.

ACT is intended to let clients open up to unpleasant feelings and to learn ways to not overreact to those feelings or to consciously avoid uncomfortable situations. It is intended to create a positive behavioral spiral where feeling leads to an improved understanding of truth.