Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ACT Edmonton
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in Edmonton.
ACT Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT, pronounced like the word “act”) is a type of talk therapy that combines mindfulness strategies with behavior change techniques. Instead of trying to “get rid of” painful thoughts or feelings, ACT helps people accept them, while still moving toward what truly matters in their lives.
The Core Idea
ACT is built around the idea that struggling to avoid or control painful experiences often makes them worse. For example, pushing away anxiety can create more anxiety. Instead, ACT teaches people to:
- Accept what they can’t control (thoughts, emotions, memories).
- Commit to actions that are guided by their personal values.
Key Principles of ACT
- Acceptance – Making space for uncomfortable feelings instead of fighting them.
- Cognitive Defusion – Learning to see thoughts just as words or mental events, rather than absolute truths.
- Being Present – Practicing mindfulness to stay engaged with the here and now.
- Self-as-Context – Recognizing that you are more than your thoughts and feelings; you’re the observer of your experiences.
- Values – Clarifying what truly matters to you (e.g., family, creativity, growth).
- Committed Action – Taking steps aligned with those values, even in the presence of discomfort.
What ACT Looks Like in Practice
- A therapist might guide you through mindfulness exercises to notice thoughts without judgment.
- You may learn to reframe “I am anxious” into “I am noticing the feeling of anxiety.”
- You’d explore what matters most to you in life, then set goals and actions that align with those values.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
How can ACT help?
ACT is effective for anxiety, depression, trauma, chronic pain, stress, substance use, and even everyday struggles with self-doubt or avoidance.
In short: ACT isn’t about eliminating difficult feelings—it’s about creating a rich, meaningful life while learning to handle those feelings more flexibly.
ACT in Counselling
Individual Counselling
Individual counselling (sometimes called therapy or one-on-one counselling) is a process where a person meets privately with a trained mental health professional to explore their thoughts, feelings, behaviours, and challenges.
At its core, it provides a safe, confidential space to talk about what’s going on in your life and to work toward personal growth, healing, or problem-solving.
Individual counselling is like having a trained guide walk beside you while you work through life’s struggles, offering insight, strategies, and support along the way.
