Short answer: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps you make room for difficult thoughts and feelings while taking practical action toward the life and relationships you value.
What is ACT?
ACT is an evidence-based therapy focused on psychological flexibility. Rather than trying to eliminate every unwanted thought or uncomfortable feeling, ACT teaches skills for noticing internal experiences without letting them dictate your choices.
How can ACT help with OCD?
For OCD and anxiety, ACT can help reduce the struggle with intrusive thoughts and shift attention from achieving perfect certainty to living by your values. ACT may be used alongside ERP or as part of a broader, individualized treatment plan.
What can treatment sessions involve?
Notice your internal experience
You learn to observe thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations with more awareness and less automatic reaction.
Practice acceptance and defusion
Exercises help you relate to thoughts as thoughts, rather than facts that must be solved or obeyed.
Clarify your values
You identify the people, activities, and qualities you want your life to stand for.
Take committed action
You practice small, meaningful steps that move you toward your values, even when anxiety is present.
Who may benefit from ACT?
ACT may be a good fit for people who feel stuck in avoidance, self-criticism, reassurance-seeking, or a constant effort to control thoughts and emotions. It can support children, teens, and adults when adapted to their age and goals.