Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Abstract
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that utilizes six core psychological process of change (acceptance, defusion, present moment awareness, self as context, values and committed action) to help individuals achieve psychological flexibility (i.e., the ability to choose one's behavior even when doing so brings a person into contact with aversive internal experiences).ACT shares many features of traditional CBT and its distinctiveness has been a subject of debate. However,ACT appears to operate at least partially through distinct processes, and to emphasize experiential acceptance and valued behavior change over attempts to restructure thoughts or achieve symptom reduction. Empirical support for ACT and its hypothesized therapeutic processes is mounting quickly, but much of it suffers from methodological shortcomings.
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ACT and traditional CBT share many features, but ACT emphasises acceptance and engaging in behaviour in line with one's values over cognitive restructuring and symptom reduction.
“Although ACT and traditional CBT share many features, the distinction between these two approaches consists in the emphasis of ACT on acceptance and engaging in behaviour in line with one’s values over cognitive restructuring and symptom reduction.12”
From Protocol for a feasibility and acceptability study using a brief ACT-based intervention for people from Southwest Wales who live with persistent pain (2018) · cites this paper as [12]
Cites
Acceptance and commitment therapy: model, processes and outcomes
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Self-citationAcceptance and mindfulness-based therapy: New wave or old hat?
Hofmann, S. G., & Asmundson, G. J. G. (2008) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2007.09.003 · Cited by 665 · see citing works
Acceptance and commitment therapy: A meta-analytic review
Powers, M. B., Zum Vörde Sive Vörding, M. B., & Emmelkamp, P. M. G. (2009) · Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics · doi:10.1159/000190790 · Cited by 619 · see citing works
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Self-citationAcceptance and Mindfulness in Cognitive Behavior Therapy
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Saracutu, M., Edwards, D. J., Davies, H., & Rance, J. (2018) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2018-021866 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
“Although ACT and traditional CBT share many features, the distinction between these two approaches consists in the emphasis of ACT on acceptance and engaging in behaviour in line with one’s values over cognitive restructuring and symptom reduction.(12) The ultimate goal of ACT is to improve functioning by increasing p…”
Chen, F.-R., Xiong, Y., Li, S.-Y., Deng, Y.-G., Zhang, Q.-H., Xiao, Z., Knobf, M., & Ye, Z.-J. (2025) · European Journal of Oncology Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2025.102822 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Psychotherapy for Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders
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From Confound to Clinical Tool: Mindfulness and the Observer Effect in Research and Therapy
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Belay, G. M., Lam, K. K. W., Liu, Q., Mao, T., Mak, Y. W., & Ho, K. Y. (2026) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/83896
- Authors
- Forman, E. M., Juarascio, A. S., Martin, L. M., & Herbert, J. D.
- Affiliations
- Drexel University (US)
- Venue
- The Encyclopedia of Clinical Psychology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2015-01-23
- Pages
- 1-7
- OpenAlex
- W1539545069
- Cited by
- 5
- References
- 15
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2021: 1 · 2018: 1
- Type
- reference entry
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Encyclopedia of Clinical Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Keywords
- acceptance and commitment therapy, psychological flexibility, acceptance, defusion, present-moment awareness, self-as-context, cognitive behavioral therapy, therapeutic process, methodological limitations
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