What Is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?

Abstract

This chapter provides a broad overview of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), including empirical evidence for its effectiveness, how it fits with other cognitive-behavioral therapies, and defining features of ACT. The chapter also explains the theory and scientific philosophy underlying ACT so that readers have a framework to which to refer as they learn how to implement ACT in practice. In addition, the chapter describes the model of psychological inflexibility that underpins assessment and intervention in ACT. This chapter also gives readers an introduction to terms associated with ACT and what they mean.