The Six Core Concepts:

The overall aim of ACT is to increase psychological flexibility, live life aligned with your core values, and reduce avoidance behaviors. Avoidance is a common coping strategy that can be helpful in the short-term, but it can create longer lasting problems that can keep you feeling stuck. There are six core concepts in ACT that lead to healing and guide the type of conversations and interventions you will experience in treatment.​

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• Acceptance – This is a concept that is easy to understand but hard when put into practice. It involves making space for uncomfortable thoughts and emotions rather than fighting or avoiding them. Historically, the United States approach to healthcare treatment has involved eliminating symptoms. However, when it comes to mental health, the more you try and get rid of thoughts or emotions the stronger they can become. Emotions and thoughts aren't problems to be solved, rather a part of the human experience that once accepted can yield to more time and energy to focus on what really matters to you.​

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• Cognitive Defusion – This concept teaches you to see thoughts as words or stories, not absolute truths. Our thoughts can feel powerful and very convincing, however, just because you think it doesn't mean its true. If you buy into a thought/belief too much it can influence your behavior. Sometimes uncomfortable thoughts and emotions can influence us to act in a way that does not align with our values, so learning to defuse from thoughts can open the door to new behavior that is restorative.

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• Present-Moment Awareness – The ability to ground yourself in the here and now through mindfulness. This means learning to notice what’s happening in the present moment, such as your thoughts, sensations, and surroundings, without judgment or the urge to change them. Many of us spend much of our time replaying the past or worrying about the future, which can pull us away from what’s actually happening right now. By practicing mindfulness, we strengthen our ability to be fully engaged in our experiences rather than swept away by them.

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• Self-as-Context – This concept means seeing yourself as more than your thoughts, feelings, or roles. This concept helps you recognize that while you experience thoughts and emotions, they do not define who you are. You are the observer of your experiences, not the experiences themselves. When you connect with this observing part of yourself, you gain perspective and flexibility. It becomes easier to notice difficult emotions or self-critical thoughts without getting caught up in them. This awareness creates space to respond with intention rather than react out of habit. By seeing yourself from this broader viewpoint, you can move through challenges with greater compassion, stability, and openness to growth.

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• Values – Clarifying what truly matters to you in life helps with setting goals and finding a sense of purpose.​ When you identify your values, they become a compass to help you make decisions and stay aligned with what’s most important, even when life feels uncertain or difficult. Your values can change throughout life, so exploring how, why, and when you choose to align with a particular way of being can help increase your sense of identity and improve your overall well-being.

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• Committed Action – Commitment can look like putting your values into practice through intentional choices and behaviors, even when it’s uncomfortable or uncertain. Taking concrete steps that align with your values moves you towards a more meaningful life.  It’s not about perfection, it's about persistence/consistency. Committed action turns insight into real-world change. For example, if you value connection, you might reach out to a friend even when you feel anxious. If you value growth, you might face a challenge rather than avoid it. Each action, no matter how small, strengthens your sense of purpose and builds confidence in your ability to live according to your values.