Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) in Madison, WI
Available Internationally & in WI, MN
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a counseling method that focuses on helping individuals who feel stuck in patterns of behavior, thinking, or feeling. When past experiences are still in charge of your present moments, it’s time to start making some changes, so you can lead your most fulfilling life again. Lakeside Counseling Licensed Professional Counselors offer online counseling services, so you can make positive life changes from down the road or across the globe. ACT is one of many counseling techniques that we use regularly, so if you’re interested in learning more, we’d be happy to discuss this option with you. You can also find out more about ACT on this page.
What is ACT?
ACT is a counseling approach that is used to increase “psychological flexibility.” That sounds really complicated, but actually, it’s pretty simple. By working to stay mindful and live in the present moment, you can change your thoughts, feelings, and actions to be grounded in the current context rather than allowing memories, sensations, and emotions of past experiences to continue governing your actions. This is achieved through combining the development of mindfulness and acceptance skills with commitment and behavior change techniques that can be practiced at home, so you can enjoy more of your life.
Who Can Benefit from ACT?
There are many people who find the ACT approach to counseling beneficial. Specifically, ACT has been proven effective for those struggling with:
Stress and anxiety (including workplace and social anxiety)
Depression
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Substance abuse
Trauma, complex trauma disorder, and post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD)
What Happens During ACT Counseling Online?
During counseling using the ACT technique, you develop skills that allow you to listen to self-talk, the way you think and feel about yourself, and understand how it influences your actions. Simply put, you will be practicing a simple three-step technique:
Accept your current situation
Commit to a specific direction
Take action
The goal is to carefully consider the story you tell about yourself and your abilities and determine which of these things are true and should be accepted and which can be changed. Then, decide what actions you can take. Each session will involve considering different events in your life, applying this technique, and planning actionable next steps. Before we end the session, we’ll discuss opportunities to apply your skills, and sometimes we’ll assign “homework” to help you start taking steps toward positive change between visits.
How do I Schedule My Appointment?
If you want to explore ACT or other counseling techniques, we would enjoy having the opportunity to partner with you on your journey. It can be so freeing to let go of limiting thoughts and feelings and start learning to enjoy more of your life. For your convenience, you can get started by filling out our simple online form. Once we receive your information, we’ll be in touch to set up your initial appointment.