Therapeutic Approach

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy

A mindfulness-based, values-driven approach that helps you build psychological flexibility and live a rich, meaningful life.

What is ACT?

Moving Toward What Matters

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based approach that helps you change your relationship with difficult thoughts and feelings, rather than trying to eliminate them. The goal is not to feel better in the moment, but to live better over time.

ACT draws on mindfulness practices and behavioral science to help you develop psychological flexibility, the ability to stay present, open, and engaged even when life is hard. When we stop struggling against our inner experience, we free up energy to move toward what we genuinely value.

Research consistently shows ACT to be effective for anxiety, depression, chronic pain, trauma, and many other challenges. It integrates beautifully with mindfulness, IFS, and somatic approaches.

The Six Core Processes

  • Cognitive defusion: learning to observe thoughts rather than being ruled by them
  • Acceptance: making room for difficult feelings without fighting or avoiding them
  • Present-moment awareness: grounding yourself in the here and now
  • Values clarification: identifying what matters most to you
  • Committed action: taking meaningful steps aligned with your values
  • Self-as-context: developing a flexible, observer sense of self

Who Can Benefit

ACT Can Help With

ACT is versatile and effective across a wide range of emotional and life challenges. If you feel stuck, avoidant, or disconnected from what matters most, ACT may be a good fit.

Anxiety and worry
Depression and low mood
Chronic pain and illness
Stress and burnout
Life transitions and uncertainty
Perfectionism and self-criticism
Grief and loss
Relationship struggles

My Approach

ACT in Practice

In our work together, ACT principles are woven naturally into the therapeutic conversation. We use mindfulness exercises, metaphors, and experiential practices to help you notice unhelpful patterns, not to judge them but to loosen their grip.

A key part of ACT is values work: getting clear on what kind of person you want to be and what kind of life you want to live. From that clarity, we co-create meaningful, practical steps forward, even in the presence of difficulty.

ACT works well alongside Internal Family Systems, mindfulness practices, and somatic work, making it a flexible addition to an individualized treatment approach.

Ready to Begin?

Taking the first step toward healing is an act of courage. Reach out today. I'd love to connect.

Contact Elizabeth

Currently accepting new clients · Daytime and evening appointments