68. Therapy Modalities: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Sep 25, 2024

Michael Atkinson, a clinical counselor passionate about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), joins Alison Affalter, who specializes in working with individuals and couples. They explore the fascinating origins and core principles of ACT, emphasizing psychological flexibility and living a meaningful life aligned with personal values. The discussion highlights how mindfulness and acceptance play critical roles in facing life's inevitable hardships. Additionally, they share strategies for integrating ACT with other therapeutic modalities to effectively address anxiety, depression, and trauma.

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INSIGHT

ACT's Core Purpose

ACT helps clients live meaningful lives while accepting unavoidable hardships.
It emphasizes acting in accordance with personal values despite difficulties.

INSIGHT

Psychological Flexibility through Hexaflex

ACT centers on psychological flexibility as a way to be unstuck from suffering.
Its six core principles form an interconnected system promoting adaptability.

INSIGHT

Embrace Discomfort with Values

ACT highlights leaning into discomfort rather than avoiding it.
Values guide committed actions even amid hardships or unwanted feelings.

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This week guests Michael Atkinson and Alison Affalter join to discuss Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

The episode covers:

- ACT’s origins, key principles, and practical applications

- How clients can live a meaningful life aligned with personal values while accepting inevitable hardships

- ACT's six core principles aimed at enhancing psychological flexibility: acceptance, cognitive defusion, self as context, contact with the present moment, values, and committed action.

The guests share insights on applying ACT in therapy and personal life, and how it can be integrated with other therapeutic modalities to support clients dealing with various issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions.

OUR HOST:

Miranda Barker, MSW, LICSW, has been practicing as a therapist for several years. She previously worked as a child protection investigator, adoption social worker, case manager, and the Director of Brand Content at Ellie Mental Health. Follow her on⁠ LinkedIn.⁠

The Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ellie Mental Health⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. We want to move therapists beyond surviving and into the realm of thriving by covering all the things that graduate school didn't teach you! This mental health podcast is hosted by Miranda Barker, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise to help us learn how to thrive as therapists.⁠⁠

Ellie is a national mental health brand organized around community-based outpatient mental health clinics. It all began with a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2015, and has expanded to an explosive number of locations nationwide after franchising our model in 2021. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction & Meet the Experts: Michael and Allison

01:25 Diving into ACT: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

03:30 Core Principles of ACT

17:54 Applying ACT in Therapy and Life

22:06 Therapist Tools and Initial Experiences

22:46 Integrating ACT with Other Modalities

25:21 Learning and Training in ACT

29:20 ACT for Various Diagnoses and Situations

34:16 Mindfulness Techniques in ACT

41:41 Final Thoughts and Resources