Introduction to acceptance and commitment therapy

Abstract

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a descendant of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). The model draws techniques from a wide variety of sources and unites them within a philosophical and scientific framework to create a principle-driven therapy. Psychopathology is understood as a narrowing behavioural repertoire that develops over time through maladaptive strategies to cope with unwanted private events. The six core components of the therapy remain consistent across a wide range of clinical conditions. The approach combines processes of acceptance and mindfulness with those of commitment and behavioural change to produce increased psychological flexibility and an expanded behavioural repertoire. Since its introduction in 1999 an increasing number of trials show promising results for a wide range of conditions.