At Mountain Valley Treatment Center, our mission is to help adolescents and young adults overcome the challenges posed by anxiety, OCD, and related disorders. Among the many evidence-based approaches we employ, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) stands out as a cornerstone of our therapeutic framework. This dynamic modality not only complements other interventions, such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), but also empowers our residents to embrace their inner experiences while pursuing a life aligned with their values.

What is ACT?

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT (pronounced as a single word, “act”), is a mindfulness-based behavioral therapy that focuses on psychological flexibility. Developed by psychologist Steven C. Hayes, ACT combines acceptance strategies with commitment and behavior-change techniques to help individuals live meaningful lives despite the presence of difficult thoughts and feelings. The approach revolves around six core processes:

  1.   Acceptance: Allowing inner experiences, such as thoughts, feelings, and sensations, to exist without unnecessary struggle.
  2.   Cognitive Defusion: Learning to unhook from unhelpful thoughts by viewing them as transient mental events rather than absolute truths.
  3.   Being Present: Cultivating mindful awareness of the current moment.
  4.   Self-as-Context: Recognizing oneself as distinct from thoughts and emotions.
  5.   Values: Identifying what truly matters and provides meaning.
  6.   Committed Action: Taking effective steps toward a life guided by those values.

How We Use ACT at Mountain Valley

At Mountain Valley, ACT plays a pivotal role in helping residents navigate their anxiety and OCD. Our clinicians integrate this approach into individual and group therapy sessions, tailoring interventions to meet the unique needs of each resident.

1. Acceptance: Making Peace with Inner Experiences

A key aspect of ACT is teaching residents to accept their inner experiences without judgment or resistance. For example, a resident struggling with OCD might feel an intense urge to perform a compulsion. Through ACT, they learn to allow that urge to exist without acting on it. This process is often explained using metaphors, such as “the wave in the ocean,” which illustrates how thoughts and feelings rise, peak, and eventually fall if we let them.

To facilitate this acceptance, we teach residents specific coping skills, such as the “ACE” technique:

  • Anchor: Ground yourself in the present moment.
  • Cope: Weather the emotional storm with mindfulness.
  • Engage: Focus on the task or value-driven behavior at hand.

2. Values: Defining What Matters Most

Connecting with personal values is at the heart of ACT. At Mountain Valley, we help residents explore what truly matters to them, such as family, friendships, education, or personal growth. By identifying their values, residents can begin to align their actions with these guiding principles. For instance, a resident who values connection might choose to attend a group activity despite their social anxiety.

3. Committed Action: Taking Steps Toward a Meaningful Life

With acceptance and values as a foundation, ACT encourages residents to take effective, value-driven actions. This means facing fears and discomforts while staying true to their values. For example, a resident with emetophobia (fear of vomiting) may attend school or eat meals despite their anxiety, guided by their commitment to education and health.

4. Enhancing ERP with ACT

ACT complements ERP, a widely recognized treatment for OCD and anxiety. While ERP focuses on gradual exposure to feared stimuli and preventing avoidance or compulsive responses, ACT enhances this process by addressing internal experiences. Residents learn to accept their anxiety or fear while continuing to engage in exposure tasks. This dual approach ensures that residents not only confront their fears but also develop resilience and psychological flexibility.

Tangible Skills for Everyday Use

ACT provides residents with practical skills that extend beyond therapy sessions. One particularly impactful skill is thought defusion, which helps residents unhook from unhelpful thoughts. By recognizing thoughts as temporary mental events rather than absolute truths, residents can reduce the power these thoughts hold. For example, instead of saying, “I can’t do this,” a resident might reframe it as, “I’m noticing the thought that I can’t do this,” creating space to act in line with their values.

ACT in Action: Building a Rich, Full Life

The ultimate goal of ACT at Mountain Valley is to help residents live rich, full, and meaningful lives. This means embracing all aspects of their experience—both the joys and the challenges. Residents come to understand that a valued life includes discomfort and that growth often happens outside their comfort zones. By embodying ACT principles, our clinicians model resilience and authenticity, fostering a supportive and transformative environment for our residents.

Resources for Learning More

If you’re curious about ACT, consider exploring these resources:

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