Atlanta Mental Health Services
ACT Therapy in Atlanta
Acceptance and commitment therapy or ACT Therapy in Atlanta can help people respond to psychological distress in a healthy and productive manner.
Life is unfortunately filled with difficult moments. From personal setbacks to tragic losses, these types of events can have a lasting impact on a person’s life. This is especially true if a person tries to avoid or hide from emotional pain.
Thankfully, there is a better way to deal with the challenges that we all face from time to time.
If you or someone that you care about can benefit from our mental health therapy in Atlanta, New View Wellness may be the ideal place for you.
How Does ACT Therapy in Atlanta Work?
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a type of psychotherapy that was developed by Stephen C. Hayes, PhD, in the 1980s.
The general, overarching goal of ACT is to help people acknowledge distressing thoughts and feelings without overreacting to them or trying to avoid them. Through ACT, people can learn how to act with intention, instead of reacting impulsively in moments of crisis or despair.
As described in a 2017 article in the journal Neurotherapeutics, “ACT rests on the fundamental premise that pain, grief, disappointment, illness, and anxiety are inevitable features of human life.”
The objective of ACT, the authors of the Neurotherapeutics article wrote, is “helping individuals productively adapt to these types of challenges by developing greater psychological flexibility rather than engaging in counterproductive attempts to eliminate or suppress undesirable experiences.”
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Techniques
Acceptance and commitment therapy helps people develop skills in six key areas. These areas are often referred to as the core processes of ACT:
- Acceptance: This skill helps you resist the urge to hide from difficult emotions or engage in unhealthy coping mechanisms. Acceptance doesn’t mean that you simply give in to every bad thing that happens to you. Instead, it encourages you to acknowledge whatever you are feeling, so that you can take appropriate, intentional action.
- Cognitive defusion: This skill empowers you to put a bit of distance between yourself and the negative emotions you’re experiencing. It’s important to understand that defusion isn’t the same as running away from a problem. Instead, it is the act of momentarily stepping back so you can observe your emotions instead of simply being affected by them.
- Being present: Being present is a core concept of mindfulness. Being present allows you to focus on your current environment and experiences without allowing yourself to be distracted by unpleasant memories or worries about the future. In addition to having a positive impact on your state of mind, being present can also help you release tension that you’ve stored in your body.
- Self as context: This core process helps you understand that you are more than your thoughts and feelings. Somewhat similar to cognitive defusion, self as context encourages you to consider your thoughts and emotions from the perspective of an observer, not as one whose behaviors are controlled by negative or otherwise difficult feelings.
- Values: Your values are the concepts and characteristics that are most important to you. Clearly identifying your values is an important part of ACT. Once you’ve accomplished this, you can consider how your behavior patterns either reinforce or undermine your values. ACT can help you use your personal values to guide your decisions and drive your actions.
- Committed action: When you behave in a manner that is consistent with your core values, you are taking committed action. Making a habit of committed action can help you get through difficult situations. It can also prevention you from engaging in avoidance or other self-defeating behaviors that would contradict your values.
Who is a Good Candidate for ACT Therapy in Atlanta?
ACT therapy in Atlanta at New View Wellness can help people who have developed several types of mental health concerns. It has also proved to be beneficial for people whose symptoms are not directly tied to a specific type of mental illness.
Research indicates that ACT can help people who have the following disorders:
- Anxiety disorders
- Borderline personality disorder
- Depression
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Dual Diagnosis Disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Other mental health disorders
ACT can also help people who have been dealing with challenges such as the following:
- Stress
- Chronic pain
- Shame and guilt
- Anger management problems
- Psychosis
For help determining if you are a good candidate for ACT therapy in Atlanta, please contact New View Wellness at your convenience. We can assess your needs and identify the types of therapy that are best for you.
You are not alone. You deserve to get help.
New View Wellness is an industry leader in mental health treatment. Our team of top medical experts specialize in dual diagnosis treatment and are committed to ensuring that each patient is treated as an individual. Call us today, we’re available 24/7.
What is an ACT Session Like?
At New View Wellness in Atlanta, ACT therapy sessions may include a variety of activities.
During your first session, the ACT therapist may explain the features and benefits of this type of therapy. They may also discuss some of the types of activities that you’ll engage in during future sessions.
When you are focusing on skills such as acceptance and being present, you may meditate or participate in breathing activities as a means of quieting your mind and easing symptoms of stress or anxiety.
During sessions that focus on cognitive defusion, you may explore how your body reacts when you think about an unpleasant memory or a stressful situation.
When you are working to clearly establish your core values, you may fill out a worksheet, complete a journaling activity, or participate in another exercise that will help you achieve clarity regarding the concepts that are most important to you.
Throughout your time in ACT therapy, you should always feel free to ask questions if you’re not clear on any of the concepts that are being presented.
How Long Does ACT Therapy Last?
As with most types of mental health treatment, the amount of time a person should remain in ACT therapy can be quite different from one individual to the next.
The goal of ACT therapy in Atlanta at New View Wellness isn’t for you to complete a certain number of sessions or compile a predetermined number of treatment hours. At our center, your customized treatment will be guided by your progress toward your personal goals.
One of the many benefits of ACT is that it can be effective in many types of treatment environments at varying durations. Our team will work with you to determine the length of stay that is best for you.
Benefits of ACT Therapy in Atlanta
Here are just a few of the many potential benefits of taking part in acceptance and commitment therapy at our treatment center in Atlanta:
- New View Wellness is a safe and welcoming place where you will be treated with compassion and respect.
- Outpatient ACT offers considerable flexibility. The only time you will need to be at our center is when you’re taking part in treatment. The remainder of the day is yours to use as you see fit.
- Throughout your time with us, you’ll work with skilled professionals who care about you as a person and who are committed to helping you achieve your goals.
- ACT therapy will be part of a comprehensive treatment plan that we develop just for you.
- The skills you develop during ACT therapy can have many beneficial uses throughout your life. Though your time with us may be relatively brief, we want to be sure we’re preparing you for long-term success.
Find ACT Therapy in Atlanta, Georgia
New View Wellness is a respected provider of acceptance and commitment therapy. Our comprehensive outpatient mental health programming incorporates ACT and an array of other therapeutic approaches. When you choose our center, you can be sure that you will receive the services that align most closely with your individual needs and goals. To learn more about outpatient ACT therapy in Atlanta, Georgia, contact us today.
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