Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with Megan Y. Bruce, LCSW

Posted by Meganbruce Lcsw on August 18th, 2024

Introduction

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a powerful, evidence-based approach that helps individuals embrace their thoughts and emotions rather than fighting against them. By focusing on acceptance, mindfulness, and value-driven action, ACT enables individuals to lead more fulfilling lives. Megan Y. Bruce, LCSW, specializes in ACT, offering personalized therapy to help clients navigate life’s challenges. This article explores the benefits and techniques of ACT, how it works, how to determine if it’s right for you, and how it compares to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

Benefits and Techniques of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Benefits of ACT:

1. Psychological Flexibility: ACT enhances your ability to adapt to changing situations and emotions, allowing you to respond more effectively to life’s challenges.
2. Emotional Resilience: By accepting emotions rather than avoiding them, you can build resilience and reduce the impact of negative experiences.
3. Mindfulness: ACT incorporates mindfulness practices that help you stay present, reducing stress and anxiety.
4. Value-Driven Action: ACT helps you clarify your core values and take meaningful actions that align with those values.
5. Reduced Avoidance: ACT addresses avoidance behaviors that can contribute to anxiety and depression, encouraging proactive engagement with life.
6. Self-Acceptance: ACT fosters self-compassion and acceptance, helping you embrace yourself as you are.
7. Stress Management: Through acceptance and mindfulness, ACT provides tools to manage stress more effectively.
8. Support for Chronic Conditions: ACT is beneficial for managing chronic pain and long-term health conditions by focusing on living well despite challenges.
9. Improved Mental Health: ACT is effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues by focusing on acceptance and action.
10. Long-Term Change: ACT promotes lasting change by helping you commit to actions that are consistent with your values.

Techniques Used in ACT:

1. Cognitive Defusion: This technique helps you change your relationship with your thoughts, reducing their power over your behavior.
2. Acceptance: ACT teaches you to accept emotions and thoughts without trying to change them, which reduces their negative impact.
3. Mindfulness: ACT incorporates mindfulness exercises to help you stay present and engaged in the moment.
4. Values Clarification: Identifying your core values helps guide your actions and decisions, leading to a more fulfilling life.
5. Committed Action: ACT encourages you to take meaningful steps toward your goals, even when faced with challenges.

How Does Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Work?

ACT works by combining mindfulness with behavioral strategies to increase psychological flexibility. This process involves:

• Acceptance: Learning to accept thoughts and feelings rather than struggling against them.
• Defusion: Recognizing thoughts as just thoughts, not facts, which reduces their influence on your behavior.
• Mindfulness: Staying present and fully engaged with the current moment, reducing stress and increasing awareness.
• Values: Clarifying what truly matters to you, which helps guide your actions and decisions.
• Committed Action: Taking steps that align with your values, even in the face of obstacles.

In therapy, Megan Y. Bruce, LCSW, will work with you to apply these principles to your specific situation, helping you navigate life’s challenges with greater ease and purpose.

How Do You Know if You Need Acceptance and Commitment Therapy?

You might benefit from ACT if:

• You Struggle with Negative Thoughts: If you find yourself overwhelmed by negative thoughts and emotions, ACT can help you change your relationship with these experiences.
• You Avoid Difficult Situations: If you tend to avoid situations or emotions that make you uncomfortable, ACT can help you confront these challenges and reduce avoidance behaviors.
• You Feel Stuck: If you’re struggling to find direction or purpose in your life, ACT can help you clarify your values and take meaningful action.
• You Experience Persistent Anxiety or Depression: ACT is effective for managing anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues by focusing on acceptance and value-driven action.
• You Have a Chronic Condition: If you’re dealing with chronic pain or a long-term health issue, ACT can help you manage your condition while living a fulfilling life.

Difference Between Acceptance and Commitment Therapy vs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

ACT vs. CBT:

• Focus on Thoughts: CBT aims to change negative or distorted thoughts to improve emotions and behaviors. ACT focuses on accepting thoughts without trying to change them, emphasizing living in alignment with your values.
• Goal Orientation: CBT often focuses on symptom reduction, while ACT emphasizes living a meaningful life even in the presence of difficult thoughts and feelings.
• Mindfulness: While CBT may include some mindfulness practices, ACT makes mindfulness a central component of therapy, helping clients stay present and engaged with life.
• Approach to Emotions: In CBT, clients work to change or manage their emotional responses. In ACT, clients learn to accept their emotions as they are and reduce the struggle against them.

Is ACT or CBT Better?

Choosing Between ACT and CBT:

• When ACT May Be Better: ACT may be more suitable for individuals who feel stuck, are struggling with chronic conditions, or prefer a mindfulness-based approach. It’s also effective for those who want to focus on living a meaningful life despite challenges.
• When CBT May Be Better: CBT may be more effective for individuals who benefit from a structured, problem-solving approach aimed at reducing specific symptoms, such as those related to anxiety disorders or phobias.

Ultimately, the best approach depends on your individual needs and preferences. Megan Y. Bruce, LCSW, can help you determine which therapy is right for you, offering personalized guidance and support.

Meet Therapist Megan Y. Bruce, LCSW

Megan Y. Bruce, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker with expertise in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Megan is dedicated to helping clients lead more fulfilling lives by teaching them how to accept their thoughts and emotions while committing to actions that align with their values.

Reach Out Today

If you’re interested in exploring Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or other therapeutic approaches, contact Megan Y. Bruce, LCSW, at 408.805.4385 or visit Meganbrucelcsw.com to schedule a consultation and begin your journey towards healing.

Other Therapy Services Offered

In addition to ACT, Megan Y. Bruce, LCSW, offers a range of therapeutic services, including:

• Treatment for Eating Disorders
• ADD/ADHD support
• Parenting guidance
• Depression therapy
• Anxiety management
• Compulsive Behavior treatment
• Self-Esteem building
• Family Conflict resolution
• Grief and loss counseling
• LGBTQIA+ support
• Women’s health services

Megan Y. Bruce provides a nurturing and supportive environment where individuals can explore their challenges and work towards meaningful and lasting change.