Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and the Third Wave of Behavior Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a mindfulness, acceptance, and values-based psychotherapy, grounded in the behavioral and cognitive behavioral traditions. ACT attempts to alter the normal impact of human cognition in order to increase the capacity for behavior change. The present paper briefly discusses philosophical and theoretical positions of ACT along with empirical supports for ACT theory. An overview of ACT intervention is given, followed by ACT outcome data in a variety of psychological disorders. Finally, an ACT case report is provided. Key terms: Acceptance; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; Cognitive Defusion; Mindfulness; Relational Frame Theory; Values;