ACT - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Miscellaneous Documents

ACT Information Summary Sheet

ACT Terms and Definitions

Hexaflex (6 interrelated core processes that build psychological flexibility — the ability to stay open, aware, and engaged in valued living, even in the presence of difficult thoughts or emotions.

1. Defusion

Hands as Thoughts and Feelings (how fusion blocks awareness; moving hands outward shows defusion and re-engagement)

Pushing Away Paper (futility of struggling with thoughts; letting go allows space and freedom)

The Mind as a Story Teller (mind continually generates narratives; we can observe them rather than obey them.)

NNNPW - notice name normalize purpose workability

Notice and Naming

Thoughts as Stories (label recurring thought patterns (“Ah, the ‘I’m not good enough’ story”).

Passengers on the Bus (thoughts and feelings are “passengers” that can ride along as you move toward values)

Tug-of-War With a Gorilla

Leaves on a Stream

Stage Show

Making Room for Discomfort

2. Acceptance (Opening Up to Inner Experiences)

The Struggle Switch (resistance magnifies suffering)

Pushing Away Paper (resistance magnifies suffering)

Struggling vs. Opening Up

Hands as Thoughts and Feelings (allowing experiences without avoidance)

Tolerance vs. Acceptance (Distinguishes enduring discomfort from willingly allowing it)

Dropping Anchor - How to (first step) (Promotes grounding and mindful engagement)

Dropping Anchor - Audio

Worry Time (practice acceptance of worry’s presence while reducing its control)

3. Contact with the Present Moment (Mindfulness)

Mindfulness (basic) - recording

Drop Anchor - How to (full practice) (promotes grounding and mindful engagement)

Noticing vs. Thinking (cultivates present awareness of internal and external experience)

Noticing vs. Thinking - recording

Join the D.O.T.S. (distraction, opting out, thinking strategies, substances)

NNNPW - notice name normalize purpose workability (notice and name steps)

4. Self as Context (The Observing Self)

Hands as Thoughts and Feelings (builds the capacity to see from the “observer” perspective)

The Mind as a Story Teller (observing the mind’s stories)

Thoughts as Stories (builds the capacity to see from the “observer” perspective)

Stage Show Metaphor

The Sky and Weather Metaphor (the noticing self)

The Sky and Weather - Recording (the noticing self)

Chessboard Metaphor

Self-Compassion. (audio - A Compassionate Hand)

5. Values (Knowing What Matters)

Values Compass (metaphor for using values as a navigation system, not a destination)

Values Checklist (helps identify meaningful life domains)

Values Definition (qualities of ongoing action — how you want to behave, not achieve)

Bull’s Eye (assesses alignment between actions and values)

Join the D.O.T.S. (distraction, opting out, thinking strategies, substances)

NNNPW - notice name normalize purpose workability (Connects current experience back to what matters most)

6. Committed Action (Doing What Matters)

Choice Point - (map for identifying “away moves” and “toward moves” (values-based)

Bull’s Eye (turns values into actionable behavioral goals)

Join the D.O.T.S. (distraction, opting out, thinking strategies, substances) - small values aligned actions

NNNPW - workability step (connects whether current actions serve values)

Worry Time (set boundaries and re-engage with meaningful activity)