Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is a relatively recent therapy that includes using mindfulness and behavioural techniques to address a range of psychological problems. It has been shown to be effective in the treatment of anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, substance abuse, stress in the workplace, and a number of other mental health problems.
The assumption is that the human mind is considered to be normal in its tendency to process information negatively, and that it can become destructive and create psychological suffering. ACT takes the stance that our attempts to get rid of psychological symptoms by using avoidance and emotional control, are in fact what perpetuate symptoms and give rise to psychological disorders.
The goal of therapy is to help you to open up to accept your thoughts and feelings as they are, both negative and positive. In therapy you learn how to do this and are encouraged to make contact with the present moment, to watch your thinking and engage in pure awareness. You are also helped to identify your values so you can act according to what really matters.
The overall aim is to help you lead a meaningful life while accepting the pain that goes along with it.