"Get out of your mind and into your life"

ACT Index

1. Understanding Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

• The History of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• What Makes ACT Different?
• Contextual Behavioral Science
• Relational Frame Theory: The Science Behind ACT
• What Is Psychological Flexibility?
• The Six Core Processes of ACT
• Is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Effective?
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Trauma, Anxiety, and Personal Growth

2. The ACT Hexaflex: The Six Core Processes of Psychological Flexibility

• Acceptance
• Cognitive Defusion
• Present Moment Awareness 
• Self-As-Context
• Values
• Committed Actions
• The Unwelcome Party Guest - an ACT Metaphor

3. ACT for Specific Conditions

• ACT for Anxiety Disorders
• ACT for Depression
• ACT for Trauma Recovery
• ACT for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• ACT for Panic Disorder
• ACT for ADHD
• ACT for Grief and LossACT
• ACT for Men
• ACT for Chronic Stress & Burnout
• Navigating the unknown: Dealing with uncertainty
• From Perfectionism to Progress: Embracing Imperfection

4. ACT vs Other Therapies

• ACT vs CBT
• ACT vs EMDR
• ACT vs Mindfulness
•  ACT vs Somatic Therapy
• ACT vs Traditional Talk Therapy
• ACT vs Exposure Therapy

5. ACT Exercises and Techniques: Practical Tools for Building 

• Leaves on a Stream
• Passengers on the Bus
• Tug of War with the Monster
• Choice Point
• The Observing Self
• Values Clarification
• Dropping the Rope
• How do you see the world? - Math Problems versus Sunsets
• The Ripple Effect: How Small Actions Create Profound Changes

6. ACT Resources Center

7. Online ACT Therapy 

• Online ACT Therapy in California
• Online ACT Therapy in Hawaii
• Online ACT Therapy in Florida
• Online ACT Therapy in Virginia
• Online ACT Therapy in Washington DC

8. ACT and Trauma

9. Why Work With Dr. Sven Schild?

10. Frequently Asked Questions

If you have been searching for information about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), you may be wondering: What is ACT therapy? How does ACT work? Is ACT effective for anxiety, trauma, depression, or stress? Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is one of the most widely researched and influential psychotherapy approaches developed in recent decades and is used by psychologists and mental health professionals around the world to help individuals build resilience, improve emotional well-being, and create more meaningful lives.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (commonly referred to as ACT, pronounced as the word "act") is an evidence-based behavioral therapy that helps individuals develop psychological flexibility—the ability to remain present, open, and engaged in life even in the presence of difficult thoughts, emotions, memories, or physical sensations. Rather than attempting to eliminate psychological pain, ACT teaches people how to change their relationship with inner experiences so that they can live more fully in accordance with their values.

ACT has been successfully applied to a wide range of concerns, including anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD, trauma, OCD, chronic stress, grief, relationship difficulties, chronic pain, substance use disorders, ADHD, and many other emotional and behavioral challenges.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy was developed during the 1980s by psychologist and colleagues Kelly Wilson and Kirk Strosahl. Hayes' work emerged from a growing recognition that many traditional approaches to emotional suffering focused heavily on changing or controlling thoughts and feelings. While these approaches could be helpful, Hayes observed that efforts to avoid, suppress, or eliminate unwanted internal experiences often contributed to additional suffering.

This observation led to a fundamental question:

What if psychological health is not primarily about feeling good, but about living well regardless of what we feel?

The answer eventually became the foundation of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Rather than viewing painful emotions as symptoms to eliminate, ACT conceptualizes suffering as a normal and inevitable part of the human experience. The goal of therapy becomes helping individuals develop a different relationship with their thoughts and feelings so that they can pursue meaningful goals and values even when emotional discomfort is present.

Since its development, ACT has grown into one of the most extensively researched behavioral therapies in the world. Hundreds of scientific studies have demonstrated its effectiveness across numerous psychological conditions and populations.

Many people seeking therapy have spent years struggling against anxiety, depression, self-criticism, painful memories, or uncomfortable emotions. They may find themselves caught in a constant battle:

• Trying not to feel anxious
• Trying not to think negative thoughts
• Trying to avoid painful memories
• Trying to suppress emotions
• Trying to eliminate self-doubt

Unfortunately, these efforts often create what ACT calls experiential avoidance—the tendency to avoid or control unwanted internal experiences. While avoidance may provide temporary relief, it frequently narrows a person's life and reinforces suffering over time.

ACT proposes an alternative:

Instead of asking, "How do I get rid of these thoughts and feelings?"

ACT asks:

"How can I live a meaningful life even when difficult thoughts and feelings show up?"

This shift represents one of the central ideas of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

ACT is part of a larger scientific framework known as Contextual Behavioral Science (CBS).

Contextual Behavioral Science examines human behavior within the broader context of an individual's experiences, relationships, environment, culture, and personal history. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, CBS seeks to understand how behaviors function within a person's life.

From this perspective, thoughts and emotions are not inherently good or bad. Instead, the focus is on whether our responses to these experiences move us toward or away from the life we want to live.

For example:

Anxiety itself may not be the primary problem.

Avoiding important experiences because of anxiety may be the problem.

Similarly, sadness is not necessarily unhealthy.

Withdrawing from meaningful relationships because of sadness may be what creates suffering.

This contextual approach helps explain why ACT focuses less on symptom reduction and more on increasing flexibility and engagement in valued living.

One of the unique features of ACT is that it is grounded in a scientific theory of human language and cognition known as Relational Frame Theory (RFT).

Relational Frame Theory attempts to explain how human language contributes both to extraordinary problem-solving abilities and to psychological suffering.

Human beings possess a remarkable ability to think symbolically. We can imagine future events, reflect on past experiences, compare ourselves to others, evaluate situations, and create complex stories about who we are.

These abilities are incredibly useful.

However, they also create opportunities for suffering.

For example:

• A painful memory from years ago can still trigger emotional distress today.
• A critical comment from childhood can continue influencing self-esteem decades later.
• Worries about future events can create anxiety long before anything has actually happened.

RFT suggests that psychological suffering often arises not from experiences themselves, but from how we relate to our thoughts about those experiences.

ACT helps individuals develop greater flexibility in responding to thoughts, rather than becoming trapped by them.

At the heart of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is the concept of psychological flexibility.

Psychological flexibility refers to the ability to:

• Stay present in the current moment
• Open up to difficult emotions
• Respond effectively to life's challenges
• Remain connected to personal values
• Take meaningful action despite discomfort

Research consistently shows that psychological flexibility is associated with:

• Better mental health
• Greater resilience
• Improved relationships
• Lower emotional distress
• Higher life satisfaction

Psychological inflexibility, by contrast, often involves:

• Avoidance
• Emotional suppression
• Rumination
• Self-criticism
• Rigid thinking
• Disconnection from values

Much of ACT therapy focuses on helping individuals move from rigidity toward flexibility.

ACT helps cultivate psychological flexibility through six interconnected processes, often illustrated through the ACT Hexaflex:

Learning to make room for difficult emotions rather than fighting against them.

Creating distance from thoughts rather than becoming entangled in them.

Developing mindful awareness of current experience.

Recognizing that we are more than our thoughts, emotions, or experiences.

Clarifying what truly matters in life.

Taking meaningful steps toward valued goals.

Together, these processes help individuals build lives guided by purpose rather than avoidance.

ACT is considered an evidence-based treatment and has been studied extensively across a wide range of psychological conditions.

Research has demonstrated effectiveness for:

• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• PTSD and trauma
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Chronic pain
• Substance use disorders
• Stress and burnout
• Grief and loss
• ADHD
• Relationship difficulties

Because ACT focuses on universal psychological processes rather than specific diagnoses, it can be applied across many different clinical concerns.

For many individuals, ACT offers a powerful alternative to the struggle against difficult emotions. Rather than promising a life free from pain, ACT helps people develop the skills necessary to respond to suffering with greater openness, compassion, flexibility, and courage.

Whether you are seeking support for trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, grief, or major life transitions, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy provides practical tools for building a life guided by meaning, purpose, and personal values.

At its core, ACT is not about eliminating discomfort—it is about creating the freedom to live fully, even when discomfort is present.

At the heart of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a model known as the ACT Hexaflex. The Hexaflex consists of six interconnected psychological processes that work together to cultivate psychological flexibility—the ability to remain present, open, and engaged in life while responding effectively to challenges and pursuing what matters most.

Rather than attempting to eliminate emotional pain, the ACT Hexaflex helps individuals develop a healthier relationship with thoughts, feelings, memories, and physical sensations. These six processes are not separate techniques but interconnected skills that support resilience, emotional well-being, and meaningful living.

The six core processes are:

1. Acceptance
2. Cognitive Defusion
3. Present Moment Awareness
4. Self-as-Context
5. Values
6. Committed Action

Acceptance involves making room for difficult thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations rather than struggling against them.

Many people naturally attempt to avoid anxiety, sadness, grief, shame, self-doubt, or painful memories. While avoidance may provide temporary relief, it often increases suffering over time and limits a person's ability to engage fully in life.

Acceptance does not mean:

• Liking painful experiences
• Giving up
• Resignation
• Approving of suffering

Instead, acceptance means acknowledging reality as it is and allowing difficult internal experiences to be present without unnecessary resistance.

Imagine standing in the ocean while trying to hold a beach ball underwater.

The more forcefully you push it down, the more energy it requires.

Eventually the ball pops back up with even greater force.

Similarly, the harder we fight our emotions, the more powerful they often become.

Acceptance involves allowing the beach ball to float alongside us rather than exhausting ourselves trying to suppress it.

Making room for emotions by noticing:

• Where they appear in the body
• Their shape or texture
• How they change over time

Asking:

"Am I willing to experience this feeling if it allows me to move toward what matters?"

Learning to stop fighting internal experiences that cannot be controlled.

Related Blog Topics:

• Emotional Avoidance
• Anxiety and Acceptance
• Riding the Wave of Emotion
• Psychological Flexibility

Cognitive defusion refers to changing how we relate to our thoughts.

Many people become fused with thoughts such as:

• "I'm not good enough."
• "I'll fail."
• "Nobody likes me."
• "I'm broken."

When fused, these thoughts feel like objective facts.

Defusion helps us recognize that thoughts are simply mental events—not necessarily truths.

Imagine holding a sheet of paper directly in front of your face.

You can see nothing else.

The paper represents a thought.

Defusion involves moving the paper farther away so that you can still see it while also seeing everything around it.

The thought remains present but no longer dominates awareness.

Imagine placing each thought on a leaf floating down a stream.

Notice the thought.

Allow it to pass.

Return attention to the present moment.

Instead of: "I'm a failure."

You might say: "I'm having the 'I'm a failure' story again."

Repeating a difficult thought in a cartoon voice to weaken its grip.

• Cognitive Biases
• Self-Criticism
• Overthinking
• Anxiety and Rumination

Present Moment Awareness refers to consciously attending to what is happening right now.

Many people spend large portions of their lives:

• Worrying about the future
• Replaying the past
• Judging themselves
• Planning or analyzing

While these abilities are useful, excessive time spent outside the present moment often contributes to anxiety, depression, and emotional distress.

ACT teaches mindfulness skills that help people reconnect with current experience.

Imagine drinking a cup of coffee.

You may be physically holding the cup while mentally replaying yesterday's argument or worrying about tomorrow's meeting.

Mindfulness involves fully noticing:

• The smell
• The warmth
• The taste
• The sensation of holding the mug

This simple shift brings attention back to life as it is unfolding.

Notice:

• Five things you see
• Four things you feel
• Three things you hear
• Two things you smell
• One thing you taste

Returning attention to the breath whenever the mind wanders.

Paying attention to bodily sensations during movement.

• Mindfulness
• Stress Reduction
• Anxiety Management
• Nervous System Regulation

One of the most unique aspects of ACT is the concept of Self-as-Context.

Many people define themselves through:

• Thoughts
• Emotions
• Diagnoses
• Life experiences

Examples:

• "I am anxious."
• "I am damaged."
• "I am depressed."

ACT proposes that there is a deeper aspect of self that exists beyond these experiences.

Self-as-Context is the observing part of ourselves that notices thoughts, feelings, memories, and sensations without being defined by them.

Imagine the sky and the weather.

Thoughts and emotions are like clouds.

Sometimes they are dark and stormy.

Sometimes they are bright and clear.

The sky remains present regardless of the weather.

Self-as-Context is like the sky.

Noticing thoughts without becoming them.

Thoughts and emotions are chess pieces.

You are the board that contains them.

Asking:

"What is aware of this thought right now?"

• Identity
• Self-Esteem
• Shame
• Trauma Recovery

Values represent personally meaningful directions in life.

Unlike goals, values are ongoing qualities of action.

Examples include:

• Compassion
• Honesty
• Courage
• Connection
• Curiosity
• Growth
• Authenticity

Values provide guidance even during difficult times.

A person may value connection.

Even when experiencing anxiety, they can choose actions that move them toward meaningful relationships.

Values help people organize their lives around what matters most rather than around avoidance.

Exploring:

• Relationships
• Career
• Health
• Personal growth
• Community

Reflecting on how one hopes to be remembered.

Imagining what loved ones might say about the life you lived.

• Living with Purpose
• Meaning and Fulfillment
• Personal Growth
• Authentic Living

Committed Action involves taking meaningful steps aligned with personal values.

Values tell us where we want to go.

Committed Action helps us move in that direction.

Importantly, action often comes before motivation.

Many people wait to feel confident before acting.

ACT encourages action despite discomfort.

A person who values connection may:

• Join a social group
• Reach out to a friend
• Go on a date

even while experiencing anxiety.

The goal is not to eliminate fear before acting.

The goal is to act in service of values while making room for fear.

Breaking large goals into manageable actions.

Creating specific value-driven actions each week.

Asking:

• Does this action move me toward my values?
• Or away from them?

• Taking the Leap
• Building Confidence
• Overcoming Avoidance
• Personal Growth

The six processes of the ACT Hexaflex work together to foster psychological flexibility. Acceptance helps us make room for difficult experiences. Cognitive Defusion helps us step back from unhelpful thoughts. Present Moment Awareness grounds us in the here and now. Self-as-Context reminds us that we are more than our thoughts and feelings. Values clarify what matters most. Committed Action helps us build a meaningful life guided by those values.

Together, these skills form the foundation of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and offer a practical roadmap for responding to life's challenges with greater resilience, self-compassion, and purpose.

1. Understanding Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

2. The ACT Hexaflex: The Six Core Processes of Psychological Flexibility

3. ACT for Specific Conditions

4. ACT vs Other Therapies

5. ACT Exercises and Techniques: Practical Tools for Building 

6. ACT Resources Center

7. Online ACT Therapy 

8. ACT and Trauma

9. Why Work With Dr. Sven Schild?

10. Frequently Asked Questions

The concept of uncertainty is a fundamental aspect of the human experience, yet it often triggers distress and anxiety when faced with unknown outcomes or unpredictable situations. ACT offers a unique approach to addressing uncertainty by encouraging individuals to embrace it rather than avoid or control it. In ACT, clients learn to accept the presence of uncertainty as a natural part of life and to cultivate mindfulness skills to observe their thoughts and emotions without judgment. Through values clarification exercises, clients identify what truly matters to them and commit to taking actions aligned with their values, even in the face of uncertainty. By developing psychological flexibility and willingness to experience discomfort, individuals can reduce the impact of uncertainty on their lives and pursue meaningful goals despite the inherent unpredictability of the future. ACT empowers clients to embrace uncertainty as an opportunity for growth and resilience rather than a source of fear or avoidance.

One of the most common questions people ask when exploring psychotherapy is: "Which therapy approach is right for me?" While there is no single therapy that works best for everyone, understanding the differences between various evidence-based treatments can help you make a more informed decision.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) shares similarities with many other therapeutic approaches while also offering a unique perspective on emotional suffering, psychological growth, and lasting change. Rather than focusing solely on symptom reduction, ACT emphasizes psychological flexibility, values-based living, and developing a healthier relationship with difficult thoughts and emotions.

The following sections compare ACT with several other commonly used therapeutic approaches.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) share common roots within behavioral psychology and are both considered evidence-based treatments for a wide range of mental health concerns.

However, they differ in how they approach thoughts and emotions.

CBT often focuses on identifying and modifying distorted or unhelpful thoughts.

Examples:

• Challenging negative beliefs
• Examining evidence for thoughts
• Replacing cognitive distortions
• Developing more balanced thinking patterns

A CBT therapist may ask: 

"Is this thought accurate?"

or

"What evidence supports this belief?"

ACT places less emphasis on determining whether thoughts are true or false.

Instead, ACT focuses on how individuals relate to their thoughts.

An ACT therapist may ask:

"Is this thought helping you live the life you want to live?"

or

"Can you make room for this thought while still moving toward what matters?"

CBT

• Challenges thoughts
• Focuses on cognitive restructuring
• Symptom reduction often emphasized
• Evaluates accuracy of thoughts

ACT

• Changes relationship with thoughts
• Focuses on cognitive defusion
• Psychological flexibility emphasized
• Evaluates usefulness of responses

Research suggests that both CBT and ACT can be highly effective.

Some individuals prefer CBT's structured focus on thought modification, while others find ACT's acceptance-based approach more helpful when dealing with chronic anxiety, trauma, shame, grief, or difficult life circumstances that cannot easily be changed.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) are both effective treatments, but they serve different functions.

EMDR focuses primarily on processing and resolving traumatic memories.

It is often used for:

• PTSD
• Complex trauma
• Childhood trauma
• Attachment trauma
• Distressing life experiences

EMDR helps the brain reprocess memories so they become less emotionally activating.

ACT focuses less on specific memories and more on how individuals relate to their current thoughts, emotions, and experiences.

ACT helps clients:

• Build psychological flexibility
• Clarify values
• Reduce avoidance
• Increase resilience

In many cases, ACT and EMDR complement one another beautifully.

EMDR may help process traumatic memories.

ACT may help clients:

• Stay present during treatment
• Manage emotional discomfort
• Reconnect with meaningful goals
• Build a life beyond trauma

Because of this, many trauma therapists integrate ACT principles alongside EMDR therapy.

EMDR may be particularly beneficial when unresolved traumatic memories remain highly distressing.

ACT may be particularly helpful when individuals are struggling with avoidance, anxiety, self-criticism, or difficulty moving toward meaningful goals.

Mindfulness plays an important role within ACT, but ACT is much broader than mindfulness alone.

Mindfulness involves intentionally paying attention to present-moment experience with openness, curiosity, and nonjudgment.

Common mindfulness practices include:

• Meditation
• Breathing exercises
• Body scans
• Present-moment awareness exercises

ACT incorporates mindfulness but also includes:

• Acceptance
• Cognitive Defusion
• Values Clarification
• Self-as-Context
• Committed Action

ACT asks not only:

"Can you become more present?"

but also:

"What kind of life do you want to create?"

Mindfulness teaches awareness.

ACT teaches awareness in service of meaningful action.

For many people, ACT provides a practical framework for applying mindfulness skills directly to everyday challenges and life goals.

Both ACT and Somatic Therapy recognize that emotional experiences involve more than thoughts alone.

However, their primary focus differs.

Somatic approaches such as:

• Somatic Experiencing®
• Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
• Body-oriented trauma therapies

focus heavily on:

• Nervous system regulation
• Bodily sensations
• Movement patterns
• Implicit memory
• Physiological responses

Somatic therapy emphasizes the body's role in healing trauma and emotional distress.

ACT primarily focuses on:

• Psychological flexibility
• Thoughts and emotions
• Mindfulness
• Values
• Behavioral change

While ACT certainly incorporates awareness of bodily experiences, it does not typically emphasize nervous system regulation to the same degree as somatic approaches.

Many clients benefit from integrating both approaches.

Somatic Therapy may help regulate the nervous system.

ACT may help individuals build a more flexible and compassionate relationship with their inner experiences.

Together they can support healing at both psychological and physiological levels.

Traditional talk therapy often involves exploring:

• Relationships
• Childhood experiences
• Emotional patterns
• Current life challenges

Insight and self-understanding can be powerful components of healing.

ACT certainly values insight, but it places greater emphasis on:

• Skills development
• Behavioral change
• Mindfulness
• Values
• Psychological flexibility

ACT is generally more experiential and action-oriented than many traditional insight-focused therapies.

A traditional therapist may ask:

"Why do you think this pattern developed?"

An ACT therapist may ask:

"Given that this pattern exists, what would help you move toward the life you want?"

Traditional therapy often focuses on understanding problems.

ACT focuses on building flexibility and creating meaningful change.

Both approaches can be valuable, and many therapists integrate elements of each.

Exposure Therapy is considered one of the most effective treatments for anxiety disorders, OCD, phobias, and PTSD.

Exposure involves gradually confronting feared situations, thoughts, memories, or sensations.

The goal is to reduce avoidance and increase tolerance for discomfort.

ACT also encourages willingness to experience discomfort, but it frames exposure differently.

Rather than focusing solely on reducing fear, ACT emphasizes:

• Acceptance
• Values
• Willingness
• Psychological flexibility

An ACT therapist might ask:

"What meaningful action becomes possible when you stop organizing your life around fear?"

Many contemporary clinicians integrate ACT and Exposure Therapy.

ACT often enhances exposure work by helping clients:

• Increase willingness
• Reduce avoidance
• Build motivation
• Stay connected to personal values

This combination can be particularly effective for:

• Anxiety disorders
• OCD
• Panic disorder
• Social anxiety
• Trauma-related avoidance

Every therapy approach offers unique strengths, and many experienced clinicians integrate multiple evidence-based modalities depending on the needs of the individual.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy stands out because it helps people develop the psychological flexibility to navigate life's challenges while remaining connected to what matters most. Rather than promising a life free from pain, ACT teaches individuals how to build a rich, meaningful, and purposeful life alongside the inevitable difficulties that accompany being human.

For many people, ACT works exceptionally well on its own. For others, it can be effectively combined with EMDR therapy, Somatic Experiencing®, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, mindfulness practices, exposure-based treatments, and other evidence-based approaches to support lasting growth and healing.

1. Understanding Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

2. The ACT Hexaflex: The Six Core Processes of Psychological Flexibility

3. ACT for Specific Conditions

4. ACT vs Other Therapies

5. ACT Exercises and Techniques: Practical Tools for Building 

6. ACT Resources Center

7. Online ACT Therapy 

8. ACT and Trauma

9. Why Work With Dr. Sven Schild?

10. Frequently Asked Questions

Often, people encapsulate their experiences in narrow, limiting stories that only reveal a fraction of their reality.  The concept of slow is fast and small is big challenges the idea that significant change can only occur through monumental events and rapid resolutions.

Consider the metaphor of standing in front of an elephant's leg and perceiving it as the trunk of a tree. This distorted view represents the incomplete narratives individuals construct about their lives. In the context of ACT, this metaphor underscores the tendency to misinterpret or oversimplify complex situations. However, when one steps back, takes a slower and more deliberate examination, and embraces a broader perspective, the full reality of the entire elephant becomes apparent.

Similarly, ACT encourages individuals to step back from their immediate thoughts, emotions, and narratives, allowing them to gain a more comprehensive understanding of their experiences. "Small is big" emphasizes the significance of small, mindful steps, recognizing that subtle changes and everyday actions can lead to profound transformations over time. "Slow is fast" challenges the impulse for quick fixes, advocating for a patient and thorough exploration of one's values and experiences, ultimately fostering lasting and meaningful change.

By incorporating the principles of "small is big and slow is fast" into the therapeutic process, individuals can move beyond the constraints of their narrow narratives, embracing a more holistic view of their lives. This mindset shift promotes psychological flexibility, encouraging clients to adapt to life's challenges with a deeper understanding and a commitment to actions aligned with their values.

1. Understanding Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

2. The ACT Hexaflex: The Six Core Processes of Psychological Flexibility

3. ACT for Specific Conditions

4. ACT vs Other Therapies

5. ACT Exercises and Techniques: Practical Tools for Building 

6. ACT Resources Center

7. Online ACT Therapy 

8. ACT and Trauma

9. Why Work With Dr. Sven Schild?

10. Frequently Asked Questions

If you are searching for an ACT therapist, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy near me, online ACT therapy, virtual ACT therapy, telehealth ACT therapist, or an ACT psychologist accepting Cigna, online therapy may provide a convenient and effective way to access evidence-based mental health treatment from the comfort and privacy of your home.

As a licensed clinical psychologist, I provide online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for adults throughout California, Hawaii, Florida, Virginia, and Washington DC. My practice specializes in helping individuals navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, stress, burnout, relationship challenges, grief, life transitions, and other emotional difficulties through secure telehealth services.

ACT is one of the most widely researched behavioral therapies available today and has been shown to be effective for a wide range of mental health concerns. Rather than focusing solely on symptom reduction, ACT helps individuals develop greater psychological flexibility, strengthen emotional resilience, clarify personal values, and build more meaningful and fulfilling lives.

Many individuals searching for:

• ACT therapist accepting Cigna
• ACT therapist accepting Evernorth
• Cigna psychologist
• Cigna therapist
• Cigna ACT therapist
• Evernorth mental health provider
• Online therapy with Cigna
• Telehealth therapy covered by Cigna
• Cigna psychologist California
• Cigna psychologist Virginia
• Cigna therapist Florida
• Evernorth therapist Hawaii
• Cigna therapist Washington DC

are looking for a therapist who combines specialized expertise with insurance accessibility.

I am currently in-network with Cigna/Evernorth, allowing many clients to access high-quality psychotherapy using their mental health benefits. Coverage and out-of-pocket costs vary by plan, so I encourage clients to verify their specific benefits directly with Cigna/Evernorth.

For individuals with insurance plans that I do not accept, I can provide monthly superbills that may be submitted for possible out-of-network reimbursement depending on your policy.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can be particularly effective for individuals experiencing:

• Anxiety disorders
• Generalized anxiety
• Social anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Depression
• Trauma and PTSD
• Complex PTSD
• Chronic stress
• Burnout
• Grief and loss
• Relationship difficulties
• Perfectionism
• Self-criticism
• Low self-esteem
• Life transitions
• Emotional avoidance
• Men's mental health concerns

ACT helps clients develop practical skills for responding to difficult thoughts and emotions while remaining connected to what matters most in their lives.

As a licensed psychologist in California, I provide online ACT therapy throughout California, including Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Jose, Riverside, Fresno, Oakland, and surrounding communities.Individuals searching for ACT therapist California, online ACT therapy California, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy California, or Cigna therapist California can access treatment through secure telehealth sessions without the need to travel to an office.

I also provide online ACT therapy in Hawaii, serving clients throughout Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island.Whether you are searching for an ACT therapist Hawaii, online therapy Hawaii, Cigna therapist Hawaii, or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Hawaii, telehealth allows individuals across the islands to access specialized mental health care from their home or workplace.

I also provide online ACT therapy in Hawaii, serving clients throughout Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island.Whether you are searching for an ACT therapist Hawaii, online therapy Hawaii, Cigna therapist Hawaii, or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Hawaii, telehealth allows individuals across the islands to access specialized mental health care from their home or workplace.

For adults living in Florida, I provide virtual ACT therapy throughout the state, including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Jacksonville, Naples, Sarasota, and surrounding areas.Individuals searching for ACT therapist Florida, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Florida, online therapist Florida, or Cigna therapist Florida may benefit from secure telehealth services designed to support long-term emotional well-being and personal growth.

I provide online ACT therapy throughout Virginia, including Northern Virginia, Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Richmond, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Charlottesville, Roanoke, and surrounding communities.Individuals seeking an ACT therapist Virginia, online ACT therapy Virginia, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Virginia, or a Cigna psychologist Virginia can access evidence-based care through secure video sessions.

For adults living in the District of Columbia, I offer online ACT therapy in Washington DC for anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, burnout, grief, and relationship concerns.Whether you are searching for an ACT therapist Washington DC, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy DC, online therapy Washington DC, or a Cigna therapist DC, telehealth provides a flexible and accessible option for receiving specialized psychological services.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is not about eliminating difficult thoughts and emotions. Instead, it helps individuals develop the flexibility to respond to life's challenges with greater openness, self-compassion, resilience, and purpose.If you are looking for an ACT therapist accepting Cigna/Evernorth, online ACT therapy, virtual therapy for anxiety, telehealth trauma therapy, or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in California, Hawaii, Florida, Virginia, or Washington DC, I would be happy to discuss whether my services may be a good fit for your needs.

1. Understanding Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

2. The ACT Hexaflex: The Six Core Processes of Psychological Flexibility

3. ACT for Specific Conditions

4. ACT vs Other Therapies

5. ACT Exercises and Techniques: Practical Tools for Building 

6. ACT Resources Center

7. Online ACT Therapy 

8. ACT and Trauma

9. Why Work With Dr. Sven Schild?

10. Frequently Asked Questions

Choosing a therapist is an important decision. While many mental health professionals incorporate elements of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy into their work, relatively few have pursued extensive specialized training with the leading developers, researchers, and trainers who helped shape ACT into one of today's most respected evidence-based therapies.

As a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with more than 20 years of clinical experience, I have spent the past decade deepening my expertise in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy through advanced training, consultation, and continuing education with many of the most influential voices in the ACT community.

My ACT training includes coursework with Dr. Steven C. Hayes, one of the founders of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and the originator of the psychological flexibility model that underlies ACT. I have also completed advanced training with Dr. Kelly Wilson, a co-founder of ACT whose work has helped shape the field for decades, as well as Dr. Robyn Walser, a leading ACT trainer and author known for her work applying ACT to trauma, anxiety, anger, and emotional resilience. Additional training with Emily Sandoz, PhD, and Matthew Booney, LCSW, has further strengthened my understanding of ACT principles and their practical application in psychotherapy.

Beyond my ACT training, I bring a broad trauma-informed perspective to treatment as an EMDRIA-Certified EMDR Therapist, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, and Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner (SEP). This allows me to integrate ACT with other evidence-based approaches when clinically appropriate, helping clients address not only difficult thoughts and emotions, but also the impact of trauma, attachment wounds, nervous system dysregulation, and longstanding patterns of avoidance.

My approach to ACT is collaborative, experiential, and compassionate. Rather than focusing solely on symptom reduction, I help clients develop greater psychological flexibility, strengthen emotional resilience, clarify personal values, and build lives that feel meaningful and authentic. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, self-criticism, relationship challenges, or life transitions, ACT offers practical tools for navigating life's inevitable difficulties while moving toward what matters most.

If you are looking for an ACT therapist, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy psychologist, or online ACT therapy in California, Hawaii, Florida, Virginia, or Washington DC, I would be honored to support you on your journey toward greater flexibility, resilience, and well-being.