Learning to Practice What I Preach: My Journey with ACT
Learning to Practice What I Preach with ACT
As I near the end of my training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), I’ve noticed how naturally it shapes not just my clinical work but also how I understand people’s pain. ACT feels right to me because it balances practicality and compassion, offering tools without losing sight of our humanity. It doesn’t rush to fix or pathologize, but instead, it honours struggle while gently inviting movement toward what matters.
In sessions, I find myself slowing down, listening differently, and holding discomfort more openly. I’ve realized that growth doesn’t require the absence of pain. Sometimes, simply being present with difficulty creates space for change.
At its heart, ACT cultivates a core principle: psychological flexibility. This means staying present and open to difficult thoughts and feelings, and taking meaningful action guided by values. Instead of asking, “How do I get rid of this feeling?” ACT asks, “How can I move forward with this experience?” That subtle shift has transformed how I think about healing, for clients and for myself.
One of the most powerful concepts for me is that we are not defined by our struggles or diagnoses. ACT’s “observing self” creates a gap between a person and their pain. I’ve seen the relief this brings. Defusion- shifting from “I am a failure” to “I am having the thought that I am a failure”- may seem small, but in practice, it softens shame, eases pressure and allows space to breathe. The principles of ACT emphasize action. Once values become clearer, small, intentional steps highlight the path forward. The beauty of this is that growth doesn’t wait for fear to disappear; it asks only for willingness.
Concomitantly, I have learned how ACT restores choice. When people are trapped in painful thoughts, their past, future, and especially the present can feel so very rigid and predetermined. But even a small separation from a thought can reopen the story, hopefully in a different light. Perhaps in these moments, we can see an opportunity to respond differently, in a manner that aligns with values that are fundamental to our cores as individuals. And really, who doesn’t value choice, especially when we may feel overwhelmed by our perceptions? To me, choice restores dignity and a sense of agency while offering room for real change to unfold, however that may look.
As I continue developing my clinical identity, I have noticed how I naturally weave ACT principles into my work. It feels deeply human, collaborative, and respectful. It doesn’t promise a life without pain or discomfort, but it does offer a way to live meaningfully alongside it. For me, as a humble learner, ACT has become more than a clinical framework. It has become a guide for how I approach growth, for my clients and even for myself.
Tara
