Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in Calgary

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in Calgary for Anxiety, Stress, and Emotional Resilience

We all grapple with the challenges of navigating life at times, and sometimes people find themselves overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, or persistent negative thoughts. When we feel particularly stuck or discouraged, extra support helps us build resilience and find hope and joy again.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based approach that empowers individuals to embrace acceptance, mindfulness, and valued action to facilitate change and personal growth.

By promoting adaptive coping strategies and approaches to challenges, ACT offers a pathway toward greater emotional resilience and enhanced quality of life.

ACT fosters a supportive environment where individuals can explore their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors with compassion and understanding.

Lori Helfenbaum

Registered Social Worker (she/her)

Peter Driftmier

Registered Social Worker (He/Him)

Anna Robertshaw

Registered Social Worker (She/Her)

Nicole Caines

Registered Psychologist (She/Her)

Monika Pakstas

Registered Social Worker (She/Her)

What is ACT?

Unlike traditional cognitive-behavioral approaches, ACT does not aim to eliminate or suppress unwanted thoughts and emotions. It aims to change our relationship with them. It encourages individuals to accept these experiences without judgment while focusing on actions aligned with their own core values. In doing so, thoughts and emotions can exist without holding too much power over the individual.

By nurturing this psychological flexibility, ACT supports individuals to develop the skills they need to respond adaptively to life’s challenges and enhance their overall well-being. Clients can then apply these skills to all areas of life.

Through a collaborative therapeutic process, clients learn to cultivate self-awareness, develop insight into their thought patterns, and build resilience in the face of adversity.

How Does ACT Work?

ACT focuses on several key principles, including mindfulness, acceptance, and commitment to action.

During therapy sessions, individuals learn to cultivate mindfulness skills, enabling them to observe their thoughts and emotions with openness and curiosity.

Therapists also employ various techniques such as cognitive defusion, experiential exercises, and values clarification to help clients develop psychological flexibility.

Through consistent practice and commitment to valued action, individuals can begin to break free from unhelpful patterns of behavior, leading to greater life satisfaction and fulfillment.

This approach emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment and taking committed action toward meaningful goals while nurturing a sense of empowerment and self-determination.

As clients integrate these principles into their daily lives, they often experience profound shifts in their perception of self and the world around them.

What Does ACT Help With?

Research on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy has demonstrated its effectiveness across a wide range of psychological and emotional difficulties.

Some of the mental health challenges ACT may be used to treat include:

Anxiety Disorders: ACT helps individuals manage anxious thoughts and feelings by fostering acceptance and mindfulness, enabling them to respond more effectively to stressors.
Depression: By promoting values-based action and acceptance of difficult emotions, ACT assists individuals in breaking free from depressive cycles and cultivating a sense of purpose and vitality.
Chronic Pain: ACT teaches individuals coping strategies to live more fully despite persistent pain, emphasizing acceptance and commitment to valued activities.
Substance Abuse: Through mindfulness and values clarification, ACT empowers individuals to make healthier choices and build a fulfilling life in recovery.
Stress-Related Conditions: ACT equips individuals with tools to cope with stressors more effectively, promoting psychological flexibility and resilience in the face of adversity.

By promoting acceptance, mindfulness, and behavioral change, ACT empowers individuals to overcome these challenges and live more fulfilling lives.

With a compassionate and skilled therapist guiding the process, you can explore your inner experiences, cultivate resilience, and embrace a life of meaning and purpose. Contact Monarch Psychological today to learn more about how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can support your journey toward emotional well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions About Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy?

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, is an evidence-based approach that helps individuals develop psychological flexibility. Rather than trying to eliminate difficult thoughts or emotions, ACT supports you in relating to them differently.

Through mindfulness and values-based action, ACT helps you respond to life’s challenges with greater clarity, resilience, and intention.

How is ACT different from traditional cognitive behavioural therapy?

While traditional cognitive behavioural therapy often focuses on changing or challenging unhelpful thoughts, ACT emphasizes acceptance and awareness.

Instead of struggling against difficult thoughts or emotions, you learn to notice them with openness and compassion. This shift allows you to take meaningful action guided by your core values, even when discomfort is present.

What concerns can ACT help with?

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy has been shown to support individuals experiencing:

Anxiety disorders
Depression
Chronic pain
Stress-related conditions
Substance use concerns

ACT therapy in Calgary may be helpful if you feel stuck in persistent thought patterns, overwhelmed by stress, or disconnected from a sense of purpose.

How does ACT work in therapy sessions?

In ACT sessions, you will learn practical mindfulness skills to observe your thoughts and emotions without judgment. Your therapist may guide you through experiential exercises, cognitive defusion techniques, and values clarification work.

Over time, this process builds psychological flexibility, helping you move toward meaningful goals while responding more adaptively to challenges.

What does it mean to live according to my values?

Values in ACT refer to the qualities of living that matter most to you, such as connection, growth, compassion, or creativity.

ACT therapy supports you in identifying these values and taking committed action aligned with them. Even when difficult emotions arise, your values can serve as a steady guide for decision-making and personal growth.

How do I know if ACT is right for me?

If you find yourself caught in cycles of worry, self-criticism, avoidance, or discouragement, ACT may offer a supportive path forward.

ACT may also be a good fit if you prefer structured therapy but have not found traditional CBT to be as helpful as you had hoped.

Monarch Psychology offers a free 15-minute phone consultation to help determine whether Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Calgary aligns with your needs and goals.