Therapy Modalities: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

This week, therapists Michael Atkinson and Alison Affolter join the podcast to discuss a modality and framework called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The episode covers: ACT’s origins, key principles, and practical applications How clients can live a meaningful life aligned with personal values while accepting inevitable hardships ACT's six core principles aimed at enhancing psychological flexibility: acceptance, cognitive defusion, self as context, contact with the present moment, values, and committed action. The guests share insights on applying ACT in therapy and personal life, and how it can be integrated with other therapeutic modalities to support clients dealing with various issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. "Happiness Trap" by Russ Harris: https://amzn.to/4eSRIUH "ACT Made Simple" by Russ Harris: https://amzn.to/4ekDTOL 00:00 Introduction & Meet the Experts: Michael and Allison 01:25 Diving into ACT: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy 03:30 Core Principles of ACT 17:54 Applying ACT in Therapy and Life 22:06 Therapist Tools and Initial Experiences 22:46 Integrating ACT with Other Modalities 25:21 Learning and Training in ACT 29:20 ACT for Various Diagnoses and Situations 34:16 Mindfulness Techniques in ACT 41:41 Final Thoughts and Resources Our Host: Miranda Barker, MSW, LICSW, has been practicing as a therapist for several years. She previously worked as a child protection investigator, adoption social worker, case manager, and the Director of Brand Content at Ellie Mental Health. Follow her on LinkedIn to see what’s next:   / miranda-barker-msw-licsw   The Therapist Thrival Guide is a podcast by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ellie Mental Health⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. We want to move therapists beyond surviving and into the realm of thriving by covering all the things that graduate school didn't teach you! This mental health podcast is hosted by Miranda Barker, LICSW and a rotating cast of seasoned therapists. Each episode features a therapist speaking to their areas of expertise to help us learn how to thrive as therapists.⁠⁠ Ellie is a national mental health brand organized around community-based outpatient mental health clinics. It all began with a single office in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 2015, and has expanded to an explosive number of locations nationwide after franchising our model in 2021. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#therapy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠