Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT - pronounced "act") is a form of psychotherapy as well as general philosophy on living. It combines elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with Buddhism, mindfulness and coaching practices.

Much of Brojo's ideas on Values and Valued Living are heavily based in ACT.

6 Core ACT Principles:

ACT has 6 core principles that are followed by therapists and patients/coaching clients alike;

1. Cognitive defusion - detaching from thoughts and feelings so you can observe them rationally.
2. Expansion and acceptance - allowing yourself to accept the realities of life and the present moment.
3. Contact and connection with the present moment - becoming grounded and aware of what is here and now instead of being lost in fantasy and regret.
4. The Observing Self - becoming able to observe yourself rather than being immersed in an identity.
5. Values clarification - knowing your core values and what integrity means for you.
6. Committed action - always bringing your focus back to measurable action that aligns with your core values.

A more intensive overview of these principles can be found here.

ACT Leaders and Founders

The essential founder of ACT is Steven Hayes, and he explains ACT and his approach to life here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bg9vZ8voUxE

Another key figure in the ACT community is Dr Russ Harris, who put together this helpful and non-technical overview of ACT therapy here: Overview of ACT

Harris is also the author of The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living, a popular book highly recommended by us here at Brojo, which applies ACT principles to living in a way that lets go of painful thought processes while embracing real life.

BROJO Application of ACT Principles

These resources show how BROJO uses ACT principles in our own works and methodology.

Dealing with Emotions - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv90oNvwYZg

Managing Negative Thoughts - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyaNRFhQOGY

Dealing with the "I'm Not Good Enough" story - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxIQ17xcYg0

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