Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a powerful mindfulness-based therapy with empirical support in a wide range of disorders, from anxiety, depression and PTSD, to chronic pain, anorexia and substance abuse. Effective with individuals, couples and groups, ACT helps clients to live in the present moment, connect with their values, access a transcendent sense of self, and effectively handle painful thoughts, feelings, memories, sensations and urges.
The emphasis on the conference was practical. Some of the highlights included: clarifying values, activating behaviour; building genuine confidence; ACT with young people using art therapy, ACT with Chronic Pain and ACT with addiction. I had the opportunity to listen to many of the inspirational and international names in ACT including Kirk Strosahl, Patty Bach, Joanne Dahl, Jason Luoma, Pattie Robinson and Rob Zettle.