Acceptance & commitment therapy (ACT)

Acceptance & commitment therapy, or ACT, helps you handle difficult thoughts and feelings without letting them take over. Instead of fighting your mind, you learn to notice what shows up, make space for it, and then take the next step toward what matters—your health, your recovery, your goals.

It differs from CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) in one simple way: ACT doesn’t argue with thoughts. It treats them as passing experiences and teaches you to move.

Major health organizations recommend ACT

Understanding the Approach

Understanding acceptance & commitment therapy (ACT)

Acceptance & commitment therapy helps you handle hard thoughts and feelings without letting them run your day. You learn quick mindfulness skills, make space for discomfort, and take small actions that match your values—like calling a support person, showing up to a meeting, or choosing sleep over scrolling. The goal is simple: notice what’s happening, choose what matters, and do the next right thing.

	Notice and choose your response When stress or cravings show up, ACT teaches you to name them—“I’m noticing anxiety,” “Here’s that urge again”—and take a steady breath before choosing your next step. Naming what’s happening reduces its power and makes room for action.
	Skills you can use anywhereYou’ll practice short tools—three-breath pauses, grounding with your senses, or “unhooking” from harsh thoughts. These skills can be used anytime: before bed, on a break at work, or when a trigger pops up.
	Plans that actually stickEach session ends with two or three clear actions for the week. You test them, keep what works, and adjust what doesn’t. Progress builds on small wins, not pressure to be perfect.

The Process

How ACT works

ACT is designed to keep things simple and doable. Each step helps you build skills you can use right away:

1	Start with what matters to you You and your clinician talk about what you want more of in life—better sleep, steady recovery, stronger relationships, or feeling like yourself again. A short plan is built around those goals.
2	Practice being present You learn mindfulness exercises you can use anywhere—like noticing five things around you or taking three slow breaths. In session, you try them together and choose one to practice during the week.
3	Get unstuck from painful thoughts ACT teaches you to see thoughts as passing events, not facts. Instead of “I’ll always fail,” you might practice saying, “I’m noticing the ‘I’ll fail’ story.” This shift gives you room to choose actions that matter.
4	Clarify your values You identify the qualities you want to live by—such as being a present parent, protecting your health, or showing up at work with integrity. These values become a compass for everyday choices.
5	Take small, values-based steps Together, you plan two or three realistic actions for the week—like calling a supportive friend, walking for ten minutes, or choosing rest over late-night scrolling. Small steps build momentum over time.
6	Review and adjust Each session, you check in on what worked and what didn’t. Your plan is updated so progress keeps feeling possible and personal.

What We Treat

Conditions ACT commonly treats

ACT is effective across many challenges and can be tailored to your goals, culture, beliefs, and life stage.

Substance use and recovery support ACT gives you tools for cravings, triggers, and shame. You practice making values-guided choices and building self-compassion when setbacks happen.	Chronic pain and health concerns By changing your relationship with pain and difficult thoughts, ACT supports pacing, self-care, and quality of life alongside medical care.
Depression and low motivation By focusing on small, meaningful steps instead of waiting to “feel ready,” ACT helps you break through inertia and reconnect with what matters.	Anxiety and stress ACT helps you notice worry without letting it take control. Mindfulness and values-based actions reduce avoidance and build confidence.
Trauma-related symptoms ACT helps you make room for painful memories and sensations while rebuilding life around safety, purpose, and connection.

Whole-person care that meets you where you are

Therapy blends with the rest of your care at The Haven Detox Group. That can include medical support, group therapy, family education, and relapse prevention planning. ACT skills show up in each part of treatment, so the tools you practice in session are the same ones you use on the unit, at home, and in the community.

Relaxing spaces for calming minds

Discover mindfulness

Learn positive thinking habits

Get Cost / Coverage Answers Upfront

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Accessible Everywhere

Locations offering acceptance & commitment therapy (ACT)

Find ACT in welcoming, private settings designed to feel safe, calm, and focused—so learning new skills feels easier from day one.

Space Available

Insurance Accepted

ACT Offered

TRUSTED CARE TEAM

Our acceptance & commitment therapy experts

Acceptance & commitment therapy at The Haven Detox Group is delivered by licensed clinicians trained in ACT for addiction and co-occurring mental health concerns. Treatment teams coordinate closely so your ACT skills support medical detox, residential or outpatient care, and aftercare planning. You get practical coaching, real-time feedback, and a calm space to practice tools before using them in daily life.

English Peterson

Therapist

Guides individuals in applying MBCT strategies to cope with anxiety and mood challenges

Zachary Gaboriault, MA

Therapist

Encourages new ways to handle challenges with confidence

Treatment success stories

Sasha

They have given me the tools I need to be able to cope with my emotions in a healthy way. Thank you to all the wonderful people that helped me. If you need help this is an excellent choice.

James D.

This place saved my life! They gave me the knowledge and tools necessary to maintain long term sobriety. Very comfortable atmosphere where I felt I could be myself and grow as an individual without any judgement.

Pietplutonium

ACT gave me a way out of the mess of thoughts or beliefs that caused me depression. It used to come and go. But now that I “sail my own ship” more, so to speak, life has become a lot more balanced. I still use it and will continue to. And ACT of course isn’t the only tool in my kit. But it kind of unlocked the mental prison door.

Affordable Care

Insurance coverage & accessibility for ACT

Many health insurance plans include outpatient psychotherapy, which can cover ACT when provided by licensed clinicians. Coverage varies by plan and state. A quick, confidential benefits check can confirm costs before you start, and staff can help explore options like payment plans if needed.

FAQs about acceptance & commitment therapy (ACT)

What happens in a typical ACT session?

You and your therapist review your goals, practice one or two brief exercises, and pick small, values-based actions to try before the next visit. Sessions feel active and collaborative.

How is ACT different from traditional CBT?

CBT often focuses on challenging or changing thoughts. ACT focuses on changing your relationship to thoughts and feelings so you can choose helpful actions, even when emotions are strong.

Does ACT actually work?

Large reviews of controlled studies show that ACT helps with anxiety, depression, substance use, chronic pain, and more. It tends to outperform doing nothing and is often comparable to other well-established therapies. You can read a summary of the evidence here.

How soon will I notice progress?

Everyone’s timeline is different. Many people notice small wins in the first few weeks, such as getting through a craving or showing up for a valued activity. Skills build over time with practice.

Can ACT be combined with medication or other therapies?

Yes. ACT works well alongside medications, medical care, and other therapies like trauma-focused work or relapse prevention counseling. Your plan is coordinated across services.

What if mindfulness feels awkward for me?

That’s common. ACT uses very short, no-perfect-posture exercises you can do in normal clothes and daily settings. You pick what fits you, not the other way around.

Is ACT helpful for addiction recovery?

ACT gives tools for cravings, shame, and triggers while reconnecting you to the reasons you chose recovery. It also supports relapse prevention by turning values into daily actions.

How many sessions do people usually attend?

Treatment length varies by goals and level of care. Some people complete a short skills series in several weeks; others continue longer to keep momentum and support.

Is ACT trauma-informed?

ACT is mindful of safety, choice, and pacing. You decide what to share and when, while building skills to handle distress and stay anchored in the present.

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