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ACCEPTANCE & COMMITMENT THERAPYAllowing Long-Term Change to Become a Realistic Goal

Getting to the Core of the Issue with ACT

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a clinically-tested form of

psychotherapy treatment that focuses on “cognitive defusing.” In other words, this

type of therapy helps an addicted person detach from specific thoughts and feelings

that enable addiction. ACT helps patients take control of their lives and determine

how much importance negative thought patterns and habits will receive. At

Foundations Recovery Network, we use this approach to help each patient discover

his or her most precious values and act on them. By learning to notice and accept

unpleasant thoughts or feelings without giving them the power to control behaviors

and attitudes, a person can once again enjoy a meaningful life.

Foundations Recovery Network’s use of ACT focuses on treating the problem by getting to the root of it. In this regard, ACT is the healthy alternative to FEAR: Fusion with thoughts and feelings of no particular importance; Evaluation of experience, being entangled in a past event; Avoidance of the experience that causes psychological suffering; Reason-giving for a destructive behavior that

overshadows the steps to change. In therapy, our patients are able to discover what’s more important for them by clarifying their most important values. Acceptance of a past event allows them to let go of thoughts without a mental struggle while reducing the tendency to relive past images, memories and emotions. Once patients are living in the present, they can commit to carry out their goals responsibly.

Commitment

to a course

of action can

be attained

by having

the right

perspective

on thoughts

and feelings.

Acceptance and

change are based

on clear personal

values.

www.FoundationsRecoveryNetwork.com | (866) 494.7787

Taking Action as the First Step

Instead of changing and eliminating feelings and attitudes as a first step to correct a negative behavior, the ACT approach states that a person can act differently while still having the feeling attached to the behavior. In therapy sessions, patients learn that a change of attitude or emotion can be the result of first changing a behavior. This way, a person can start to take practical steps that will, in time, help to control those feelings. In this matter, acceptance plays the most important role. By recognizing that feelings are a natural part of human nature and accepting that they are a regular consequence of the circumstances gives patients a sense of freedom. Instead of fighting emotions, patients learn from ACT to accept them and move forward.

This does not mean that patients will continue accepting situations that need to be changed. The ACT approach encourages accepting a feeling for now and taking action with the expectation of not having that feeling later. The result of this approach is an internal and external change of attitudes, emotions and behaviors.

The objectives of our therapy sessions can be described by the acronym ACT: Accepting your feelings and reactions;

Choosing directional values; Taking action.

Beneficial for a Broad Range of Concerns

Time has proven that the ACT approach

can be useful in a wide variety of

populations struggling with different

issues. ACT has been a beneficial tool

for FRN staff who are helping patients

with

issues of substance abuse, mood

disorders, sexual abuse, obsessive

compulsions, post-traumatic stress

disorder and other conditions. Our

therapists are trained to address these

concerns by helping patients take

action for a complete and thorough

recovery. The comprehensive patient-

centered care that we provide is the

foundation of effectiveness for our

treatment modalities and therapeutic

approaches.

About Foundations Recovery NetworkFoundations Recovery Network is recognized as the premier leader in integrated treatment for co-occurring addiction and mental health concerns. Our award-winning model combines evidence-based addiction treatment with innovative therapies for mental health to address co-occurring disorders effectively. Results demonstrate that FRN patients are more than twice as likely to maintain sobriety one year post-treatment compared to those who attend traditional programs.