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If you find yourself caught in the grip of your thoughts, feelings, and cravings, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) could be just what you need. ACT helps you change your relationship with challenging thoughts, feelings, and sensations so they no longer stop you from living the life you desire.
Using experiential exercises and techniques, ACT teaches you to change how you relate with internal experiences. This reduces the influence of your thoughts and feelings on your actions. This freedom enhances your ability to act beyond your mind’s dictates or emotions, leading to a life that aligns with your authentic values.
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is a modern, evidence-based form of psychotherapy that encourages you to accept what is out of your personal control while committing to action that will improve and enrich your life. Through ACT, we help you to connect with your values, understand your thought patterns, and take committed, meaningful action to create a vibrant, values-driven life.
ACT is built on the foundation of relational frame theory and uses six core processes to bring about change. Each of these processes plays a crucial role in helping you develop psychological flexibility, which is the ability to adapt to situations with openness, awareness, and focus, and to take action guided by your values.
Acceptance is about embracing your feelings and thoughts without trying to change them. We guide you to acknowledge your inner experiences openly, reducing the struggle against unwanted emotions and thoughts. This approach helps you respond to life’s challenges with flexibility rather than avoidance.
This core process encourages living in the moment and experiencing life fully. We help you develop mindfulness skills to engage fully with the present, enhancing your awareness and appreciation of the here and now. This practice allows you to connect more deeply with yourself, others, and your environment.
Cognitive defusion involves learning to create distance and space from what your mind is telling you, allowing your thoughts to have less control over your actions. We teach strategies to observe your thoughts without getting caught up in them, enabling you to act in ways aligned with your values, not your limiting beliefs.
Self as Context enables you to see yourself in a more flexible manner, reducing over-identification with your thoughts or emotions. We explore the concept of the ‘observing self’—the part of you that is constant and unchanging, despite the fluctuating nature of your internal and external experiences.
Values clarification is about discovering what is most important and meaningful to you. We assist you in identifying your core values and guiding principles, which serve as a compass for your actions. This process ensures that the choices you make are in service of the life you want to lead, filled with purpose and direction.
Committed Action focuses on taking steps towards your values, even in the face of obstacles. We support you in setting goals based on your values and taking actionable steps to realize them. This commitment to action, guided by your values, leads to a rich, vibrant life that reflects what truly matters to you.
We provide Acceptance and Commitment Therapy In- Person and Online
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If the initial therapist match isn’t ideal, we’ll switch you for free.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has been shown to effectively address various psychological challenges like stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, and chronic pain. It’s also helpful for improving relationships, performance, and creating meaning in life. The main aim of ACT is to help you lead a fulfilling life while acknowledging the inevitable pain that comes with it.
ACT differs from traditional cognitive-behavioral therapy because it doesn’t focus on directly changing or stopping unwanted thoughts or feelings. Instead, ACT therapists teach you to develop a new, mindful relationship with these experiences, which can help you break free from their control. This can be incredibly freeing and empower you to take charge of your life.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is an evidence-based practice that has been extensively researched. Studies show that ACT is effective in reducing the symptoms of various psychological disorders and enhancing life satisfaction. Its focus on mindfulness and values-driven action is supported by cognitive and behavioral science, making it a robust and reliable form of therapy
ACT draws upon Buddhist philosophy to help you distinguish between what is within your control and what isn’t. This approach encourages you to embrace mindfulness and acceptance, much like a Buddha, rather than letting life’s challenges weigh you down like an overwhelming burden. By adopting these principles, you gain the tools to face life’s hurdles with wisdom and composure.
SchemACT Therapy, developed by Dr. Lev of the Bay Area CBT Center, seamlessly blends Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Somatic Techniques, and Schema Therapy into a holistic and integrative approach. Dr. Lev’s extensive research and the books she has authored on SchemACT underscore its unique healing potential.
This innovative method combines ACT’s mindfulness and commitment with the deep pattern exploration of Schema Therapy, offering a comprehensive strategy for tackling psychological challenges. SchemACT not only alleviates immediate distress but also addresses the underlying causes, facilitating profound healing and transformation.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in the Bay Area. You could say we wrote the books on it.
We understand that taking the first step towards treatment can be daunting. That’s why we’ve created a supportive and compassionate environment where you can feel safe to overcome your barriers.
We're not just practitioners of ACT; we're pioneers. Our team specializes in ACT, dedicating ourselves to both personal research and the authoring of books on the subject. This deep immersion ensures that our approach isn't just informed—it's leading-edge. We bring a wealth of knowledge and insight to each session, grounded in extensive experience and a passionate commitment to the principles of ACT.
Understanding that every individual’s journey is unique, we take pride in customizing our ACT approach to fit your specific needs and goals. Leveraging the latest advanced techniques in ACT, we tailor our therapy sessions to ensure they resonate deeply with you. This personalized strategy enhances the effectiveness of therapy, making your path to well-being as individualized as your experiences.
Innovation and a holistic perspective are at the core of our practice. We integrate the most advanced techniques in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with a holistic approach to care. This means constantly updating our methods based on the latest research. Our dedication to whole person treatment ensures you receive therapy that is at the forefront of psychological treatments.
We recognize that insight into your problems, while valuable, isn't sufficient for meaningful change. That's why our approach emphasizes behavioral change. Understanding your thoughts and feelings is a starting point, but transforming your life happens through action. We guide you in applying ACT principles in real-world situations, encouraging actions aligned with your values. This shift from mere insight to actionable change is crucial for overcoming challenges.
True transformation requires more than just cognitive understanding; it necessitates a lived experience. Our ACT therapists embrace a whole-person approach, integrating mind, body, actions, and spirit. This comprehensive method ensures that change isn't just conceptual but deeply experiential. Through exercises that engage all aspects of your being, we help you embody the principles of ACT, making genuine, holistic change possible.
Our team of ACT therapists are here to help you navigate difficult thoughts and feelings so that they don’t stop you from taking effective actions in your life. We take a holistic and integrative approach to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Our services include individual therapy, couples counseling, and group sessions, all tailored to meet your specific needs. Mindfulness is central to our practice and integral to ACT, enhancing its effectiveness in helping you achieve your goals.
We prioritize building a strong, supportive relationship between you and your therapist, ensuring personalized care for managing your mental health and fostering a fulfilling life. Our meticulous therapist matching process guarantees that you are paired with a therapist ideally suited to your unique needs and preferences, making your path to wellness effective and tailored to your personal growth.
Do not hesitate to reach out. Just fill in the contact form here and we’ll be sure to reply as fast as possible.
2211 Post Street, Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94115
Info@BayAreaCBTcenter.com
415-941-5373
Video and phone consultations offer a convenient alternative for individuals who may not have access to a specialist nearby or prefer to avoid commuting for appointments. Studies have shown that virtual and in-person sessions are equally effective.
