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Developed in the 1980s by psychologist Steven C. Hayes, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of psychotherapy that is used to help clients stop avoiding certain emotions and experiences in order to move forward with their lives. Licensed mental health professionals and counsellors can offer ACT, and accredited courses are available for additional training. Career practitioners may be able to draw on the principles of ACT to help their clients who are feeling stuck by helping them to accept what is beyond their control and commit to making changes. This article provides information for those seeking to learn more about ACT through videos, articles, books and courses.
14 Best Books on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (Positive Psychology) [Article]
Those looking to gain more knowledge on ACT can find several books from this article. The books are divided into the following categories: books for practitioners, self-help ACT books for clients and therapy workbooks.
ACT In Career Counselling (Careering magazine) [Article]
This article, published in CERIC’s Careering, discusses how ACT can be used in career counselling. ACT “employs an analysis matrix that casts career-related challenges in a new light. ACT comprises two fundamental axes that clarify a person’s objectives: to accept what is beyond the person’s control (thoughts, emotions, etc.), and to commit to taking action aligned with his or her values, despite the presence of obstacles.”
ACT Essentials (Association for Psychological Therapies) [Course]
The Canadian Association for Psychological Therapies (APT) is a leading mental health training organization and provides an accredited ACT course for clinicians. There is a prerecorded course that can be taken at any time as well as a synchronous course, with the next session taking place Sept. 25-27, 2024. The in-person course will again be offered in September 2025.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (Psychology Today) [Article]
As is stated by Psychology Today, the skills needed for this ACT are “acquired through peer counseling, workshops, and other training programs.” This article provides more information on ACT and when it’s used, what to expect, how it works and what to look for in a therapist/counsellor.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): 10 Benefits and Techniques (Healthline) [Article]
The benefits of ACT are outlined in this article, including reducing stress, anxiety and depression. The article incorporates several work-related examples. Those who are looking to try ACT or implement the practice with a client can explore options such as face-to-face sessions, guided online courses or micro-learning, workshops and more.”
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy Training: Top 17 Courses (Positive Psychology) [Article]
This article lists programs and courses, both virtual and in person, for those seeking training in ACT, as well as worksheets and exercises for those who are already practicing ACT.
Feeling Stuck in your Job or Career? The ACT Matrix may be the Tool you Need (OpenLearn) [Article]
The T in the acronym ACT can stand for “Take Action” rather than Therapy, according to this OpenLearn article. The author writes that “the tools and suggestions have been developed for everyone to use in a way that best suits them and their situation.” Those interested in using ACT can apply the ACT Matrix tool to aid in their career exploration.
Leveraging Concepts from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in Career Counseling: An Introduction (LinkedIn) [Article]
In career counseling, ACT can be used to help clients “gain valuable insights into their career choices and develop the necessary skills and mindset to overcome challenges and achieve fulfillment in their professional lives.” Career counsellors need to help clients identify their values and barriers (both internal and external), while incorporating strategies such as mindfulness. This article states that the benefits of ACT include: enhanced clarity and decision making, reduced anxiety and stress, improved resilience and adaptability, and greater likelihood of long-term career satisfaction.
What Is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)? (Very Well Mind) [Article]
By focusing on acceptance, the purpose of ACT is to “lead to increased psychological flexibility” which is “the ability to embrace your thoughts and feelings when they are useful and to set them aside when they are not.” This article also states that several types of therapists and mental health practitioners can offer ACT “including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, or mental health counselors.”
What is Acceptance Commitment Therapy? (Psych Hub) [Video]
Those who prefer audio-visual learning can watch this video from Psych Hub, which explains ACT.
