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Live with Purpose. Accept What You Can't Control. Commit to What Matters.
What Is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based therapeutic approach that helps you move forward not by fighting unwanted thoughts and feelings, but by accepting them and realigning your actions with what truly matters to you.
Rather than trying to eliminate discomfort, ACT guides you toward greater psychological flexibility: the ability to stay present, disengage from unhelpful mental patterns, and act in a way that’s consistent with your values.
How ACT Works in Practice
1. Accept & Notice Without Fighting
You’ll learn to acknowledge uncomfortable thoughts and emotions as normal, rather than treating them as problems to be fixed.
2. Create Distance from Thoughts (Cognitive Defusion)
ACT teaches you to step back from your thoughts seeing them as passing mental events, not absolute truths.
3. Stay Present
You’ll build mindfulness skills to keep your focus on the here and now, reducing getting caught up in worries about the past or future.
4. Connect with the Observing Self
This process strengthens your awareness of the part of you that observes separate from thoughts and feelings enhancing clarity and perspective.
5. Clarify Your Values
Together, we’ll identify what matters most in your life so your therapy follows your own compass.
6. Commit to Value-Driven Change
You’ll build mindfulness skills to keep your focus on the here and now, reducing getting caught up in worries about the past or future.
Benefits of ACT
Cultivate greater emotional resilience and flexibility
Stop being stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors
Reduce stress and overwhelm by shifting focus to value-driven living
Apply real, lasting changes rather than temporary relief
Enhanced mental health across anxiety, depression, trauma, and more
Because ACT is rooted in robust research with over 1,000 randomized trials and strong support from clinical organizations it’s an excellent, modern path toward healing.
Who Can Benefit from ACT?
This therapy approach is particularly powerful if you or someone you know is:
- Feeling stuck in recurring anxious, critical, or depressive thoughts
- Wanting to live more in line with personal values despite inner struggles
- Striving to better respond to stress without avoidance or control strategies
- Seeking change without the fight of managing every thought or emotion
- Dealing with PTSD, chronic stress, addiction, or related challenges
- Looking for a flexible, practical, values-oriented approach to therapy
- Ready to commit to meaningful life actions even when uncomfortable
- Interested in evidence-based therapy backed by solid scientific support
The ACT Experience at Transformation Health
Step 1: Personal Consultation
We start with a meaningful conversation about your goals, history, and what brought you to therapy.
Step 2: ACT in Session
Through experiential exercises, mindfulness practice, and values clarification, we’ll work together toward building flexibility and purpose.
Step 3: Take-Home Tools
Each session includes personalized techniques that enable you to practice ACT skills throughout your day-to-day life.
Step 4: Ongoing Growth
Progress is supported through regular sessions and adaptable strategies tailored to the path you’re walking.
Why Choose Transformation Health for ACT?
At Transformation Health, we understand that every person’s story is different. That’s why ACT for individual therapy is always approached with warmth, respect, and care. Our therapists are committed to making your sessions feel safe, supportive, and grounded in what matters to you. Whether new to therapy or returning, you’ll be met with compassion and clarity not judgment.
Reasons people choose us for ACT therapy:
Grounded in Solid Research
ACT stands strong among modern therapeutic models.
Client-Centered
Care
Therapy is aligned with your values, goals, and pace.
Warm, Skilled therapists
Trauma-aware and supportive professionals help guide your growth.
Local Support for Virginia Beach
We understand the community's needs and provide accessible, inclusive care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Treatment ranges from several sessions (8–16 weeks) to longer-term work, depending on your goals and pace.
It's about both learning to accept thoughts and emotions while identifying values that guide meaningful actions.
While both are behavioral therapies, ACT emphasizes acceptance and values, whereas CBT focuses on rewriting thought patterns.
It's effective for dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, chronic pain, and life transitions especially for those seeking purpose-driven change.
If you're ready to build psychological flexibility, reconnect with your values, and move toward a more meaningful life, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) at Transformation Health Services in Virginia Beach is here to guide you.
Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation and take your next step toward living a life aligned with your deepest values.
GET IN TOUCH
New to our practice? Please fill out the contact form below.
Returning patient? You can log in to the patient portal here: Access Portal