At some point, most of us pause and ask ourselves a version of the same question. Is this actually the life I want? It might come during a difficult period — a job that’s lost its meaning, a relationship under strain, a health scare that reorders your priorities. Or it might arrive quietly, in an […]
Tag: ACT
The Happiness Trap
What Science Says About Joy, Meaning, and the Good Life Most of us want to be happy. We work towards it, plan for it, sometimes bargain with ourselves over it: “I’ll be happy when I get the promotion.” “I’ll feel better once things settle down.” But what if some of the ways we pursue happiness […]
The History of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
A modern counselling approach backed by decades of research If you have been looking into counselling options, you may have come across the term “Acceptance and Commitment Therapy” — often shortened to ACT (pronounced as the word “act”). ACT is an evidence-based counselling approach that helps people develop psychological flexibility: the ability to handle difficult […]
Who’s Driving Your Bus?
Who’s Driving Your Bus? – An ACT Metaphor for Life In Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), we often use simple metaphors to explain big ideas. One of the most helpful is the Driver of the Bus metaphor. Imagine your life is like a bus journey. You are the driver. The bus is heading in the direction of what matters […]
Why We Use Metaphors in ACT Therapy
In Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), you might notice we use stories and images rather than just talking in technical terms. You may hear about things like passengers on a bus, tug-of-war with a monster, or leaves floating down a stream. This isn’t to be clever or confusing — it’s because metaphors help people understand their inner world […]
Understanding Functional Analysis
Understanding Functional Analysis in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) If you’ve ever felt stuck in unhelpful patterns—whether it’s worrying, avoiding situations, or struggling with negative emotions—you might have wondered why it’s so hard to change. In Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), one tool that helps make sense of these patterns is Functional Analysis. What Is Functional […]
Understanding Functional Analysis
Understanding Functional Analysis and Its Role in ACT Therapy When you begin counselling, you might hear your therapist use terms that sound a bit technical at first. One of these is functional analysis. Don’t worry – it’s not as complicated as it sounds. In fact, it’s one of the most practical and helpful tools we have […]
The Happiness Trap by Dr. Russ Harris
Book Summary: The Happiness Trap by Dr. Russ Harris Why Struggling to Feel Happy Might Be Making Things Worse In today’s culture, we’re constantly bombarded with messages telling us we should always feel happy, confident, and positive. But what if this relentless pursuit of happiness is actually making us miserable? In The Happiness Trap, Dr. […]
Knowing Your Values
The Importance of Knowing Your Values – And How to Discover Them In a world full of noise, knowing what truly matters to you is like having a compass in a storm. Your personal values are the principles and qualities that give your life meaning and direction. Whether you’re navigating big life decisions or simply […]
Unhooking from Unwanted Thoughts and Feelings
Unhooking from Unwanted Thoughts and Feelings: An Introduction to Defusion in ACT Our minds are constantly buzzing with thoughts—some helpful, some neutral, and others that can pull us into a cycle of worry, self-criticism, or distress. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) offers a unique approach to dealing with difficult thoughts and emotions, one of which […]