Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Treatment in Saudi Arabia

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of psychotherapy that helps individuals accept their thoughts and feelings instead of fighting or feeling guilty for them. Developed within the behavioral tradition, ACT teaches mindfulness skills to help people live and behave in ways consistent with personal values while developing psychological flexibility. Unlike traditional cognitive-behavioral therapy, which aims to change negative thoughts and behaviors directly, ACT focuses on changing one's relationship with these thoughts and emotions.

People who might benefit from ACT often experience overwhelming, intrusive thoughts and difficult emotions that disrupt their daily functioning and well-being. These individuals might suffer from various mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, or stress. Symptoms typically include feeling trapped by negative thoughts, paralyzing fear of failure, inability to commit to long-term goals, and an ongoing struggle to avoid uncomfortable emotions. Due to this, they often feel stuck and unable to live a fulfilling life.

Treatment with ACT involves a combination of acceptance and mindfulness strategies along with commitment and behavior change techniques. Through exercises and practices, individuals learn to accept their inner experiences without judgment, defusing problematic thoughts and feelings. This allows them to commit to actions aligned with their values and leads to meaningful, purpose-driven life choices. Mindfulness exercises help ground individuals in the present moment, reducing the power of distressing thoughts. Therapists guide people in setting and living according to personal values rather than being controlled by their emotional states. Through ACT, individuals develop greater psychological flexibility, enabling them to navigate life’s challenges more effectively.