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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as a unified model of behavior change

APA Citation

Hayes, S. C., Pistorello, J. & Levin, M.E. (2012). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as a unified model of behavior change. The Counseling Psychologist, 40, 976-1002.

 

Publication Topic
ACT: Conceptual
Publication Type
Article
Language
English
Keyword(s)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), psychological flexibility, unified model
Abstract

The present article summarizes the assumptions, model, techniques, evidence, and diversity/social justice commitments of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT focused on six processes (acceptance, defusion, self, now, values, and action) that bear on a single overall target (psychological flexibility). The ACT model of behavior change has been shown to have positive outcomes across a broad range of applied problems and areas of growth. Process and outcome evidence suggest that the psychological flexibility model underlying ACT provides a unified model of behavior change and personal development that fits well with the core assumptions of counseling psychology.