Acceptance and commitment therapy for depression

Recent research provides further empirical support for acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in alleviating depression and that it does so through processes specific to the model of psychological flexibility on which it is based. These latest investigations have examined ACT's effectiveness in both ameliorating and preventing depression as well as its impact when implemented through alternative delivery systems (e.g. via self-help, bibliotherapy, and telehealth) and when combined with other interventions. ACT appears to be comparable to cognitive therapy in outcomes, but to have greater empirical support for the processes through which it initiates therapeutic improvement. Preliminary findings supportive of ACT in preventing depression when delivered through nontraditional means require validation by comparisons to appropriate control conditions. Component analyses are recommended to substantiate suggestive evidence that ACT may contribute appreciably to the impact of existing treatments for depression and related disorders.