Clinically Reviewed by Dr. Kate Smith
What Is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is a key component of the treatment programs at Greater Boston Behavioral Health, designed to address a broad range of mental health conditions. ACT focuses on helping individuals embrace their emotions and thoughts without judgment, rather than trying to avoid or control them. Initially developed to treat anxiety and depression, ACT has since been shown to be effective for various issues, including PTSD and chronic pain.
At Greater Boston Behavioral Health, our ACT program is tailored to equip clients with tools to accept challenging emotions and situations while staying committed to actions that align with their values. By incorporating ACT into addiction treatment, we help individuals build resilience, enhance emotional flexibility, and develop coping strategies that support long-term mental well-being. This therapeutic approach encourages individuals to live a fulfilling life even in the face of difficulties, promoting sustained mental health recovery.
Feel Stuck in Your Thoughts?
ACT can help you accept what you can’t change and commit to what you can.
We’ll guide you in aligning your actions with your values.
Benefits of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy offers several key advantages to clients managing addiction and mental health challenges:
- Psychological Flexibility: ACT helps individuals respond more effectively to difficult emotions, thoughts, and urges. It teaches them to accept discomfort while committing to actions aligned with their personal values.
- Focus on Values-Based Action: Rather than eliminating distress, ACT encourages clients to focus on what truly matters to them, which helps guide positive decisions and behavior change.
- Improved Emotional Resilience: ACT empowers clients to accept and tolerate challenging emotional experiences instead of trying to control or avoid them, reducing stress and emotional avoidance.
- Enhanced Coping Strategies: ACT equips individuals with tools to better cope with life’s challenges by encouraging present-moment awareness and acceptance rather than resistance, which supports sustainable well-being.
Through ACT, GBBH provides a holistic approach that helps individuals cultivate a healthier, more fulfilling life.
ACT Facts & Statistics
National Institute of Mental Health. “Any Anxiety Disorder.” Www.nimh.nih.gov, National Institute of Mental Health, 2024, www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/any-anxiety-disorder.
“Substance Use and Co-Occurring Mental Disorders.” National Institute of Mental Health, 2023, www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/substance-use-and-mental-health.
National Institute of Mental Health. “Any Anxiety Disorder.” Www.nimh.nih.gov, National Institute of Mental Health, 2024, www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/any-anxiety-disorder.
World Health Organization. “Anxiety Disorders.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, 27 Sept. 2023, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/anxiety-disorders.
Anxiety and Depression Association of America. “Anxiety Disorders – Facts & Statistics.” Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA, 28 Oct. 2022, adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/facts-statistics.
Finding ACT Treatment near Me
Greater Boston Behavioral Health provides ACT treatment for individuals seeking help dealing with mental health issues in a supportive, affirming environment. Our goal is to help clients manage their symptoms and improve their overall well-being. To learn more about our ACT services please call us at (888)278-0716 or visit our location in Needham, MA.
Greater Boston Behavioral Health: 322 Reservoir Street Needham, MA 02494
Accreditations You Can Trust
Trusted, Recognized, and Backed by Leading Organizations
These badges reflect our standing with respected local and national groups — including Psychology Today, Charles River Recovery, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Click below to see what each badge means.
The Joint Commission
Considered the gold standard in healthcare quality, The Joint Commission evaluates programs on safety, ethics, and clinical excellence. Their seal means our treatment meets some of the most rigorous national standards in the field.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
DPH approval confirms that our programs follow all state requirements for safety, staffing, licensing, and oversight. In simple terms: the state reviews our operations and verifies that we meet the standards needed to provide trustworthy care.
Psychology Today Verified
Being verified on Psychology Today shows that our clinicians are licensed, professionally credentialed, and approved by one of the most widely used mental health directories in the country.
Charles River Recovery Partnership
This partnership connects us with another respected Massachusetts treatment provider, allowing clients to move safely between levels of care and ensuring continuity, collaboration, and high-quality support.
National Quality Seal (Gold Emblem)
This represents our commitment to following recognized best practices in behavioral health. It signals that we go beyond the basics — focusing on safe, ethical, evidence-based care at every step.
Conditions We Treat with ACT at Greater Boston Behavioral Health
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is a key treatment approach for various mental health and addiction challenges. The conditions we address using ACT include:
- Anxiety Disorders: ACT encourages clients to embrace difficult emotions while committing to behaviors that align with their values, helping them manage and reduce anxiety symptoms.
- Depression: By teaching acceptance and psychological flexibility, ACT helps clients break free from depressive thought patterns and move toward positive behavioral changes.
- Trauma & PTSD: ACT supports trauma survivors in processing distressing emotions without becoming overwhelmed, fostering resilience and long-term healing.
- Chronic Pain: ACT helps clients manage the emotional and psychological impact of chronic pain by promoting acceptance and strategies to improve quality of life.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): ACT encourages clients to accept obsessive thoughts without acting on compulsions, reducing the hold OCD has on their daily lives.
At Greater Boston Behavioral Health, our ACT programs empower clients with practical tools to manage their conditions, focusing on acceptance, mindfulness, and taking committed action to improve their emotional and mental well-being.
Treatment Programs with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
At Greater Boston Behavioral Health, we integrate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy into our specialized treatment programs to help individuals manage a wide variety of mental health conditions. ACT focuses on promoting psychological flexibility by encouraging clients to accept difficult emotions while committing to value-driven actions, making it highly effective for a range of issues.
- Individual Therapy: One-on-one ACT sessions with trained therapists allow clients to explore their values, accept distressing thoughts, and implement strategies to reduce the impact of negative emotions on their lives.
- Group Therapy: ACT skills are taught and practiced in group settings, providing clients the opportunity to engage with peers, share experiences, and learn how to apply ACT techniques in their daily lives.
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): Our IOP includes ACT-based therapies in a flexible structure that allows clients to continue fulfilling personal responsibilities while working on emotional regulation and mindfulness.
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): ACT is a core component of our PHP, providing individuals with daily support in an immersive treatment setting. Clients engage in both individual and group ACT sessions, fostering resilience and behavioral change.
- LGBTQ+ Program: Our LGBTQ+ program provides an affirming space for clients from diverse backgrounds, focusing on the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. ACT strategies are tailored to help clients navigate identity-based stressors while promoting mental health recovery.
- Aftercare Support: To ensure long-term success, GBBH offers ongoing ACT-based aftercare services, including skills training and support groups, helping clients maintain their progress and navigate future challenges.
Our ACT programs at GBBH focus on helping individuals embrace their emotions and take meaningful steps toward achieving personal goals, leading to improved mental well-being.
Is ACT Treatment Covered by My Insurance Provider?
To confirm your insurance coverage for ACT at Greater Boston Behavioral Health, begin by reaching out to your insurance provider to inquire about the specifics of your plan. You can also check your coverage online or review your benefits handbook for detailed information. At GBBH, our team is here to help you navigate your insurance plan and determine which services are covered. We strive to make the process easy so you can focus on getting the care you need.
What Does the ACT Admissions Process Entail?
The admissions process for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy at Greater Boston Behavioral Health is designed to be smooth and supportive. It begins with an initial consultation where our team assesses your emotional and behavioral needs, reviews your mental health history, and explores your therapy goals. This evaluation allows us to determine if ACT is the right fit for you and to create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your situation. Once the assessment is complete, our admissions team helps with the necessary paperwork, coordinates with your insurance provider, and answers any questions you may have.
FAQs About Our Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Boston, Massachusetts
ACT is a therapeutic approach that helps you accept difficult thoughts and feelings while committing to actions aligned with your values.
ACT helps people with anxiety, depression, trauma, or chronic stress. It’s also effective for those feeling stuck or unmotivated.
ACT is often short-term, lasting several weeks or months, but can also be part of longer treatment plans.
ACT uses mindfulness, acceptance strategies, and goal-setting to help you focus on living a meaningful life.
ACT is helpful for depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, substance use, and stress-related conditions.
Yes. ACT often works alongside CBT, DBT, or medication management.
Yes. Many studies show ACT improves resilience and quality of life.
Many people continue applying ACT skills independently or in ongoing therapy. GBBH helps you maintain progress.
Want to move forward, even with pain?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy might be the path you’ve been looking for.
Let’s talk about how it works and how it might work for you.
What Are the Costs of ACT Services?
The cost of ACT services at GBBH varies depending on the type and frequency of care, including therapy sessions and medication management. For detailed pricing, we recommend contacting our admissions team. We collaborate with insurance providers and offer financial assistance to ensure you get the support you need. For detailed information, contact our admissions team. We work with insurance providers and offer financial assistance to help manage expenses and ensure you get the support you need.
Knowing your payment options is essential for making informed decisions about your ACT treatment options. We suggest reviewing your insurance policy or calling us at (888)278-0716. At GBBH, our team is here to help verify your insurance coverage.
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