ACT Therapist Dr. Jessica Borushok: Stop Fighting Anxiety—Change Your Relationship to It:

In this episode of Renegade Psych, the host speaks with Dr. Jessica Borushok ("The ACT Therapist"), a clinical psychologist and ACT trainer, about shifting from symptom control to values-driven living by building psychological flexibility. They discuss how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Relational Frame Theory (RFT) explain anxiety, trauma triggers, and the mind's tendency to form symbolic networks that fuel rumination and avoidance. Dr. Borushok breaks down practical ways to notice "hooks," distinguish automatic thoughts from chosen cognitive behaviors, and decide when problem-solving is useful versus when it becomes unhelpful mental avoidance, using tools like metaphors and small committed actions. They also explore perceived vs actual control, how clinicians get stuck in outcome-focused rigidity, the mixed role of diagnosis and medication depending on function, and why she started a YouTube channel to make ACT concepts accessible.

00:00 Support the Channel 00:26 Medical Disclaimer 00:59 Meet Dr Jessica Bach 02:00 Her ACT Origin Story 05:28 Why ACT Clicks 07:49 RFT Explained Simply 11:52 Using RFT in Sessions 14:11 Modern Minds and Threats 19:48 Complaining and Rumination Loops 20:50 Hooks and Problem Solving 24:22 Lemon Metaphor for Rumination 26:35 Avoidance and Addiction Reframed 30:38 From Bad Dad to Values 33:15 Committed Action in Real Life 35:46 Process Over Outcomes 37:09 Stories Shape Behavior 37:25 Process Over Outcomes 38:32 Control and Panic Skills 41:29 Therapist Stuck Moments 45:14 From Knowing to Feeling 49:12 Medication and Diagnosis Nuance 55:05 Why Start YouTube 01:01:49 Evolving Clinical Thinking 01:03:26 Medical Causes First 01:06:15 How Little We Know 01:08:14 Closing and Call to Action

Pop on over to our YouTube channel and subscribe and join for membership if you're interested. And, if you're passionate about what we do here at Renegade Psych, we're now on Patreon! Check us out on our socials #RenegadePsych and if you'd like to support our work, you can! Or not... I'll continue putting out content as long as my other jobs pay the bills. Other things you can do: liking, commenting, and sharing our posts also go a long way! https://patreon.com/RenegadePsych.

Thanks for listening to the audio podcast... You should check out our posted video podcast on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaZ1bds1MGMM4tSbY7ISqug) as there are graphics overlaying the video to make it all more interactive and educational. For more social media content, check us out on all social media platforms @RenegadePsych. If you have any comments, questions or challenges to the information we've presented here, if you'd like to be a guest to the show, or if you have general comments, questions, or suggestions, email us at [email protected] and follow the link https://renegade-psych.podcastpage.io/ to our website for source material, transcripts, and additional links for my guests. If you feel passionate about our message and what we're trying to do, and you'd like to donate, you can also follow the link in the show notes to our website.

Disclaimer, this podcast is for informational purposes only. The information provided in this podcast and related materials are meant only to educate. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. While I am a medical doctor and many of my guests have extensive medical training and experience, nothing stated in this podcast nor materials related to this podcast, including recommended websites, texts, graphics, images, or any other materials should be treated as a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice, diagnosis or treatment. All listeners should consult with a medical professional, licensed mental health provider or other healthcare provider if seeking medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.