Dr. Hank Robb is an expert in both ACT and REBT, and in this podcast he shares ways in which some of the insight from ACT complements the tools of SMART Recovery.

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, or ACT (pronounced as the word “act”) is one of several acceptance based, 3rd generation cognitive behavioral therapies. ACT has been helpful with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other psychological conditions, all of which can contribute to substance use behavior if not managed well.  ACT is currently being studied directly in populations with addictive behavior.  SMART Tools use the ABCs in REBT as well as Acceptance of Self, Life, and Others, and it is a natural step to incorporate deliberate self-awareness, and emphasize valued living and purpose in our daily lives.  ACT is about moving along and doing what's important, even if it means being aware of, or tolerating uncomfortable thoughts or feelings.  ACT is about maintaining our action focus as well as our perspective on what we value and where we are going. 

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy is a “psychological flexibility model” with 6 key concepts:

1) Self as Context
2) Acceptance
3) Defusion
4) Commitment
5) Values
6) Present Moment Awareness

These six can be captured in the question,

“Given the difference between you and the stuff you are struggling with (thoughts and feelings), are you willing to have that stuff as it is, rather than what it seems to be – monstrous; and right here, right now, act in the service of the Big Picture you choose for your life?”

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