Acceptance and Commitment Group Therapy in Los Angeles

Did you ever try to really, really not think about something - maybe while you are stuck in Los Angeles traffic or during a quiet moment on the beach? What ended up happening? A little spoiler alert if you have not tried this at home (or anywhere else, for that matter): more often than not, you end up thinking about the very thing you are trying to avoid. This is exactly the human tendency that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is built on.

ACT recognizes that there is no use in running away from uncomfortable thoughts. Real change begins when you allow yourself to acknowledge them instead. While ACT is often practiced one-on-one, NuView Treatment Center takes it a step further. We offer ACT in group settings, so you can experience the benefits of this psychotherapy in a safe, judgment-free Los Angeles community where you can connect, learn, and grow together.

Acceptance and commitment (ACT) group therapy is a mindfulness-based, cognitive-behavioral technique that enables you to accept your thoughts and emotions as they are so that you can commit to change. While ACT is typically delivered in one-on-one settings, ACT group therapy is conducted in groups of 5-10 members, led by one or two therapists.

ACT was developed by Dr. Steven C. Hayes in the 1980s, who based the therapy on his own struggles with panic attacks.

Linda Whiteside, Clinical Supervisor at NuView, says, “At our Los Angeles facility, we provide ACT in both individual and group settings. We have observed that group-based ACT interventions show significant improvement in substance misuse and mental health symptoms, as you get a supportive setting in which you can collectively learn and grow.”

ACT group therapy has the same six core processes as individual ACT therapy, which are:

• Cognitive Defusion - You detach yourself from those thoughts and emotions that are not helpful, and in this way, stop taking them as the truth.
• Acceptance - You acknowledge, allow, accommodate, and appreciate difficult thoughts and emotions instead of avoiding or fighting against them.
• Being Present - You connect with your present by incorporating mindfulness-based practices in your daily life.
• Self-as-Context - You recognize that your thoughts and emotions do not define the entire you.
• Values Clarification - You introspect (look inward) to identify your personal principles that need to become the basis of your actions.
• Committed Action - You take proactive steps toward your goals in a way that aligns with your principles.

Linda Whiteside says, “While ACT is based on cognitive behavioral therapy principles, it does not seek to change your thoughts in the way they affect your emotions or behaviors. In fact, it acknowledges them as real and valid. But what it also does is reduce the power you give to your thoughts as your reality.”

The key ACT techniques used in ACT group therapy set the tone for the following sessions. They are as follows:

Rules

The therapist lays down rules, like confidentiality and respect for one another. One very important rule is “not to rescue” other team members as they experience their thoughts and emotions. Instead, the idea is to just experience them as they are.

Format

The format will involve focusing on one or more topics, regular check-ins, group discussions, and other therapeutic activities.

Facilitator

The therapist is the facilitator of ACT group sessions and serves as a model of acceptance and commitment.

Experiential Practices and Exercises

You will practice and integrate ACT exercises that focus on becoming aware of and processing your emotions. For instance, a traditional ACT technique is “Eyes On,” where you team up with a partner, look into their eyes, listen to them, and see the person behind them. It is simple yet empowering in that it fosters connectedness over avoidance/denial.

Group Experiences

You encourage one another to become more connected to the present and move toward behaviors that are aligned with their principles.

Conflict

Conflict in ACT group therapy exists. Whenever this happens, the therapist will focus the light on your inner thoughts to explore how these patterns are impacting your life.

Linda Whiteside says, “In ACT group therapy, the target is to reduce experiential avoidance and disconnectedness from your own principles. In a group setting, this becomes even more achievable as you receive support from peers on similar journeys as you. You receive a safe and secure environment where you can share, connect, receive inspiration, and inspire others yourself.”

Within the ACT group, you begin noticing your thoughts and emotions alongside the experiences of others, with the help of the six core processes. This reduces isolation, offers fresh perspectives, and helps you see that your struggles do not isolate you - in fact, they connect you to a supportive community learning to grow together.

While ACT started off as a one-on-one therapy, Los Angeles treatment centers, like NuView, are finding it to be very effective in group settings as well.

ACT group therapy addresses substance misuse and other mental health conditions in the following ways:

• You are an active participant in the therapy, capable of autonomy and self-determination.
• You are encouraged to be honest with your thoughts and feelings instead of suppressing them. When you are honest, you approach them with curiosity and kindness.
• The therapist will create a safe and conducive environment that fosters dialogue, sharing of experiences, and action that will usher in a real change in your life.
• You learn mindfulness and other skills to commit to a value-oriented life and move toward meaningful change.
• It is psychoeducational in that it focuses on experiential learning and empowers you to be your own therapist.
• You get homework in between sessions, where you practice the tools and skills you have learned and grow even outside of the therapeutic setting.

At NuView, our clients report that ACT group therapy helps them relate to others to foster a feeling of connectedness and mutual support. They also report feeling a sense of belonging, where they develop empathy and a healthy exchange of information and experiences.

By participating in ACT group therapy, you experience the following benefits:

• You receive peer encouragement and community. You can look around and realize that you are not alone in your struggles or journey.
• You collaborate with your therapist as a team and achieve healing and transformation.
• ACT group therapy is both structured and flexible. Your therapist structures group sessions in advance, yet there is still room for flexibility.

ACT group therapy is not about learning new skills; it is about living life differently as you move toward healing and change. Whenever you are ready for this change and connectedness, reach out to us at NuView! We understand your background, challenges, needs, strengths, and goals to tailor your ACT group sessions for you.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at (323) 307-7997 to connect with our ACT experts today!

1. How is ACT group therapy different from other group therapies in Los Angeles?

ACT groups use the six core ACT processes of cognitive defusion, acceptance, being present, self-as-context, values clarification, and committed action to foster healing and meaningful change.

2. Can ACT group therapy help if I struggle to open up in groups?

Yes, your ACT group therapist will use gentle, experiential exercises that let you participate at your own pace without pressure to share before you are ready.

3. How long does it typically take to notice progress in ACT group therapy?

While there is no set timeline, many report noticeable shifts in awareness and behavior within a few sessions as they practice mindfulness and value-driven action.

4. Is ACT group therapy effective for people who have tried other therapies without success?

Yes, ACT group therapy changes your relationship with your thoughts rather than the thoughts themselves. It can be beneficial when the former has not led to any sustainable change.

5. Will ACT group therapy still benefit me if my struggles are different from others in the group?

Yes, no two persons are the same. So, ACT group therapy provides you with the tools you need to apply across challenges, even if personal experiences differ.