ACT Group Therapy: Cultivating Acceptance and Values-Driven Living

Introduction

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an action-oriented psychotherapy. It functions on the basis that there is no use running away from the negative thinking, emotional, or behavioral patterns in life, but to accept that they are valid responses to certain events in life. At the same time, acceptance does not mean living with them, there is also a commitment to move forward and past these negative elements as well. ACT is based on the tenets of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

While ACT is conducted in one-on-one settings, it is also conducted in group settings. At the NuView Treatment Center, we offer ACT group therapy so that our clients can receive the additional benefits of support from group members and also the realization that they are not alone in their struggles.

What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy?

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a kind of psychotherapy or talk therapy based on the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy. It was developed in the 1980s by Steven Hayes. ACT was born out of his own struggles with panic attacks, wherein he believed that it is healthy to accept these experiences in life, even if negative, rather than avoiding or denying them.

The core of ACT comes with acceptance of negative thoughts and experiences. Acceptance can be understood in the form of 4 A’s – acknowledge, allow, accommodate, and appreciate. Once clients accept these experiences, they can then commit to moving past them and toward a healthy, fulfilling life.

Get Help Now!

The Core Processes of ACT in Group Therapy

There are six goals of ACT group therapy, which become its core processes. The major aim of these core processes is to develop psychological flexibility by acquiring the necessary skills to move past avoidance and denial.

• Acceptance – It means being open to unpleasant thoughts and experiences that come with being in the world. This does not mean that one is okay with them or wants to experience them. It simply means to notice them rather than avoiding or denying them.
• Cognitive Defusion – It is the ability to distance oneself from unpleasant thoughts and emotions. It helps to take a step back from these unpleasant experiences and not become overwhelmed by them.
• Self As Context – To step back from unpleasant thoughts and emotions, the self needs to become the context. In that, the self acts as an observer and watches what is happening to oneself.
• Contact With the Present – Being in the here and now, to be able to act as the observer and watch as things unfold.
• Values – Identifying those values and principles of life that will serve as motivation to take action and engage in behaviors that are healthy and meaningful.
• Committed Action – Once the values are aligned, the next process is to take committed action that is in alignment with those values. It helps in leading a meaningful and fulfilling life.

Benefits of ACT Group Therapy

While ACT group therapy is based on the principles of individual ACT, it has its unique set of benefits that are not available in one-on-one sessions:

• It is a collaborative approach between the therapist and the group members.
• Therapist guidance is focused on achieving healing, meaning, and transformation.
• Along with therapist guidance, the group members also experience peer support. This is a motivational and protective factor.
• It helps in normalization, as it helps group members understand that they are not alone in their struggles. In doing so, it reduces feelings of isolation and loneliness.
• It is structured, so the therapist can plan the sessions in advance.

Get Help Now!

Key ACT Techniques in Group Therapy

ACT group therapy is conducted in group settings, so while techniques align with the individual therapy, there are some differences in the way it is conducted.

Rules – The therapist begins by laying down the rules, which function as expectations from the therapy sessions. This involves respect, confidentiality, and so on. However, there is another rule of not rescuing members. As acceptance is one of the core processes of this therapy, group members need to be given the space to experience their emotions without having other members jump in to solve them.

Format – The group can be focused on one topic or also be heterogeneous. It can involve regular check-ins based on core ACT processes, followed by group discussions, and other activities.

Experiential Practices and Exercises – These are exercises that follow ACT components. They focus on awareness and processing emotions.

For example, “Eyes On” is a traditional ACT technique that can be used in group settings. It involves breaking up group members into pairs, looking at one’s partner in the eyes, seeking to understand their struggles, and letting go of any barriers that may stand between them as people. This exercise fosters connectedness over avoidance and denial.

Group Experiences – It involves encouraging present-moment awareness and value-oriented behavior to avoid either avoidance or excessive attachment to negative thoughts and emotions in life.

Conflict – Conflict is common in group therapy settings, so in ACT groups, when conflict occurs, it is useful to direct the focus back on the members’ inner thoughts and explore how these patterns may be affecting their lives.

Facilitator – The therapist plays the role of a facilitator in ACT groups and serves as a model of presence and commitment.

How ACT Group Therapy Addresses Mental Health Challenges

The pillars of ACT are that it is open, centered, and engaged. Similarly, ACT group therapy seeks to address mental health challenges in a way that is focused on the present and committed to action.

• ACT group therapy views clients as a whole and in possession of those capabilities needed to overcome mental health challenges and lead fulfilling lives. It views clients as capable of autonomy and bringing about changes in their lives.

• ACT group therapy focuses on accepting negative thoughts and emotions, but it challenges the notion that these are everything there is to life.

• ACT group therapy uses skills like mindfulness to drive value-oriented commitment and action to moving forward in life, and leading a meaningful and fulfilling one.

• ACT group therapy is psychoeducational in that it believes in clients being their own therapists. It focuses on experiential learning and gets them to notice their struggles and engage in exercises that can be practiced anytime for ongoing care.

• ACT group therapy assigns homework for clients to prepare and plan for the life ahead while also remaining engaged in the group sessions.

How to Apply ACT in Group Therapy?

ACT started as an individual therapy, however, it is very effective even in group contexts. In ACT group therapy, the target is to reduce experiential avoidance, fusion, and disconnection from one’s own value system. In a group setting, this becomes even more achievable as there is support, which serves as motivation and encouragement. Following this, the interconnectedness also adds to the willingness to participate in group therapy sessions.

Moreover, the application of ACT in group therapy becomes an exercise. Group members learn from others’ emotional experiences and their reactions to the same, which gives them a new insight into their own challenges and struggles.

In a group setting, commitment also becomes a very important component of ACT. With a safe space for group members to receive support and encouragement, they are equipped to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives.

So, to apply ACT in group therapy, the focus must be to create a safe and conducive environment, plan activities to foster discussion, and equip group members with the skills and experiences needed to bring the change in their lives.