Anam mara psychotherapy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)?
ACT (said like the word act, not the letters) is a type of therapy that helps you:
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deal differently with difficult thoughts and feelings
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figure out what really matters to you (your values)
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take steps towards the life you want — even when things feel hard
ACT isn’t about “fixing” you.
It’s about helping you live a meaningful life with your thoughts and feelings, not waiting for them to disappear.
If ACT is about acceptance, does that mean giving up?
No — and this is a really common misunderstanding.
Acceptance in ACT means:
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stopping the constant fight with thoughts and feelings you can’t control
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learning how to make space for them
It does not mean:
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liking how you feel
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agreeing with your thoughts
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giving up on change
In fact, ACT is very much about change — especially changing what you do.
How is ACT different from “just talking”?
Talking can help — but talking alone doesn’t usually lead to change.
ACT focuses on:
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noticing patterns in thoughts and behaviour
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learning skills to handle emotions differently
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taking committed action — small steps towards what matters
You don’t wait to feel confident or calm first.
You learn how to move forward while feeling unsure, anxious, or uncomfortable.
What does ACT therapy look like in sessions?
Sessions are usually:
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practical
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collaborative
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sometimes a bit playful
We might use:
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metaphors
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visuals
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stories
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real-life experiments to try between sessions
It’s not about perfect answers — it’s about trying new ways of responding to life.
Do I have to talk a lot?
No.
ACT isn’t about endless talking.
It’s about:
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noticing
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practising
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experimenting
You only share what feels safe — and therapy moves at your pace.
Final thought
ACT isn’t about becoming fearless, calm, or “fixed”.
It’s about learning how to:
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show up
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choose what matters
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and keep going — even when life feels messy
That’s not weakness.
That’s psychological flexibility.
Is ACT suitable for teenagers?
Yes — ACT is often particularly helpful for teens.
That’s because:
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it doesn’t expect you to control your thoughts
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it doesn’t tell you to “think positive”
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it respects that life can be hard sometimes
ACT helps teens:
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build emotional flexibility
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understand themselves better
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take steps forward without needing to feel “ready”
Will ACT make uncomfortable feelings go away?
Not always — and that’s okay.
ACT teaches that:
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uncomfortable feelings are part of being human
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trying to eliminate them often makes them stronger
Instead, ACT helps you learn:
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how to carry feelings without them running your life
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how to stop putting life on hold
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how to move forward anyway
