In our podcast with Professor Grant Schofield, we explored Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT has two main parts: acceptance and commitment. The acceptance part involves recognizing that negative thoughts and feelings are normal and can’t be deleted. Trying to get rid of them often makes things worse, like wrestling with a monster—the more you fight, the stronger it gets.
Schofield explained that acceptance helps with “defusion,” which means acknowledging thoughts without letting them control you. For example, feeling nervous before a big event is normal. Instead of fighting these feelings, you accept them and let them pass through.
The commitment part focuses on behavior. Despite feeling nervous or scared, what actions will you take? The goal is to choose behaviors that move you towards your best life. Schofield emphasized that even people with major depressive disorder can envision their best life. ACT encourages them to think about actions that align with that vision.
In essence, ACT teaches you to accept your thoughts and commit to actions that lead to a fulfilling life, rather than being bogged down by trying to eliminate negative emotions.
