Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based approach that helps individuals build psychological flexibility, manage difficult thoughts and emotions, and take meaningful steps toward the life they want to live. At Daybreak Counseling in Des Moines, ACT is used to support clients who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or caught in cycles of anxiety, avoidance, or self-criticism.
ACT is not about eliminating discomfort. It’s about learning how to carry it differently while moving forward with intention.
ACT is a form of cognitive and behavioral therapy that focuses on helping individuals accept what is out of their control and commit to actions that align with their values.
Rather than trying to “fix” or suppress difficult thoughts and emotions, ACT teaches skills that help you relate to them differently. Through mindfulness, values exploration, and behavior change, clients learn how to create more space between themselves and unhelpful thought patterns.
ACT is effective for adolescents and adults and can be adapted to meet a wide range of mental health needs.
These principles work together to help individuals respond to challenges with greater clarity and choice.
Many people seek ACT therapy when traditional approaches feel too rigid or when they’re tired of fighting their own thoughts. ACT provides a practical framework for navigating stress, uncertainty, and emotional pain while still building a meaningful, fulfilling life.
Clients in Des Moines often find ACT helpful for balancing mental health care with work, family, relationships, and personal growth.
If you’re ready to stop battling your thoughts and start moving toward what matters most, ACT therapy may be a powerful next step.
Contact Daybreak Counseling today to schedule an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy appointment in Des Moines.
ACT is considered a “third-wave” behavioral therapy. While it shares roots with CBT, ACT focuses less on changing thoughts and more on changing your relationship with them.
No. Mindfulness skills are taught in an accessible, practical way and adapted to your comfort level.
Length of therapy varies based on your goals and needs. Some clients see progress in a few months, while others choose longer-term support.
Yes. ACT often works well alongside medication management and other therapeutic approaches.
