Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Colorado Springs
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a modern, evidence-based form of psychotherapy that falls within the broader family of cognitive-behavioral therapies. ACT (pronounced as the word “act,” not initials) was developed by psychologist Steven C. Hayes in the 1980s and is grounded in a theory called Relational Frame Theory, which examines how human language and cognition interact with behavior. The core philosophy is that psychological suffering is a normal part of being human, and that fighting against painful thoughts and feelings often makes things worse — not better.Rather than trying to eliminate difficult thoughts or emotions, ACT helps people change their relationship with those experiences.
Our ACT Therapists
The Six Core Processes of ACT
ACT works through six interconnected psychological skills:
Acceptance — Allowing painful thoughts, feelings, and sensations to exist without struggling against them. This doesn’t mean approving of them — just making room for them.
Cognitive Defusion — Learning to see thoughts as just thoughts, not as absolute truths or commands. For
example, shifting from “I am a failure” to “I notice I’m having the thought that I’m a failure.”
Present-Moment Awareness — Developing mindfulness — the ability to be fully engaged in the here and now, rather than lost in regret about the past or worry about the future.
Self-as-Context — Recognizing that you are not your thoughts or feelings. You are the observer of those experiences — a stable “you” that can notice them without being defined by them.
Values Clarification — Identifying what truly matters to you in life — your relationships, work, health, creativity, etc. These become your compass.
Committed Action — Taking concrete steps toward a life aligned with your values, even when discomfort arises.
Together, these six processes build psychological flexibility — the central goal of ACT.
Benefits of ACT
Broad applicability. ACT has strong research support for a wide range of conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, OCD, PTSD, chronic pain, substance use, and eating disorders.
ACT works with your inner world, not against it. Many people feel exhausted from years of trying to suppress, fix, or eliminate their anxious or depressive thoughts. ACT offers a genuinely different path — one that reduces the struggle rather than demanding you “think positive.”
It’s values-driven, not symptom-driven. Instead of only asking “how do I feel less bad?”, ACT also asks “what kind of life do I want to build?” This makes it empowering and forward-looking.
ACT builds lasting psychological skills. The mindfulness and defusion techniques learned in ACT are tools people carry with them long after therapy ends.
It’s effective even when symptoms don’t fully resolve. Because the goal is a meaningful life rather than the absence of pain, people can make real progress even while still experiencing some difficult thoughts or emotions.
It’s adaptable. ACT can be delivered individually, in groups, via workbooks, and even through apps — making it accessible in many formats.
Is ACT Right for Everyone?
ACT is a strong fit for people who feel “stuck” despite trying hard to control their mental state, those who want to reconnect with meaning and purpose, and those open to mindfulness-based approaches. It may feel counterintuitive at first — being told to accept discomfort rather than eliminate it can seem strange — but most people find it deeply liberating with practice.
If you are considering therapy, our licensed mental health professionals can help assess whether ACT (or another modality) is the best fit for your specific needs and goals.
Insurance Accepted
PWG is proud to accept the following insurance providers:
Aetna and First Health, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna and Evernorth, Kaiser Commercial, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Tricare (Including Tricare Select, Tricare Prime, and TriWest), United Healthcare and UMR
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A Safe and Inclusive Place
PWG is passionate and committed to helping all clients. We offer a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment to culturally diverse and LGBTQIA+ clients. We are dedicated to providing culturally competent, quality wellness services with providers who are supportive, aligned, and accepting.
