Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as a Unified Model of Behavior Change

Authors

Steven C. Hayes, Utah State UniversityFollow
Jacqueline Pistorello
Michael E. Levin, Utah State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

The Counseling Psychologist

Volume

40

Publication Date

10-10-2012

First Page

1

Last Page

7

Abstract

The present article summarizes the assumptions, model, techniques, evidence, and diversity/social justice commitments of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT focused on six processes (acceptance, defusion, self, now, values, and action) that bear on a single overall target (psychological flexibility). The ACT model of behavior change has been shown to have positive outcomes across a broad range of applied problems and areas of growth. Process and outcome evidence suggest that the psychological flexibility model underlying ACT provides a unified model of behavior change and personal development that fits well with the core assumptions of counseling psychology.

Recommended Citation

Hayes, Steven C.; Pistorello, Jacqueline; and Levin, Michael E., "Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as a Unified Model of Behavior Change" (2012). Psychology Faculty Publications. Paper 1117.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/psych_facpub/1117