Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: stop struggling with negative emotions
How would your life change if you could genuinely accept your inner world and align your actions with what matters to you? Counselling psychologist Bertus Swanepoel introduces Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, an evidence-based model focused on behaviour change. ACT addresses anxiety, mood disorders, chronic pain, overeating and other challenges by helping individuals strengthen their sense of self, develop psychological flexibility and take targeted action.
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In ep. 118 of the weekly podcast series Calm, Clear and Helpful, counselling psychologist Bertus Swanepoel clarifies
what Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) involves
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy’s focus on behavioural change and “getting unstuck”
the role of acceptance and commitment in developing psychological flexibility
the difference between pain and suffering
thoughts, feelings and sensations: a practical approach to what we can, and cannot, control - in our inner world and the world outside of our skin
“footwork” in terms of ACT
committing to actions that serve our values, despite inner discomfort
problems or conditions ACT can effectively address, including mitigating a client’s relationship to chronic pain
how this therapy might unfold for a client wanting to lose weight
the meaning of “sometimes the answers are in your feet”
the overall function of the processes used in ACT
the advantages of ACT
why Bertus has a cactus in his practice
which mental health professionals use the ACT model.
In this episode, Bertus mentions When in Doubt, Make Belief: an OCD-inspired approach to living with uncertainty by Jeff Bell; Steven C. Hays – one of the founders of ACT; Bertus’ colleague, Ingrid Ord from Knysna; and the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS).
Scroll down for more info on Bertus, including his contact details and informative websites.
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About Bertus, including contact details
Bertus Swanepoel is a counselling psychologist in private practice in Somerset-West. He uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) in in-person and online counselling with teenagers, adults and couples. Bertus is involved in training mental health professionals in ACT.
Website: https://bertusswanepoel.co.za/
Email: bertus.swanepoel@gmail.com
Tel. 082 852 6880
Worldwide ACT resource (Association for Contextual Behavioral Science or ACBS): https://contextualscience.org/
Information for South African mental health professionals interested in training: https://www.contextuallyconscious.com/
The free podcast series Calm, Clear & Helpful is available on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, Player FM and Iono.fm – I hope you’ll subscribe!
Music by Mart-Marie Snyman
Thumbnail image: Unsplash
Photograph of Bertus Swanepoel: supplied