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. 

If you are new to podcasts, simply click on the arrow to listen to Bertus and Mariette, or on the download button to download the conversation onto your device.

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.

Feel free to click on Home and browse this website for articles and podcasts on more fulfilling love relationships, easier parenting, and upping your emotional well-being.

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