Acceptance & Commitment Therapy - Introduction

Foundations of ACT: Introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

An introductory, educational course exploring the fundamental concepts and skill areas of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Designed for students, educators, helping professionals, and anyone interested in psychology, this course provides a clear introduction to the ACT model, its six core processes, mindfulness concepts, and commonly used exercises.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a psychological approach that focuses on psychological flexibility, mindful awareness, acceptance of difficult experiences, values, and meaningful action. This course breaks down the basic concepts of ACT in an accessible, step-by-step format.

What You Will Learn

• Understand the Foundations of ACT: Explore the origins, basic principles, terminology, and underlying ideas of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

• Explore the 6 Core Processes: Learn the fundamental concepts behind Cognitive Defusion, Acceptance, Present-Moment Awareness, Self-as-Context, Values, and Committed Action.

• Explore Practical ACT Exercises: Become familiar with commonly used exercises, mindfulness practices, and worksheets and understand how they relate to the ACT framework.

• Understand Common Psychological Patterns: Explore ACT concepts such as experiential avoidance, cognitive fusion, and values-based living.

• Access 50+ Worksheets and Exercises: Use the included materials for educational exploration, self-reflection, and personal learning.

• Apply Concepts to Personal Life: Explore how ACT ideas can be used for self-reflection, mindfulness, understanding thoughts and emotions, and clarifying personal values.

The 6 Core Processes of ACT

1. Cognitive Defusion

An introduction to the concept of creating greater distance from thoughts and recognizing thoughts as mental events rather than automatically treating them as facts.

2. Acceptance

Explore the ACT perspective on making room for uncomfortable thoughts, feelings, and experiences rather than automatically responding through avoidance.

3. Present-Moment Awareness

Learn about mindful attention and practices that encourage greater awareness of present experiences.

4. Self-as-Context

Explore the concept of observing thoughts, feelings, and experiences from a broader perspective rather than defining yourself entirely through them.

5. Values

Understand the role of personally meaningful values in ACT and explore exercises related to identifying what matters to you.

6. Committed Action

Learn how ACT connects values with intentional, achievable actions and explore ways of translating values into meaningful steps.

Additional Topics

The course also introduces:

• Basic mindfulness and grounding exercises

• Self-reflection prompts based on ACT concepts

• Exercises related to thoughts, emotions, avoidance, and personal values

• Examples and worksheets for exploring the concepts introduced in the course

• Ways ACT concepts can complement your existing understanding of psychology and behavioral approaches

Who This Course Is For

• Students: Psychology, counseling, social work, and related students looking for an accessible introduction to ACT.

• Educators and Helping Professionals: Those interested in becoming familiar with ACT terminology and foundational concepts.

• Psychology Enthusiasts: Anyone interested in learning about ACT and its approach to thoughts, emotions, values, and behavior.

• Personal Learning: Individuals interested in using ACT concepts for self-education, reflection, and personal growth.

Course Structure

• Clear, self-paced video lessons covering the foundational concepts of ACT

• Step-by-step explanations of the six core processes

• 50+ worksheets and exercises for educational exploration and self-reflection

• Practical examples to make the concepts easier to understand

• Accessible explanations without assuming extensive prior knowledge of ACT

Important Note

This is an educational and introductory course intended for learning, self-study, and general understanding of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. It does not qualify you to practice counseling or psychotherapy, diagnose or treat mental health conditions, or provide ACT as a clinical intervention. The course does not provide professional licensing, certification, or clinical qualification and is not a substitute for formal professional training, supervision, or mental health care.