Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Chapel Hill & Durham, NC

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy approach that helps individuals build a healthier relationship with difficult thoughts, emotions, and life experiences. From an ACT perspective, it is our attempts to avoid/control/suppress our inner experiences that turns the normal pain of being human into suffering. This more we avoid the normal pain of being human, the more our life becomes controlled by our emotions, and the smaller our life gets. It is through learning how to turn towards inner experiences, with curiosity and compassion, that we can move towards our goals and expand our life. As such, rather than trying to eliminate anxiety, self-doubt, or painful emotions, ACT focuses on increasing psychological flexibility: the ability to stay connected to the present moment, respond to challenges with greater awareness, and take meaningful action aligned with one’s values.

At Mindbody Therapy & Wellness, our therapists use ACT to support clients struggling with anxiety, perfectionism, trauma, relationship stress, burnout, and life transitions. ACT combines mindfulness practices, self-compassion, behavioral strategies, and clarifying values to help clients move out of cycles of avoidance, overthinking, and emotional overwhelm.

Instead of becoming consumed by self-critical thoughts or uncomfortable feelings, clients learn practical skills for observing internal experiences with more openness and curiosity. Through this process, ACT helps individuals develop greater emotional resilience, clarity, and alignment with the life they want to create. This approach can be especially helpful for high-achieving individuals who feel stuck in patterns of people-pleasing, self-criticism chronic worry, over-control, or difficulty slowing down and being present.

Reach out to schedule a free phone consultation with one of our therapists here. We offer both in-person (Chapel Hill, NC) and online therapy sessions.