Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Services at Brookside Family Therapy

Transform Your Life with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

At Brookside Family Therapy in Manassas Park, VA, we offer specialized Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) services designed to help you develop greater psychological flexibility and live a more fulfilling life aligned with your core values. Our team of experienced mental health professionals utilizes evidence-based ACT interventions to address a wide range of challenges, from anxiety disorders to relationship issues.

ACT therapy is a powerful approach that combines mindfulness skills with practical strategies for behavior change. Rather than focusing solely on symptom reduction, ACT teaches you to accept difficult thoughts and feelings while committing to actions that create a rich, meaningful life. This innovative approach has helped countless individuals transform their relationship with challenging emotions and move toward their personal goals.

What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based therapeutic approach that enhances psychological flexibility through mindfulness, acceptance, and values-based action. Developed within the field of contextual behavioral science, ACT differs from traditional cognitive behavior therapy by focusing on changing your relationship with difficult thoughts and feelings rather than attempting to eliminate them.

The ACT model recognizes that psychological suffering often results from attempts to control or avoid uncomfortable experiences. Instead of struggling against these experiences, ACT teaches clients to observe thoughts mindfully, accept emotions non-judgmentally, and take committed actions aligned with personal values.

This powerful approach has demonstrated effectiveness for various mental health conditions, including:

  • Anxiety disorders and social anxiety disorder

  • Depression and depressive symptoms

  • ADHD

  • PTSD

  • Chronic pain and pain acceptance

  • Relationship issues

  • Life transitions

The Six Core Principles of ACT: The Hexaflex Model

ACT therapy is built around six interconnected processes known as the Hexaflex model. Each component works together to develop psychological flexibility—the ability to be present, open to experience, and take action guided by your values. Our ACT therapists are skilled in helping clients understand and apply these principles to their unique circumstances.

1. Cognitive Defusion

Cognitive defusion techniques help you create distance from unhelpful thoughts by recognizing them as mental events rather than literal truths. Instead of being caught in negative thoughts, you'll learn to observe them without becoming entangled or controlled by them. This shift reduces the impact of difficult thoughts on your emotions and behaviors.

2. Acceptance

Acceptance involves willingly embracing your full range of emotions without attempting to change or control them. This doesn't mean resignation; rather, it means acknowledging your experiences without judgment. Acceptance is an alternative to experiential avoidance, which often increases psychological distress in the long run.

3. Present Moment Awareness

ACT emphasizes mindfulness practice and present moment awareness to help you engage fully with your current experience. By developing this skill, you can break free from ruminating about the past or worrying about the future. Our mindfulness exercises help you notice physical sensations, thoughts, and emotions as they arise, creating space for more effective responses.

4. Self-as-Context

Self-as-context (the "observing self") involves recognizing that you are more than your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This perspective allows you to view challenging internal experiences as passing events rather than defining aspects of your identity. Developing this transcendent sense supports greater psychological flexibility and self-awareness.

5. Values Clarification

Values clarification helps you identify what truly matters in your life. These core values serve as a compass, guiding your choices and actions toward a meaningful existence. Our ACT therapists facilitate exercises to help you discover and connect with your values across various life domains, from relationships to personal growth.

6. Committed Action

Committed action involves taking concrete steps aligned with your identified values, even when faced with difficult thoughts and feelings. This commitment to behavior change creates a pattern of values-based living that leads to greater fulfillment and purpose. Our ACT sessions help you develop specific, measurable goals that reflect your deepest values.

How ACT Therapy Can Help You

ACT therapy has demonstrated effectiveness for a wide range of challenges through empirical evidence and systematic review studies. The psychological flexibility model underlying ACT helps clients respond more adaptively to life's difficulties while pursuing what matters most.

For Anxiety

ACT provides powerful tools for managing anxiety by changing your relationship with anxious thoughts. Rather than trying to eliminate anxiety, you'll learn to accept these experiences while still engaging in valued activities. This approach breaks the cycle of avoidance that often reinforces anxiety disorders and allows you to live more fully despite uncomfortable feelings.

For ADHD

If you're struggling with attention challenges, ACT can help you develop greater awareness of your attention patterns and create strategies aligned with your personal values. The mindfulness components enhance focus and present-moment awareness, while values clarification helps prioritize what truly matters to you.

For PTSD

ACT offers effective strategies for trauma-related challenges by teaching flexible and resilient responses to triggers and memories. By fostering acceptance of difficult emotions while committing to valued actions, ACT helps you move forward despite painful experiences from the past.

For Life Transitions

During significant changes—whether career shifts, relationship changes, or other major life events—ACT provides a framework for clarifying values and making choices aligned with what matters most. This approach fosters psychological flexibility during uncertain times and helps you navigate transitions with greater clarity and purpose.

For Relationship Issues

ACT enhances relationship dynamics by helping you clarify relationship values and commit to actions that strengthen connections. The acceptance components help you navigate challenging emotions without being controlled by them, fostering healthier communication patterns and deeper understanding.

For Chronic Pain

For those experiencing chronic pain, ACT offers a unique approach that focuses on pain acceptance and engagement in meaningful activities despite discomfort. This approach has shown significant effectiveness in improving quality of life and reducing the psychological distress often associated with persistent pain.

Our Approach to ACT at Brookside Family Therapy

At Brookside Family Therapy, we integrate ACT principles with other evidence-based approaches to provide comprehensive mental health care. Our collaborative approach ensures that treatment is tailored to your specific needs and goals.

Personalized Treatment Planning

We begin by conducting a thorough assessment to understand your unique challenges, strengths, and goals. Based on this information, we develop a personalized treatment plan that integrates ACT interventions with other therapeutic approaches as needed. This customized approach ensures that therapy addresses your specific concerns and builds on your existing resources.

Integration with Other Therapeutic Modalities

While ACT forms the foundation of our approach for many clients, we often integrate it with other evidence-based modalities such as:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

  • Solution-Focused Therapy

  • Narrative Therapy

  • Person-Centered Therapy

  • Gottman-Informed Therapy for couples

This integrative approach allows us to draw from multiple frameworks to address your unique challenges comprehensively.

Experiential Learning and Practice

ACT is an experiential approach that emphasizes learning through direct experience rather than abstract discussion. Our sessions include practical exercises, metaphors, and mindfulness activities that help you apply ACT principles to your daily life. Between sessions, we'll encourage practice of specific skills to reinforce your learning and promote lasting behavior change.

Ongoing Assessment and Adjustment

We continuously monitor your progress and adjust our approach as needed. This commitment to responsive care ensures that therapy remains aligned with your evolving needs and goals. We use both standardized measures and personalized feedback to track improvements in psychological flexibility and quality of life.

In-Person and Online ACT Sessions

We understand that flexibility is essential for making therapy accessible. That's why we offer both in-person and online ACT sessions to accommodate your preferences and needs.

In-Person Therapy

Our Manassas Park office provides a comfortable, private environment for face-to-face ACT sessions. Many clients appreciate the personal connection and dedicated therapeutic space of in-person therapy.

Online Therapy

Our secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform allows you to engage in ACT therapy from the comfort of your home or any private location. Online sessions offer convenience and accessibility without compromising the quality of care.

Hybrid Options

We also offer hybrid arrangements that combine in-person and online sessions to accommodate changing schedules and preferences. This flexible approach ensures consistent support regardless of your circumstances.

Meet Our ACT Therapists

Our team includes several mental health professionals with specialized training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and clinical psychology. Each ACT therapist brings unique expertise and a compassionate approach to helping clients develop greater psychological flexibility and values-based living.

Our therapists regularly participate in professional development to stay current with the latest research and techniques in ACT literature. This commitment to ongoing learning ensures that you receive the most effective, up-to-date care based on current empirical support in the field.

Getting Started with ACT at Brookside Family Therapy

Beginning your ACT journey at Brookside Family Therapy is a straightforward process:

  1. Initial Contact: Call our office to speak with our business manager, Jennifer, or schedule directly through our website.

  2. Intake Process: Complete electronic intake forms that help us understand your needs and goals.

  3. First Session: Meet with an ACT therapist to discuss your concerns, learn about the therapy process, and begin developing a collaborative plan.

  4. Ongoing Therapy: Engage in regular ACT sessions focused on building psychological flexibility and moving toward your valued goals.

We recommend weekly sessions initially, with frequency adjusting as you progress. Most clients find that 12-20 sessions provide significant benefits, though the exact duration depends on your specific needs and goals.

Why Choose Brookside Family Therapy for ACT

Choosing Brookside Family Therapy for your mental health journey offers several advantages:

Expert, Collaborative Care

Our team of mental health professionals works collaboratively to provide specialized care tailored to your unique needs. This approach ensures you receive the most effective support for your specific challenges.

Diverse Therapeutic Team

Our diverse staff brings varied backgrounds and specialties, enhancing our ability to connect with clients from different perspectives. This diversity creates a rich therapeutic environment where multiple viewpoints inform our approach.

Client-Centered Environment

From your first contact with our office, you'll experience our commitment to creating a welcoming, respectful environment. We prioritize prompt, attentive service and recognize the importance of making you feel valued throughout your therapeutic journey.

Comprehensive Approach

Beyond individual ACT sessions, we offer a range of services that complement and enhance your therapeutic work, including couples therapy, family therapy, and group sessions that incorporate ACT principles.

Take the Next Step Toward Psychological Flexibility

Ready to explore how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can help you create a more meaningful, fulfilling life? Contact Brookside Family Therapy today to schedule an initial consultation with one of our experienced ACT therapists.

By developing greater psychological flexibility through ACT, you can learn to navigate life's challenges while staying connected to what matters most to you. Our team is committed to supporting you on this journey of acceptance, mindfulness, and values-based action.