About acceptance and commitment therapy (act)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a behaviorally informed approach that emphasizes accepting thoughts and feelings while taking action guided by your values. Below you can browse therapists who list ACT among their approaches to compare focus areas, credentials, languages, and experience.
What to compare in entries
| Credentials | A US state licence, or membership of a professional body such as BACP or NCPS. They are different kinds of thing; each profile shows what was supplied. |
|---|---|
| Focus | Whether acceptance and commitment therapy (act) is listed as a main focus or among the wider list of areas. Entries show both. |
| Way of working | The approaches named on the entry. Two people working with the same concern can describe very different sessions. |
| Time in practice | Years in practice, as supplied. A fact to weigh, not a ranking. |
| Language | The languages sessions can be held in, where that matters to you. |
Common questions
How were these entries chosen?
Everyone listed on this page names Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) among the approaches they told the platform they use. They are not ranked, rated or endorsed by this directory, and the order is not a recommendation.
Do I need a referral to start?
No. You can contact a therapist through their entry directly. A GP referral is not required for independent online therapy.
What if the first therapist is not right?
Changing therapist is normal and expected, and can be done at any point. One session is a small sample of how someone works.
Entries for acceptance and commitment therapy (act)
Roseanne Jackson, LCSW, LCSW-R
Ref 54688
Compassionate, practical help for big life stressors
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingMark Dexter, BACP
Ref 188313
Practical therapy for mood and life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingSiyue Zhang, AASW
Ref 243585
Calm, practical therapy focused on real-life change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English, Mandarin
View listingTheresa Huggins, LPC
Ref 219114
Therapist focused on practical emotional tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingDr. Wanetta "Nita" Hughes Bise, LPC
Ref 7050
Therapist focused on practical support
Works with: Relationship, Trauma and abuse, Parenting Languages: English
View listingAnn Keith, LCSW
Ref 103213
Compassionate, practical therapy for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief Languages: English
View listingWilliam Signey, BACP
Ref 113870
Practical, person-focused counselling for life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingMelody Hatter, LCSW, CSW, LISW
Ref 123632
Practical support for anxiety and life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingJanet Hardin, LCSW
Ref 55726
Practical, compassionate support for life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Bipolar Languages: English
View listingSydney Fisher, LPC
Ref 187550
Compassionate counselor guiding practical growth
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Grief Languages: English
View listingRoselyn Robertson, BACP
Ref 202372
Sensitive, practical counselling for life’s difficult moments
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingWendi Makus, LPC
Ref 48129
Practical therapy for stress and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingLiisa Hiltunen, PACFA
Ref 317033
Calm practical therapy with coaching focus
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingShannon Mott, LCSW
Ref 108724
Compassionate, practical therapy for life transitions
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingJennifer Blaney-Sutton, BACP
Ref 225637
Collaborative psychotherapist for adult challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Depression Languages: English
View listingEthel-Caroline Miman, AASW
Ref 259803
Gentle, practical therapy for life’s big challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingKeith Chilton, LMFT
Ref 106189
Experienced marriage and family therapist
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingMarilee Frazier, LPC
Ref 257654
Compassionate counselor for adults seeking practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingJill Malcolm, BACP
Ref 231136
Gentle practical support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingJennifer Mcpherson (Norman), BACP
Ref 161239
Experienced relationship and trauma counsellor
Works with: Relationship, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingFarah Southwell, LPC
Ref 203059
Practical, experienced therapist for life’s hard moments
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English, Haitian Creole
View listingApril Vandiver, LPC
Ref 229121
Compassionate counselor helping people move forward
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Parenting Languages: English
View listingSally Smith, LPC
Ref 338970
Practical therapy for stress and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingMegan Young, LMHC
Ref 332747
Compassionate counselor for life transitions
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Career Languages: English
View listingDr. Heidi Duong, LMHC
Ref 185659
Helping people rebuild meaning and balance
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Eating Languages: English
View listingIjeoma Nweze, BACP, NCPS
Ref 203170
Compassionate counsellor for everyday challenges
Works with: Relationship, Family, Parenting Languages: English, Igbo
View listingKerrie McCabe, BACP
Ref 128546
Compassionate counsellor blending listening with practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingDaniel Bevan, BACP, NCPS
Ref 206896
Practical, values-focused counselling for everyday challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English, French
View listingJosephine Sultana, AASW
Ref 309775
Compassionate social worker blending therapy and lifestyle care
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Sleeping Languages: English
View listingLoire Bennett, LMHC
Ref 25344
Experienced Florida LMHC focused on practical growth
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Grief Languages: English
View listingDeborah Youngblood, LCSW
Ref 229
Compassionate LCSW offering practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingSidonia Stiles, BACP
Ref 101572
Experienced counsellor for relationships and grief
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief Languages: English, Portuguese
View listingTodd Helm, LPC
Ref 325863
Practical support for stress, relationships, and men's issues
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingReuben Alexander, NCPS
Ref 212721
Practical, focused therapy for anxious and stuck feelings
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Sleeping, Depression Languages: English
View listingMaria "Patti" Lorenzo, LCPC
Ref 26902
A practical, compassionate approach to emotional change
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Self esteem, Coping with life changes Languages: English
View listingCynthia Gladyness, LMSW
Ref 44827
Practical, steady support for life's hard moments
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingEdward Mcguinness, BACP
Ref 263954
Practical, respectful support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingJay Cook, NCPS
Ref 200361
Compassionate counsellor focused on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Relationship Languages: English
View listingCatherine Kearns, BACP
Ref 183397
Practical, person-focused therapy for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingSoraya Hind, BACP
Ref 115815
Support for trauma, identity and ongoing stress
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Depression Languages: English
View listingBeth VanKeuren Maldonado, LCSW
Ref 101474
Experienced Connecticut LCSW offering practical support
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDonald Henderson, LMHC
Ref 68596
Practical support for trauma and life change
Works with: Trauma and abuse, Grief, Anger Languages: English
View listingSophia Mas, LMHC
Ref 91155
Compassionate counselor with practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English, Spanish
View listingAlice Rock, LMHC, LPC
Ref 69157
Stress and addiction counselor focused on wellness
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingLorelle Busby, BACP
Ref 182380
Practical counselling for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingTinna Palmer, LSCSW
Ref 123063
Practical support for stress and life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingWai Kan, BACP
Ref 164673
Practical, values-led support for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Relationship Languages: English
View listingJustine Gibbs, BACP
Ref 151484
Compassionate practical support for life changes
Works with: Relationship, Family, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingMore about acceptance and commitment therapy (act)
What Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Is
Foundations and purpose
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, commonly called ACT, grew from behavioral psychology and contemporary mindfulness practices. At its heart it asks you to shift the relationship you have with internal experiences - thoughts, emotions, sensations - so they interfere less with the life you want to lead. Rather than promising elimination of uncomfortable thoughts, ACT focuses on increasing psychological flexibility. That means helping you notice what matters to you, accept internal experiences without needless struggle, and take committed action in alignment with your values.
The approach is organized around six core processes that together support change. These processes are not techniques to be mastered in isolation but interrelated pathways that help you respond differently to stressors and setbacks. Therapists who list ACT among their approaches often use metaphors and experiential exercises to illustrate these ideas so you can apply them in everyday life.
What Issues ACT Is Commonly Used For
Practical applications
ACT is applied in many settings because it addresses how you relate to difficult internal experiences rather than promising to remove them. People often explore ACT when they are dealing with persistent anxiety, low mood, or stress that interferes with work, relationships, or daily routines. It is also commonly used alongside approaches to manage chronic pain and long-term health conditions where pain or discomfort is present but behavior change can improve quality of life. Therapists who list ACT among their approaches also work with issues such as obsessive thinking, substance use concerns, grief, workplace burnout, and performance anxiety.
Because ACT emphasizes values and committed action, it is also chosen by people looking to clarify what matters to them and to take practical steps toward those aims. You might seek ACT if you want tools to keep moving forward while still experiencing fear or sadness, or if you are looking for an approach that combines mindfulness with behavior change strategies.
What a Typical Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Session Looks Like
Structure and techniques you can expect
A typical ACT session tends to be collaborative and experiential. You and the therapist will explore a current struggle together, paying attention to the thoughts and feelings that arise. Rather than focusing solely on changing the content of your thoughts, the work often centers on changing how you relate to those thoughts - noticing them, gently distancing from them, and deciding what action fits with your values despite them.
Sessions often include brief mindfulness exercises to increase present-moment awareness and experiential metaphors that illustrate key ideas. You may be invited to notice sensations in the body, label thoughts as passing events, or participate in guided imagery to clarify values. The therapist will typically help you translate insights into small, achievable actions to practice between sessions. Homework is common and tends to be practical - short exercises in noticing, values clarification tasks, or incremental steps toward meaningful activities. Over time, the aim is for you to build a flexible relationship with internal experiences so you can pursue a meaningful life even when discomfort is present.
How ACT Differs From Other Common Approaches
Key distinctions
Although ACT shares features with cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based therapies, it emphasizes different targets and goals. Traditional cognitive-behavioral techniques often work directly on changing thought content by identifying and challenging distorted beliefs. ACT, by contrast, focuses on the function of thoughts and the response they trigger. Instead of trying to prove a thought wrong, ACT helps you notice a thought's presence and choose actions that align with your values despite that thought.
Compared with psychodynamic approaches, which may explore the origins of patterns in early experience, ACT is typically more present-focused and action-oriented. When compared to other mindfulness-informed methods, ACT explicitly combines mindfulness with values-driven behavioral change. Therapists who list ACT among their approaches may integrate elements from multiple schools to suit your needs, but the distinctive emphasis remains on acceptance, defusion from unhelpful thinking patterns, and committed action toward valued goals. This orientation can feel especially practical for people who want a therapeutic pathway that prioritizes living in accordance with personal values while learning new ways to respond to inner experiences.
Who Is a Good Candidate for ACT and How to Choose a Therapist
Deciding if ACT might work for you and finding the right provider
ACT may suit you if you are seeking tools to handle difficult thoughts and feelings without letting them derail your life, and if you are motivated to clarify values and take action toward them. It can be helpful when symptoms are long-standing or when previous attempts to control or eliminate internal experiences have not brought lasting relief. That said, the best approach for you depends on your personal goals, the nature of your concerns, and your preferences for therapeutic style.
When looking for a therapist who uses ACT, focus on fit and approach rather than assuming universal suitability. Read therapist profiles to learn how they describe their use of ACT and which populations or issues they commonly work with. Pay attention to listed credentials, languages spoken, cultural background, and areas of clinical focus so you can identify therapists whose experience aligns with your needs. Consider whether you prefer one-on-one sessions, group formats, or a mix of in-person and remote work, and look for information about session length and fees.
It is reasonable to contact a therapist to ask brief questions about how they typically integrate ACT into their work, what a first few sessions might involve, and how they measure progress. Many people find it helpful to ask how values are assessed in therapy and what kinds of between-session activities are suggested. The relationship you build with a therapist - a sense of ease, understanding, and shared purpose - often matters as much as any single technique. Using the listings above to compare focus areas and approaches can help you narrow options so you can select someone whose style and experience feel like a good match for the work you want to do.
Bringing ACT Into Everyday Life
Applying principles outside of sessions
One of the strengths people report with ACT is the emphasis on translating insight into action. Outside sessions, you may practice short mindfulness exercises, experiment with noticing thoughts without immediately reacting to them, and take small steps toward values-driven goals. These practices do not promise instant relief from unpleasant feelings, but they can expand what you are willing to do in the presence of discomfort. Over time, many people find that living by clarified values - even amid difficult emotions - leads to a stronger sense of direction and meaning.
If you are curious about ACT, using therapist profiles to learn more about how practitioners describe their approach is a helpful first step. Reading about how ACT is used for particular concerns, and what a typical session looks like, can make it easier to choose a therapist whose methods and focus align with your goals. The process is collaborative - you bring your life and values, and the therapist offers tools and support to help you act in service of what matters most to you.