Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Acting on Values Even When Stress Is Present

ACT helps you continue choosing actions that reflect your values even when difficult thoughts and feelings are present. In an optical practice this might mean feeling anxious, self-critical or overwhelmed while still behaving with respect, maintaining safety, showing compassion, being honest, supporting colleagues and keeping patient care central.

What this technique is especially good at

• Cognitive defusion: stepping back from thoughts so they have less control over behaviour.
• Values-based action: deciding what you want your next action to stand for, even when you still feel stressed.
• Psychological flexibility: staying workable under pressure without waiting to feel calm first.
• Reducing avoidance: useful when stress is pushing you away from a necessary conversation or task.

Who it may suit best

• People whose stress is driven by loud self-talk, dread or internal pressure.
• Staff who need to act in line with professional values under pressure.
• Learners who find arguing with thoughts rarely helps.
• Anyone who must keep functioning when discomfort cannot be removed immediately.

When it may be especially useful

• Before a difficult but necessary conversation.
• When the mind is producing harsh warnings, but the task still needs to be done safely.
• After a stressful event that is pulling you towards shame, avoidance or withdrawal.
• When you want to reconnect with purpose rather than simply reduce feelings.

Compared with ABS, ACT places less emphasis on accepting an uncontrollable situation and more on how you relate to thoughts and feelings while choosing values-led action.

Continue with the full course: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Optical Practice Staff