Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in Chicago

Transform Your Relationship with Thoughts and Emotions

At Tides Mental Health, our Chicago-based therapists offer Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to support individuals, couples, and families in building greater psychological flexibility and living in alignment with their values. Through evidence-based, personalized care, we help clients respond more effectively to difficult thoughts and emotions while staying connected to what matters most.

Ready to start your journey? Schedule your free 15-minute consultation today.

What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy?

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based approach that helps you relate differently to difficult thoughts and emotions rather than getting stuck fighting them. ACT focuses on building psychological flexibility – supporting you in accepting internal experiences as they are while taking meaningful action guided by your values.

Our therapists use mindfulness-based and values-driven interventions to support psychological flexibility—the ability to stay present with your experience and respond effectively to life’s challenges while continuing to move toward what matters to you.

Core Principles of ACT Therapy

Acceptance: Learning to make room for difficult emotions without becoming overwhelmed by them, supporting steadier emotional resilience over time.

Mindfulness: Cultivating present-moment awareness through mindfulness-based interventions that help you stay grounded during challenging situations; being present, non-judgmental, and open-minded.

Values Clarification: Identifying your personal values to guide decision-making and create a more fulfilling life aligned with what truly matters to you.

Committed Action: Taking concrete steps toward your values, even when facing obstacles or difficult emotions.

Cognitive Defusion: Encourages us to notice our thoughts without getting tangled up in them. Instead of treating every thought like a fact, we can take a step back, observe it, and create more space to choose how we would like to respond (i.e. choose the path most closely aligned with our values).

Self-as-Context: Noticing that you are the consistent, observing perspective behind your thoughts, feelings, and roles – not the content of those thoughts or emotions themselves.

Adults

Anxiety & Depression: Learn to relate differently to difficult thoughts and emotions while building a life guided by your values.
Past Trauma & PTSD: Work with traumatic experiences in a way that supports steadiness, self-compassion, and resilience.
Life Transitions: Navigate major changes with greater clarity, flexibility, and purpose.
Relationship Challenges: Strengthen communication and emotional regulation in service of showing up as the partner you want to be.
Self-Esteem Issues: Shift from self-judgement towards a more compassionate, values-anchored sense of self.
Eating-Related Struggles: Develop a steadier relationship with food, body image, and self-identity.
Substance Use & Addictive Behaviors: Change your relationship with urges, cravings, and shame while strengthening the capacity to move toward what matters.
Social Anxiety: Build confidence in social situations by stepping back from anxious thoughts and taking values-driven action in social situations.

Teens and Young Adults

School stress and academic pressure.
Identity exploration and self-discovery.
Emotional regulation challenges.
Family conflicts and relationship difficulties.
Social anxiety and peer pressure.

Couples and Families

Communication breakdowns.
Parenting stress and family dynamics.
Life transitions affecting the family system.
Building deeper connection and understanding.

Our Approach to ACT Therapy

At Tides Mental Health, our Chicago-based therapists provide personalized therapy that honors your unique needs, background, and goals. We combine ACT with other evidence-based therapies when appropriate, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and trauma-informed care.

What Makes Our Approach Different

Culturally Responsive Care: Our diverse team of ACT therapists provides affirming support for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, and multilingual clients seeking inclusive mental health care.

Personalized Treatment Plans: We work collaboratively with you to develop treatment goals that align with your personal values and life circumstances.

Flexible Service Options: Choose from individual therapy, group therapy, or family sessions, with both in-person and online options available.

Experiential Learning: Our ACT therapists incorporate experiential exercises, mindfulness practices, and creative techniques to make therapy engaging and practical.

Integrated Approach: We seamlessly combine commitment therapy with other evidence-based therapies to provide comprehensive care tailored to your specific needs.

Building Psychological Flexibility

Central to our ACT approach is developing psychological flexibility—the ability to adapt to changing circumstances while staying true to your personal values. Our therapists help you:

Stay present with difficult emotions, even when they feel overwhelming.
Pause to respond intentionally, rather than getting pulled into reactivity.
Take meaningful action, even when experiencing difficult thoughts, feelings, or circumstances.
Strengthen your ability to navigate future life stressors.
Create lasting change that extends beyond therapy sessions.

What to Expect in ACT Therapy

Your First Session

During your initial appointment, our therapists focus on understanding your unique situation, exploring what brought you to therapy, and beginning to identify your personal values. We create a safe, non-judgmental environment where you can share openly while establishing therapeutic goals that make sense for your life.

Ongoing Therapy Sessions

Individual Therapy: Weekly or bi-weekly sessions tailored to your specific needs and schedule, incorporating mindfulness practices, experiential exercises, and values-based action planning.

Group Therapy: Connect with others on similar journeys while learning skills in a supportive community setting.

Family & Couples Therapy: Work together to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen relationships using ACT principles.

Therapeutic Techniques

Our therapists utilize various strategies and experiential exercises including:

Mindfulness and present-moment awareness practices.
Values exploration and clarification exercises.
Cognitive defusion techniques for managing unhelpful thoughts.
Metaphors to explore and better understand your patterns and goals.
Behavioral activation for taking committed action.
Techniques geared toward strengthening self-compassion.

Benefits of ACT Therapy

Clients who engage in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy at Tides Mental Health typically experience:

Improved Emotional Regulation: Better relationship with and ability to manage anxiety, depression, and intense emotions without being overwhelmed.

Enhanced Relationships: Stronger communication skills, decreased reactivity, and deeper connections with others.

Greater Life Satisfaction: Clearer sense of purpose and direction based on personal values rather than external expectations.

Increased Resilience: Effective coping strategies for handling future challenges and setbacks.

Authentic Self-Expression: Freedom to be yourself without fear of judgment or rejection.

Reduced Avoidance: Ability to face difficult situations and emotions with courage and self-compassion.

Values-Based Living: Making decisions and taking actions that align with what truly matters to you.

Our Expert Team of Chicago-Based ACT Therapists

Our team of ACT therapists brings extensive training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy along with specializations in trauma recovery, anxiety treatment, depression support, relationship counseling, and family therapy. Each therapist is committed to providing culturally responsive, affirming care that honors your unique identity and experiences.

We understand that finding the right therapeutic match is crucial for successful outcomes. Our intake process includes guidance in selecting an ACT therapist whose expertise, style, and background align with your specific needs and preferences.

Specialized Expertise

Trauma-informed approach.
LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy and identity exploration.
Culturally responsive care for BIPOC communities.
Neurodivergent-affirming therapeutic approaches.
Eating disorder recovery using ACT principles.
Anxiety and depression treatment through mindfulness-based interventions.

Getting Started with an ACT Therapist

Beginning your journey at Tides Mental Health is straightforward and supportive:

Free Consultation: Schedule a 15-minute conversation to discuss your needs and determine if our commitment therapy approach aligns with your goals.
Therapist Matching: Our intake team helps you select a Chicago-based ACT therapist whose expertise and style fit your preferences.
Flexible Scheduling: Book weekly or bi-weekly therapy sessions through our secure online portal, choosing between in-person or telehealth options.

Collaborative Treatment Planning: Work with your therapist to develop personalized goals and strategies for creating a more fulfilling life.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is ACT different from other approaches?

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy focuses on changing your relationship with difficult thoughts and emotions, rather than trying to eliminate them. This approach emphasizes psychological flexibility, mindfulness, and living according to your personal values, making it particularly effective for creating lasting change and a meaningful life.

How long does ACT take?

The duration varies based on individual needs and goals. Some clients experience significant benefits within a few months, while others prefer longer-term therapeutic relationships. Our therapists work collaboratively with you to determine the most appropriate treatment timeline.

Can ACT be combined with other treatments?

Yes, our therapists frequently integrate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with other evidence-based therapies such as CBT, DBT, or trauma-informed approaches. This integrated approach ensures comprehensive care tailored to your unique needs.

Is ACT effective for anxiety and depression?

Research consistently shows that ACT is highly effective for treating anxiety and depression. By developing psychological flexibility and effective coping strategies, clients learn to manage symptoms while building a fulfilling life based on their personal values.

Start Your Journey Toward Greater Well-Being

Don’t let difficult thoughts and emotions control your life. Our compassionate team of Chicago-based therapists is ready to help you develop the psychological flexibility and skills needed to create a more fulfilling life aligned with your personal values.

Take the first step today:

Schedule your free 15-minute consultation
Connect with an ACT therapist who understands your unique needs
Begin building the life you truly want

At Tides Mental Health, we believe everyone deserves access to high-quality, affirming mental health care. Contact us today to learn how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can support your journey toward psychological flexibility, emotional well-being, and a meaningful life.