About ACT

ACT is an acronym for Acceptance and Commitment therapy, an evidence-based theoretical orientation in psychology that is effective for a wide range of disorders. As the most current version of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), research and utilization of ACT is growing rapidly. The purpose of ACT therapy is to help clients live a meaningful life amidst pain. Older models of CBT teach resistance of negative thoughts and emotions, with the premise that thinking/feeling more positively will increase happiness. This is not necessarily antagonistic to the Christian ethos, as “taking thoughts captive” is Biblical and being mentally healthy is important to serving Christ. There are many godly clinicians and Christian resources that utilize CBT. However, ACT focuses less on increasing happiness and more on acceptance of distressing inner experiences to live a values-guided life amidst pain. ACT assumes that life involves pain and helps clients “stop chasing happiness” so they can devote their attention to living the life they desire. Healing in ACT is defined as being able to live according to your values, whereas healing in CBT is defined as experiencing fewer negative thoughts. The prioritization of higher meaning and recognition that fulfilment comes from pursuing values beyond personal comfort is congruent with a Biblical worldview that teaches true joy and worth is found in serving Christ. There are Biblical cases for both ACT and CBT, however, I am among the camp that believe ACT is more aligned with the heart of the Christian; to pursue Christ no matter the cost and live for Him to the best of our ability during our short time on earth. Christians can use mindfulness-based techniques in ACT to be released from negative thoughts and fears to fulfill our God given missions despite their presence.

Mindfulness-based interventions such as ACT that emphasize acceptance and awareness of inner state over struggle, have shown the most promising evidence for treatment of burnout (Puolakanaho et al. 2020, Reeve & Tickel, 2018). The literature on burnout treatment and Christian integration with psychology have converged to ACT as the clear theoretical orientation of choice for this workshop.