Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of therapy that has been shown to be very effective in combating OCD, anxiety, depression, and more in children and teens. ACT is based on the idea that our thoughts and our feelings are not our issue, but our reactions to our thoughts and feelings cause the real problems. An example is OCD: how many times have you told your son to was hhis hands while he just brushed you off? Many kids have thoughts about germs that they are able to ignore, but some kids react to those thoughts by feeling compelled to clean. It is those that choose to react to their thoughts that are at risk to develop OCD. 

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According to ACT, there are six sets of skills that can be addressed to help kids have unwanted thoughts and feelings and still move on and be kids

• Acceptance: Allowing thoughts and feelings without trying to change them

• Cognitive Defusion: Understanding that thoughts are thoughts and not reality

• Mindfulness: Being present in this moment instead of "time traveling" to the past or future. 

• Self as Context: Understanding that you have own your experiences and other people have theirs. 

• Values: Understanding what is important to you. For example: Is it more important to try something new or to stay safe from failure?

• Committed Action: Using skills and knowledge to do what is important to you instead of what is important to your thoughts and feelings.

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The skills inherent to ACT can help kids understand their thoughts and feelings and find new ways to work with them so that they can enjoy their childhood. If you would like to learn more about ACT and how the team at Therapy for Boys can use these skills to help your child please contact us to set up an assessment!