Focused-Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (FACT) is an innovative approach and integrates aspects of traditional Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with a more concentrated, session-specific application. FACT aims to provide rapid relief from psychological distress and helps in fostering long-term well-being by promoting psychological flexibility, mindfulness, and value-driven behavior.
Research has shown how ACT, and by extension FACT, may be particularly effective in treating a range of mental health issues. Studies suggest that ACT's focus on mindfulness and acceptance strategies may lead to improvements in mental health, with benefits such as increased self-compassion, mindfulness, and improved interpersonal relationships. Furthermore, ACT has been found to have a positive impact on long-term recovery and prevention of relapse, crucial for sustainable mental health management.
Besides ACT, I encourage learning opportunities with evidence-based practices from Evidence-Based Practices Resource Center | SAMHSA. I learn the importance of adapting therapeutic approaches to specific needs with Adapting Evidence-Based Practices for Under-Resourced Populations (samhsa.gov):
...three EBPs: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). These EBPs were specifically selected, based on a thorough literature review and input from a technical expert panel (TEP) brought together for this guide. While research on EBP adaptations is limited, researchers have studied adaptations of these three practices more than for other EBPs (Appendix 2 provides background information on these EBPs, with accompanying information on the process of adaptation). The adaptation examples include a wide range of mental health and substance use outcomes in various populations. This guide is not limited to certain outcomes or populations; it provides practitioners with best practices they can use to adapt and implement non core components of an EBP for their client population. Adapting Evidence-Based Practices for Under-Resourced Populations (samhsa.gov)
Quasi-experimental designs focused on individual process mapping may help to establish meaningful causal therapeutic evidence.
Motivational Interviewing encourages empathy, identify discrepancies between goals, values and behavior. Cognitive Behavioral therapy encourages identifying causal patterns between action, thoughts and feelings. Dialectical Behavior Therapy encourages focus on improving causal patterns between feelings, actions and thoughts.
Resources
ACT vs. CBT: What’s the difference? | Psych Central
The efficacy of Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in VA primary care - PubMed
Psychotherapy for Children and Adolescents: Different Types (aacap.org)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Patients with a First Psychotic Episode
Mental Health Awareness Month : May is the time to raise awareness (invajy.com)
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (for Parents) | Nemours KidsHealth
At Any Skill Level, Making Art Reduces Stress Hormones (drexel.edu)
Therapy - Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (dbsalliance.org)
7 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Gratitude | Psychology Today
My Mental Health: Do I Need Help? (nc.gov)
SAMHSA Families Conversation Guide
