ACT Counselling Surrey | Forward Mind Counselling

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy at Forward Mind Counselling

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people move forward by teaching skills to accept difficult thoughts and feelings, while staying focused on what truly matters to them. At Forward Mind Counselling, we provide ACT in Surrey for individuals who want to break free from unhelpful patterns, improve mental flexibility, and create a life that aligns with their values.

ACT is particularly beneficial if you feel trapped in worry, avoidance, or self-criticism, and you seek practical tools to face challenges with greater resilience.

What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy?

ACT is based on the idea that struggling with negative thoughts and emotions is part of being human, but fighting them often makes things worse. Instead of eliminating uncomfortable experiences, ACT helps you accept them without judgment and commit to actions that reflect your personal goals and values.

The goal isn’t to “think positive” or control every thought, but to develop skills that allow you to respond flexibly to life’s challenges while moving toward the life you want.

How ACT Works

ACT is an active, skills-based therapy. With your therapist, you’ll practice techniques such as:

Mindfulness – learning to observe thoughts and emotions without becoming overwhelmed
Defusion – noticing unhelpful thoughts without letting them control your behaviour
Values Exploration – clarifying what’s most important to you and using those values to guide decisions

Committed Action – taking small, practical steps toward goals, even when discomfort is present
Acceptance Skills – making room for difficult feelings instead of avoiding them

These tools are designed for everyday situations, helping you build psychological flexibility and resilience.

What ACT Can Help With

ACT is versatile and effective across a wide range of challenges. At Forward Mind Counselling, we use ACT to support clients with:

Anxiety and Worry

Learning to step back from racing thoughts and focus on what you can control allows you to break free from the grip of overwhelming emotions and cultivate a sense of calm and clarity in challenging moments.

Depression

Increasing motivation by reconnecting with values and purposeful action helps reignite a sense of meaning and direction, empowering you to take small, meaningful steps toward rediscovering joy and fulfillment.

Stress Management

Handling work, school, or family pressures without avoidance involves developing healthy coping strategies and proactive problem-solving skills to prevent stress from becoming unmanageable.

Trauma Recovery

Reducing the hold of painful memories by creating space for healing enables you to process past experiences in a safe and supportive way, fostering resilience and personal growth over time.

Chronic Pain or Illness

Living meaningfully even in the presence of ongoing difficulties means finding ways to adapt and thrive despite physical limitations, focusing on what brings value and connection to your life.

Self-Esteem Issues

Separating identity from negative self-talk and building confidence involves challenging distorted beliefs about yourself and embracing your inherent worth through self-compassion and intentional self-care practices.

What to Expect in ACT at Forward Mind Counselling

Your first sessions focus on identifying the patterns keeping you stuck and clarifying your values. From there, your counsellor will guide you through mindfulness and acceptance strategies while supporting you in taking small, meaningful steps toward your goals.

ACT is practical and adaptable. You’ll leave sessions with tools you can practice right away, and together, you and your therapist will track progress and refine strategies as needed.

Getting Started with ACT

ACT provides a practical way to create change without needing to eliminate every difficult thought or feeling. Over time, many people find they feel less controlled by stress and more empowered to live according to their values.

If you’re ready to begin, contact Forward Mind Counseling to book an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy session in Surrey. We offer both in-person and online appointments.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Surrey