Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT Therapy in Houston, TX
Find relief from anxiety, constant worrying, and more with the support of a licensed ACT therapist
Stop running from difficult emotions — and start living the life you actually want. Our ACT-trained therapists work with kids, teens, and adults in Houston and online across 42 states.Get relief from anxiety, constant worrying, and more — backed by one of the most extensively researched therapies available. Our ACT-trained therapists work with kids, teens, and adults in Houston and online across 42 states.
In-person & virtual ACT therapy sessions available
Welcoming children, teens, and adults
Evidence-based treatment for reliable results
Is ACT therapy right for you?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, is built on a simple but counterintuitive idea: that trying to push away or suppress negative thoughts and feelings usually makes them stronger. Instead of fighting your anxiety, ACT teaches you to acknowledge it, accept it, and act in line with what matters most to you anyway.
Here's what that looks like in practice. Say you're leading an important project at work. You want to do a great job — but the pressure is high, so you keep putting it off. Two weeks pass. Now you have two days left, a tighter deadline, and a layer of shame about the procrastination on top of the original anxiety. Avoidance made it worse.
ACT interrupts that cycle at the source. With support from an experienced ACT therapist, you learn to notice the anxiety, sit with it without letting it steer, and take action toward what you actually value — in this case, doing good work.
While powerful, ACT isn't for everyone. Here's how to know if ACT could work for you:
ACT may not be best for you if…
- You are dealing with a serious diagnosis like bipolar disorder
- You want to dive deep into understanding your past, rather than focusing on the present
- You are not willing to practice mindfulness outside of sessions (it can feel uncomfortable a first and that’s completely normal)
ACT might be a great option if…
- You notice a tendency to avoid emotional discomfort or hard situations
- You prefer to focus on your present experience, rather than exploring your past
- You are open to incorporating mindfulness practices into your life
What is ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)?
ACT is one of the most well-researched therapeutic approaches available, with decades of clinical evidence supporting its effectiveness for anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, and more.
The Core Idea
Trying to suppress or escape difficult emotions usually makes them louder. ACT works by helping you change your relationship to those thoughts and feelings — accepting them as part of your experience rather than threats to be eliminated — so you can move toward the life you actually want.
At Houston Anxiety and Wellness Center, we use ACT because it gives clients practical, lasting tools. It helps people stop white-knuckling their way through anxiety and start building a life that feels meaningful — even when hard feelings show up along the way.
What can ACT therapy help with?
Our ACT-trained therapists work with children, teens, and adults navigating:
- Anxiety disorders (generalized, social, health anxiety, and more)
- OCD
- Panic disorder
- Depression
- Perfectionism and self-criticism
- Chronic stress
- Eating disorders
- Chronic pain or illness
- And more
How does ACT therapy work?
Every client’s path looks a little different, but most ACT therapy follows a similar arc.
Clarify your values & commit to action
We'll explore what truly matters to you and identify meaningful goals. Then, we'll develop strategies to help you take action toward these goals, even when dealing with difficult thoughts and feelings.
Cultivate mindfulness & acceptance
Through mindfulness exercises and ACT techniques, you'll learn to be present with your inner experiences. We'll work on embracing all aspects of your life, including the challenging parts.
Track & maintain progress
We'll regularly review your progress towards living a values-aligned life. As you develop better psychological flexibility, we'll work on strategies to maintain your progress and handle future challenges.
Convenient Appointment Options
In-Person Appointments
Our Montrose office provides a warm, welcoming space for anxiety, OCD, and eating disorder treatment. Convenient on-site parking available.
Telehealth Appointments
Therapy from wherever you’re most comfortable. Our psychologists are PsyPact certified and can see clients in 42 states.
Personalized Care Without Restrictions
We’re a private pay, out-of-network practice — which means your care is guided by your needs, not insurance rules. We provide superbills so you can seek reimbursement directly from your provider.
Learn more about our fees and approachBook your first session with an ACT therapist
If ACT sounds like it could be the right fit, we’d love to connect you with one of our therapists. Fill out our quick questionnaire and we’ll match you with an ACT-trained therapist based on what you’re working through — in Houston or online.
