ACT, or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, is a therapy approach that helps you become more psychologically flexible. Imagine your mind is a muscle – the more flexible it is, the better you can handle whatever life throws your way. Here's how ACT works: Making peace with your thoughts and feelings: Instead of fighting them, ACT helps you accept them as they are. It's like learning to surf the waves of your emotions instead of getting wiped out by them. Living by your values: What truly matters to you in life? ACT helps you identify your core values and take action towards living a life that reflects them. It's about aligning your actions with what brings meaning to you. Being present in the moment: ACT teaches mindfulness skills to help you stay focused on the here and now, rather than getting hung up on the past or worried about the future. The result? You can manage difficult situations more effectively, build healthier habits, and live a more fulfilling life, even when things get tough.

ACT - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

How can ACT help you?

Break free from struggles and embrace inner balance

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) empowers you to embrace change and overcome life’s obstacles. Unlike merely managing symptoms, ACT equips you with practical skills to navigate your thoughts and emotions effectively. By fostering acceptance and commitment, ACT helps you thrive in the face of challenges.

Are you struggling with overwhelming emotions, negative thoughts, or unhelpful behavior patterns?
Do you seek deeper connections in your relationships and improved coping skills for stress?
Are you interested in developing greater self-awareness, mindfulness, and alignment with your values?
Are you open to exploring new approaches to personal growth and well-being and ready to commit to the process of change?

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) will help you:

Embrace Emotional Balance: Regulate emotions, reduce impulsivity, and foster stability.
Strengthen Relationships: Enhance interpersonal skills for deeper connections.
Conquer Life’s Challenges: Build resilience to navigate tough situations.
Embrace Present-Moment Living: Cultivate mindfulness for clarity and well-being.

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How have we helped?

Here are some experiences shared by our clients

I began working with Faith Ferber when my previous counselor identified that I needed a trauma-informed approach, and the work has been incredible. Faith has helped me get more grounded in my body, to make connections between physical ailments and emotional patterns that I'd never understood, and perhaps most importantly, to understand myself in deeper and core ways. Faith brings a special combination of practices -- including brainspotting and internal family systems IFS) -- and deep commitments to justice -- which have been critical for sorting through the always-complicated mix of personal and collective matters. I highly recommend working with Faith!

Beth - Individual Psychotherapy

Sonja Favaloro was wonderful. Our work together allowed me to experience deep, impactful healing. I would recommend her and the Viva Center to anyone.

E.W. - Individual Therapy

After two decades in and out of therapy, and on and off of drugs, I didn't believe in solutions. I believed in management. Aurena and Viva revealed to me that actual healing is still possible. For the right person, this these treatment modalities (EMDR and IFS) can feel miraculous in its their outcome, even as it they seem somewhat mystical in its their mechanisms. I feel unburdened. For now, I feel happy on a consistent basis -- unmediated by drugs, flow or hypomania -- for the first time in memory. It's improved my parenting, my thinking, my work, and my ability to be a partner to my wife. It may not, in the end, solve all my problems. Time will tell. But it solved one big one and made the others feel more manageable. Thanks to Viva and Aurena!

Anonymous - Individual Therapy

The process I went through with Viva Partnership was really something. I came here in a serious crisis. Through the individual and group support I received, I gradually shifted my outlook. This in turn changed how I experienced my life and relationships. Viva created a safe space where I got to heal and grow.

J - Individual and Group Psychotherapy

My experience at the Viva Center was extraordinary. I saw a therapist there for almost 2 years, who walked me through EMDR twice. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and thought that it was well run. I never encountered any issues, but if I had, I know that the staff would have addressed them immediately. I would not hesitate to reach out to their wonderful team of therapists for treatment.

A - Individual and Group Psychotherapy

My life was going at a fairly even pace but something was always missing. I felt like I had been groomed to do all the "right" things, but they weren't my things. I went through a significant transformation where I learned how to tolerate bigger risks. As a result, I am living the life that is right for me. I am so grateful that I found Viva!

L - Individual and Group Psychotherapy

An absolutely wonderful...center staffed with amazingly caring and involved people. Viva Center offers classes in wellness related to business, finances, relationships, and of course personal growth and mental health. The staff are committed to maintaining an unhurried, refuge-like atmosphere and every aspect of the Viva Center reflects this intention...the Viva Center is an amazing space to explore every aspect of your soul and being. I love the work they are doing here!

You know the saying...be the person your dog thinks you are? This place helps you do just that. AWESOME.

S - Individual Psychotherapy

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What is ACT?

Provides the tools to live with greater freedom

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of psychotherapy that helps individuals healthily manage difficult thoughts and emotions.

ACT focuses on accepting your experiences, both positive and negative, without judgment. It also emphasizes the importance of living a life guided by your values and taking committed actions to achieve your goals.

In short, ACT equips you with the tools to navigate life’s challenges with greater acceptance and move forward by taking action toward what truly matters to you.

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Want to know more?

Here are some more frequently asked questions

What does ACT work?

ACT, or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, is a therapy approach that helps you become more psychologically flexible. Imagine your mind is a muscle – the more flexible it is, the better you can handle whatever life throws your way.

Here’s how ACT works:

Making peace with your thoughts and feelings: Instead of fighting them, ACT helps you accept them as they are. It’s like learning to surf the waves of your emotions instead of getting wiped out by them.
Living by your values: What truly matters to you in life? ACT helps you identify your core values and take action towards living a life that reflects them. It’s about aligning your actions with what brings meaning to you.
Being present in the moment: ACT teaches mindfulness skills to help you stay focused on the here and now, rather than getting hung up on the past or worried about the future.

The result? You can manage difficult situations more effectively, build healthier habits, and live a more fulfilling life, even when things get tough.

What does ACT treat?

Though we don’t use labels at Viva, this form of talk therapy is effective at treating challenges you may know as depression, anxiety, bodily disorders, phobias, eating disorders, relationship challenges, personality disorders, and more.

What research supports ACT?

Research consistently supports the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) across various mental health concerns. ACT helps individuals by fostering psychological flexibility, mindfulness, acceptance, and values-driven action. It has been found beneficial for treating anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use disorders, chronic pain, eating disorders, stress-related conditions, burnout, and relationship difficulties. ACT encourages individuals to accept their thoughts and feelings without judgment while aligning their actions with their values, leading to improved well-being and resilience.

What are Behavioral Therapies?

Behavioral therapies are a toolbox for learning new habits. They’re based on the idea that most behaviors are learned, and if you learned them, you can learn something new. These therapies help you identify patterns in your behavior and the situations that trigger them. Then, you work with a therapist to develop new skills and responses that are more helpful.

There are many different techniques used in behavioral therapy, but some common goals include:

Reducing unhealthy behaviors (like procrastination or avoidance)
Building helpful skills (like communication or relaxation techniques)
Increasing positive behaviors (like spending time with loved ones or saying no to unhealthy choices)

Viva clinicians are trained to offer behavioral therapies such as CBT, DBT, and ACT.

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