Category: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

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Join the SUD Group: 1x per Week Transformative Online Support for WA and SC Residents

SUD Group

Since 2005, Charlton Hall, MMFT, PhD, has been at the forefront of evidence-based treatment for Substance Use Disorder (SUD). With over two decades of experience, Dr. Hall has combined traditional therapeutic methods with innovative approaches, creating a supportive and effective pathway for people seeking recovery. The Mindful Ecotherapy Center is excited to announce a new SUD Group for residents of Washington State and South Carolina, launching in May 2026.

Evidence-Based SUD Group Treatment

This upcoming online group provides a safe, structured space for participants to explore their recovery journey while connecting with others facing similar challenges. Dr. Hall integrates a variety of proven therapeutic approaches, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy. This combination allows participants not only to address the psychological and behavioral aspects of SUD but also to cultivate awareness, self-compassion, and resilience through nature-inspired mindfulness practices.

As a trained SMART Recovery facilitator, Dr. Hall brings a strengths-based, self-empowering approach to the SUD Group. His background includes serving as a Volunteer Advisor for South Carolina from 2011 to 2020, supporting local recovery communities and fostering peer-based engagement. This experience informs his online group facilitation, emphasizing accountability, peer support, and practical tools that participants can integrate into daily life.

Weekly SUD Group

The SUD Group will meet virtually, allowing residents of Washington State and South Carolina to participate without the constraints of geography. Sessions will provide structured discussions, guided mindfulness exercises, and actionable strategies for managing cravings, coping with triggers, and maintaining long-term recovery. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences, and learn from Dr. Hall’s expertise, all within a confidential and supportive environment.

Pre-Registration for the SUD Group Now Open!

Pre-registration for the group is now open. Limited to the first 20 participants, so register to save your spot today! Using the form below, interested participants can reserve a spot and receive updates about session schedules and materials. Early registration ensures access to all preparatory resources and allows participants to begin their recovery journey with confidence.

Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy forms a cornerstone of the SUD Group experience. By integrating movement, nature observation, and reflective exercises, participants cultivate present-moment awareness and emotional regulation skills that support sustainable recovery. This holistic approach complements traditional therapies like ACT, CBT, and DBT, creating a comprehensive model that addresses both mind and body.

Additional Resources on the Website and Our YouTube Channel

Dr. Hall’s commitment to the recovery community is further demonstrated through his work on digital platforms. For additional resources, educational videos, and guided exercises, the Mindful Ecotherapy Center’s YouTube channel offers a rich library of content designed to complement the SUD Group experience. Visit Mindful Ecotherapy Center YouTube to explore these resources, and check out the Mindful Ecotherapy Center website for more information on courses, workshops, and upcoming programs.

Whether you are in the early stages of recovery, seeking support for maintaining sobriety, or interested in learning tools to prevent relapse, the SUD Group provides a compassionate, evidence-based environment tailored to your needs. By participating, you are joining a community dedicated to personal growth, emotional resilience, and meaningful connections.

Don’t wait to take this important step. Pre-register today and begin your journey with the guidance and expertise of Charlton Hall, MMFT, PhD, and the Mindful Ecotherapy Center. Recovery is not a solitary path. You don’t have to do it alone! Our SUD Group ensures you are supported every step of the way.

Insurance Plans Accepted

We accept the following insurance plans. A listing here is not a guarantee of payment by your insurance carrier. Check with your particular policy requirements prior to enrolling.

Charlton Hall, MMFT, PhD, currently accepts the following insurances:

Private-pay options are also available on a sliding fee scale.

Pre-register for the SUD Group below and reserve your spot for May 2026.

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Optum Medicaid: Charlton Hall, MMFT, PhD is Now Accepting Optum!

Optum Medicaid

Charlton Hall, MMFT, PhD, is now accepting Optum Medicaid in Washington State.

That means if you have Optum Medicaid, you can access therapy at Mindful Ecotherapy Center, PLLC, without scrambling to figure out how to afford it. Mental health care should not be a luxury service for people with high-deductible plans and a credit card they’re willing to suffer over.

Access matters. And now, if you’re covered by Optum Medicaid, you have another solid option for thoughtful, evidence-based care.

But insurance coverage is only half the story. What actually happens in therapy?

What Therapy Is Like with Charlton Hall

Optum Medicaid Charlton Hall, MMFT, PhD

Therapy with Charlton is active, collaborative, and grounded in research-backed approaches.

Charlton integrates:

The goal is simple: help you build skills, increase clarity, and move toward a life that feels more aligned with who you actually are.

If you are using Optum Medicaid, you are getting structured, high-quality care.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT focuses on psychological flexibility. In practical terms, that means learning how to:

  • Make room for painful thoughts and emotions
  • Stop fighting your internal experience
  • Clarify your values
  • Take meaningful action even when anxiety or trauma shows up

Many people spend years trying to eliminate anxiety, erase trauma responses, or silence intrusive thoughts. ACT takes a different approach. Instead of getting stuck in an endless internal battle, you learn how to change your relationship to those thoughts and feelings.

You build a life that is bigger than your symptoms.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

If emotions feel overwhelming or relationships feel chaotic, DBT offers structure and tools.

DBT focuses on four core areas:

  • Mindfulness
  • Distress tolerance
  • Emotion regulation
  • Interpersonal effectiveness

You learn how to tolerate difficult emotions without self-destructive behavior. You learn how to set boundaries. You learn how to navigate conflict without imploding or exploding.

In therapy, these skills are practiced, not just discussed. Sessions often include concrete strategies you can apply immediately in real-world situations.

Whether you’re coming in through Optum Medicaid for anxiety, trauma, relationship stress, or mood instability, these skills are powerful and practical.

Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy

Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy integrates traditional psychotherapy with nature-based and embodied practices. Humans are not designed to live entirely indoors under fluorescent lighting and constant digital stimulation, even if modern life seems committed to that experiment.

Sessions may include:

  • Outdoor walk-and-talk therapy
  • Grounding exercises in natural environments
  • Sensory awareness practices
  • Nature-based metaphors for growth and resilience

For trauma survivors, reconnecting with the body and the natural world can support nervous system regulation in ways that purely cognitive approaches sometimes cannot.

Therapy is not just about thinking differently. It is also about experiencing safety differently.

Gender-Affirming Care

Charlton specializes in gender-affirming therapy. If you are transgender, nonbinary, gender-expansive, or questioning, therapy is not a space where your identity is debated or pathologized.

Instead, it is a space where:

  • Your identity is respected
  • Your lived experience is validated
  • Your goals are centered

Gender-diverse clients often face chronic stress related to discrimination, family conflict, medical systems, and social pressure. Therapy becomes a place of stability and affirmation rather than another place of scrutiny.

If you have Optum Medicaid and are looking for affirming care in Washington State, this coverage now makes that support more accessible.

Trauma-Informed and Solution-Focused

Trauma-informed care means prioritizing safety, collaboration, and empowerment. Trauma is understood as a nervous system response to overwhelming experiences, not a personal flaw.

At the same time, therapy does not have to be an endless excavation of the past. Solution-Focused Therapy brings attention to strengths and momentum. It asks:

  • When is the problem less intense?
  • What is already working?
  • What would progress look like in small, concrete steps?

You are not defined by your worst experiences. Therapy helps you build forward movement, even if that movement starts small.

What Clients Experience with Charlton Hall, MMFT, PhD

Clients often describe therapy with Charlton as:

  • Grounded and structured
  • Direct but compassionate
  • Skills-based and practical
  • Thoughtful and affirming

Sessions may include mindfulness practices, values clarification, behavioral experiments, and reflection on real-life situations. You will likely leave with something tangible to work on between sessions.

This is not therapy as a passive conversation. It is therapy as engaged growth through experiential exercises.

Expanding Access Through Optum Medicaid

The addition of Optum Medicaid means more individuals and families in Washington State can access consistent mental health care without the barrier of private-pay fees.

Early support prevents crises. Ongoing support builds resilience. Coverage through Optum Medicaid opens the door to therapy that is evidence-based, affirming, and oriented toward real-life change.

If you are covered by Optum Medicaid and seeking therapy that integrates ACT, DBT, Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy, gender-affirming care, trauma-informed practice, and solution-focused work, Charlton Hall, MMFT, PhD, is now accepting new clients through Mindful Ecotherapy Center, PLLC.

You do not have to wait until everything falls apart.

You can begin with where you are.

And from there, you build something stronger.

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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Worksheets

ACT Worksheets

About Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based behavioral therapy that helps people develop psychological flexibility, the ability to stay present, open up to difficult thoughts and feelings, and take meaningful action guided by their values.

Rather than trying to eliminate distress, ACT teaches skills like mindfulness, acceptance, and cognitive defusion to change one’s relationship with inner experiences. The goal isn’t to feel better all the time. It’s to live better, even when life is uncomfortable.

About ACT Worksheets

These Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) worksheets are designed to enhance psychological flexibility and support meaningful change. These resources help you to clarify personal values, defuse unhelpful thoughts, practice mindfulness, and take committed action toward a more fulfilling life.

These tools are ideal for therapists, coaches, or individuals seeking growth. Each worksheet is grounded in ACT’s core principles and easy to integrate into sessions or daily routines, and incorporates the principles of Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy.

ACT Worksheets

ABCD-ACT worksheet
ACT Hexaflex Monitor 06-21-12
FEAR to ACT
Leaves on a Stream ACT
Roots and Branches Self as Context ACT Worksheet
Understanding Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Values Compass in Nature
Weather and Willingness Log ACT Worksheet

These worksheets are provided for personal, educational, and clinical use. You are welcome to download, print, and share them with clients or students, provided that all copyright and attribution information remains intact and unaltered.

These materials may not be resold, redistributed for profit, or incorporated into commercial products, training, or publications without prior written permission from the copyright holder, Mindful Ecotherapy Center, PLLC.

All rights reserved. All ACT Worksheet materials ©2026 by the Mindful Ecotherapy Center, PLLC, and Charlton Hall, MMFT, PhD, unless otherwise noted.

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High-Functioning Anxiety: 7 Powerful Coping Strategies That Actually Help

high-functioning anxiety

High-functioning anxiety is one of the most misunderstood mental health experiences today. On the outside, people with high-functioning anxiety often appear successful, motivated, and “put together.” They meet deadlines, arrive early, achieve their goals, and consistently become the dependable ones others rely on. On the inside, however, the story is very different. There is often a constant undercurrent of worry, self-criticism, overthinking, and nervous energy that never truly shuts off.

At the Mindful Ecotherapy Center, Charlton Hall, MMFT, PhD, works with many individuals who outwardly appear to be thriving yet inwardly feel exhausted. High-functioning anxiety can quietly erode well-being, relationships, and joy, especially when it goes unrecognized or is dismissed as “just stress.” Mindfulness-based ecotherapy offers a grounded, compassionate approach to coping with high-functioning anxiety by addressing both the nervous system and the deeper patterns that keep anxiety running the show.

Below are seven practical, evidence-informed coping strategies for high-functioning anxiety, rooted in mindfulness-based ecotherapy and commonly integrated with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and solution-focused approaches.

1. Name High-Functioning Anxiety Without Judgment

One of the most powerful first steps is simply recognizing high-functioning anxiety for what it is. Many people minimize their anxiety because they are still “functioning.” Mindfulness invites noticing internal experiences without labeling them as failures. Instead of “Something is wrong with me,” the practice becomes, “I’m noticing anxiety showing up right now.” This subtle shift reduces shame and creates space for intentional responses rather than automatic ones.

2. Regulate the Nervous System Through Nature-Based Grounding

Mindfulness-based ecotherapy emphasizes the calming effect of intentional connection with the natural world. Even brief, regular exposure to nature can help regulate the nervous system. Walking outdoors, noticing the sensation of wind or sunlight, or grounding attention in natural sounds can interrupt the chronic hyperarousal common in high-functioning anxiety. Nature provides a steady, nonjudgmental presence that contrasts with the constant internal pressure many anxious high-achievers experience.

3. Practice Mindful Awareness of Productivity Traps

High-functioning anxiety often disguises itself as productivity. Constant busyness can feel necessary, even virtuous, while actually reinforcing anxiety. Mindfulness helps individuals notice when productivity becomes avoidance. By gently observing urges to overwork or overprepare, clients learn to pause and ask whether an action is values-driven or anxiety-driven. This awareness is essential for creating sustainable balance.

4. Externalize the Inner Critic

A relentless inner critic is a hallmark of high-functioning anxiety. Mindfulness-based ecotherapy encourages clients to observe critical thoughts rather than fusing with them. Visualizing the inner critic as a separate voice, rather than an absolute authority, can reduce its grip. This practice aligns with ACT principles, helping people choose actions based on values rather than fear-based narratives.

5. Use Values as an Anchor, Not Anxiety

Many people with high-functioning anxiety confuse fear with motivation. While anxiety can push achievement, it rarely leads to fulfillment. Clarifying personal values provides a healthier compass. Mindfulness-based ecotherapy supports values exploration through reflective practices, journaling, and nature-based metaphors. When actions align with values rather than anxiety, individuals often report greater satisfaction and less emotional exhaustion.

6. Build Tolerance for Stillness

Stillness can feel deeply uncomfortable for those with high-functioning anxiety. Silence and rest may allow anxious thoughts to surface more clearly. Mindfulness practice gradually builds tolerance for stillness, teaching the nervous system that pausing is not dangerous. Simple practices such as mindful breathing outdoors or brief body scans can help retrain the system to associate rest with safety rather than threat.

7. Replace Control With Compassionate Flexibility

High-functioning anxiety thrives on control. Mindfulness-based ecotherapy helps people with high-functioning anxiety to loosen rigid expectations by cultivating compassionate flexibility. This does not mean lowering standards or abandoning responsibility. Instead, it involves responding to challenges with curiosity and self-compassion rather than harsh self-judgment. Over time, this approach reduces burnout and supports emotional resilience.

Moving Forward With Support

High-functioning anxiety does not need to be eliminated to live a meaningful life. The goal is not to get rid of anxiety entirely, but to change your relationship with it. Mindfulness-based ecotherapy offers practical tools for reconnecting with the body, the natural world, and personal values in ways that support long-term well-being.

At the Mindful Ecotherapy Center, Charlton Hall, MMFT, PhD, provides teletherapy that integrates mindfulness-based ecotherapy with evidence-based approaches to help you navigate high-functioning anxiety with clarity, balance, and self-compassion.

Share Your Thoughts on High-Functioning Anxiety!

What do you think? Have you experienced high-functioning anxiety? Share your thoughts in the comments below! And don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter!

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Guest Vlog: 12 Skills of Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy

Guest vlog

Guest Vlog for Impact Continuing Education
Featuring Charlton Hall, MMFT, PhD — The 12 Skills of Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy

In this special guest vlog for Impact Continuing Education, Charlton Hall, MMFT, PhD, presents a clear, practical, and experience-based introduction to the 12 Skills of Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy. Drawing from his decades of clinical teaching and his work with the Mindful Ecotherapy Center, Hall offers a grounded walkthrough of how these twelve skills form a structured pathway for helping clients cultivate resilience, emotional regulation, and ecological awareness.

The video opens with an orientation to Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy (MBE): a nature-centered, experiential approach combining traditional mindfulness practices with ecopsychology. Hall explains how each of the 12 skills builds on the one before it, gradually moving clients from internal awareness to a deeper connection with the natural world.

Guest Vlog: The 12 Skills

Viewers learn in this guest vlog how the skills are organized into four core modules:

1. Mindfulness
Breathwork, present-moment attention, and learning to observe thoughts and emotions without judgment. Hall outlines how these practices are used to help clients ground themselves before progressing to more complex ecological skills.

2. Ecotherapy
Skills focused on reconnecting with the natural environment. Hall demonstrates how exercises like sensory awareness, grounding, and nature-based inquiry can reduce stress and help clients feel more anchored in their environment.

3. Reciprocity
This section explores the relationship between the self and the ecosystem. The skills encourage clients to recognize interdependence, develop a sense of stewardship, and begin integrating ecological mindfulness into daily life.

4. Radical Acceptance
Hall includes the acceptance-based skills that help clients work through suffering, change, and uncertainty. These practices teach participants how to respond rather than react, building emotional flexibility and long-term resilience.

Throughout the guest vlog, Hall shows how Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy supports a wide range of personality types, learning styles, and clinical needs. He also highlights how the approach blends cognitive insight with experiential learning, making it especially effective for educators, clinicians, and students seeking embodied therapeutic tools.

Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy in Your Own Office

Dr. Hall concludes the guest vlog with how you don’t have to have access to an outdoor space to incorporate mindfulness-based ecotherapy into your own office or practice.

For more information on Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy, training opportunities, or additional resources by Charlton Hall, visit the Mindful Ecotherapy Center at https://www.mindfulecotherapy.org

About Impact CE

This guest vlog by Charlton Hall, MMFT, PhD, was done in cooperation with Impact CE. Learn more about them at this link.

Our Values

We seek a mutually caring and respectful relationship with those who purchase courses, help develop courses, and partner with us. Although profit is necessary in order to continue to provide services, we value people and relationships ahead of today’s profits. We are keenly aware that we must earn a relationship of trust through integrity and a commitment to provide exceptional value that helps those we work with to help others.

Our Mission

Helping professionals is the cornerstone of our mission. We help by providing a great selection of quality, relevant, and affordable continuing education experiences along with exceptional service for practitioners. We seek to inspire the best…so that as professionals grow more in their knowledge and skills, they can do more for others.

Share Your Thoughts!

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Would you like Charlton Hall, MMFT, PhD, to do a guest video or post on your organization’s website? Would you like to schedule an interview with Dr. Hall? You may contact him here.

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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): A Mindful Approach to Psychological Flexibility

acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

People often struggle with negative thoughts, emotional distress, and a sense of being stuck in unhealthy patterns. Traditional therapy models focus on symptom reduction, but what if there were a different approach—one that helps us embrace our thoughts and emotions rather than fight against them?

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) offers a transformative method to achieve psychological well-being. Rooted in mindfulness and behavioral therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy encourages people to accept difficult emotions, commit to value-driven actions, and develop psychological flexibility.

Charlton Hall, MMFT, PhD, LMFT, has been practicing ACT since 2012, using this evidence-based approach to help clients break free from emotional avoidance and cultivate a meaningful life. In this post, we’ll explore what ACT is, how it works, and why it’s an effective approach to mental health and well-being.

What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?

Developed in the 1980s by psychologist Steven C. Hayes, ACT is a form of psychotherapy that integrates mindfulness, acceptance strategies, and behavioral change techniques. The goal of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is not to eliminate difficult emotions but to change the way individuals relate to them.

At its core, ACT is built on the principle of psychological flexibility, which refers to the ability to adapt to challenging thoughts and emotions while staying committed to personal values. Instead of getting trapped in cycles of avoidance or overidentification with negative experiences, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps individuals create space for their emotions and move forward with purpose.

The Six Core Processes of ACT

ACT is based on six interrelated psychological processes that foster acceptance, mindfulness, and value-based action:

1. Cognitive Defusion: Changing the Way You Relate to Thoughts

Instead of seeing thoughts as absolute truths, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy teaches cognitive defusion techniques to help individuals step back and observe their thoughts without being controlled by them. For example, rather than thinking, “I am a failure,” an ACT-based approach would be to reframe it as, “I am having the thought that I am a failure.” This small shift creates distance and reduces the emotional impact of negative thoughts.

2. Acceptance: Making Room for Emotions

Many people struggle with emotional avoidance, believing they must suppress or eliminate painful feelings. ACT encourages radical acceptance—allowing thoughts and emotions to exist without resistance. By accepting emotions rather than battling them, individuals reduce suffering and open themselves to growth.

3. Present-Moment Awareness: Practicing Mindfulness

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy emphasizes mindfulness, which is the practice of being fully present and engaged in the current moment. Rather than ruminating about the past or worrying about the future, mindfulness helps individuals stay grounded and connected to what is happening now. This awareness fosters greater emotional balance and resilience.

4. Self-as-Context: Understanding the Observer Self

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy differentiates between the “thinking self” and the “observing self.” While thoughts and emotions constantly change, the observing self remains steady. Recognizing this distinction helps individuals detach from negative self-judgments and recognize that they are more than their past experiences.

5. Values Clarification: Defining What Truly Matters

ACT helps individuals clarify their core values—the guiding principles that give life meaning. Whether it’s relationships, creativity, spirituality, or personal growth, identifying values provides a sense of direction and motivation for positive action.

6. Committed Action: Taking Steps Toward a Meaningful Life

The final step in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is committed action—taking concrete steps to live in alignment with one’s values. Even in the face of discomfort or fear, ACT encourages individuals to move forward, making choices that reflect what truly matters to them.

Why ACT is Effective

Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of ACT in treating a wide range of psychological issues, including:

  • Anxiety disorders
  • Depression
  • Chronic pain
  • PTSD
  • Substance use disorders
  • Stress and burnout

Unlike traditional cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which focuses on challenging negative thoughts, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy encourages individuals to change their relationship with those thoughts. This shift creates greater emotional flexibility and resilience.

Practical ACT Exercises to Try

If you want to incorporate ACT principles into your daily life, here are some practical exercises:

Leaves on a Stream (Cognitive Defusion)

Imagine sitting by a gently flowing stream. Picture placing each negative thought on a leaf and watching it float away. This exercise helps create distance from thoughts and reduces their emotional grip.

The Willingness Exercise (Acceptance)

Close your eyes and bring to mind a difficult emotion. Rather than pushing it away, say, “I am willing to feel this emotion if it means living a meaningful life.” Notice how this shifts your perspective.

Five Senses Mindfulness (Present-Moment Awareness)

Take a few minutes to engage with your environment using your five senses. What do you see, hear, feel, smell, and taste? This practice enhances present-moment awareness and reduces stress.

The Eulogy Exercise (Values Clarification)

Imagine your own eulogy being read at your funeral. What would you want people to say about you? This exercise helps clarify your core values and guides your decision-making.

Tiny Commitments (Committed Action)

Choose one small action that aligns with your values. It could be calling a loved one, writing a gratitude note, or practicing deep breathing. Taking small, meaningful steps builds momentum toward a fulfilling life.

Final Thoughts

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is a powerful tool for developing psychological flexibility, reducing emotional suffering, and leading a values-driven life. By learning to accept emotions, detach from negative thoughts, and take committed action, individuals can cultivate resilience and well-being.

Whether you are struggling with anxiety, stress, or simply seeking a more meaningful life, ACT offers a proven framework for transformation.

Are you interested in learning more about ACT? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Share Your Thoughts!

Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!

Don’t forget to check out our YouTube channel for more information and content!

Schedule a Teletherapy Appointment with Charlton Hall, MMFT, PhD, LMFT

For those seeking personalized guidance in incorporating Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy into their lives, Charlton Hall, MMFT, PhD, LMFT, offers professional teletherapy sessions. With extensive expertise in MBE, Dr. Hall provides tailored strategies to help individuals overcome insomnia and achieve restorative sleep.

How to Schedule an Appointment:

  1. Visit the Mindful Ecotherapy Center Website to find more information about Dr. Hall’s approach to sleep wellness and mindfulness-based therapies.
  2. Book a Consultation – Easily schedule a teletherapy session that fits your availability.
  3. Receive Expert Guidance – Work one-on-one with Dr. Hall to develop a personalized sleep-improvement plan using MBE techniques.

By integrating Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy into your daily routine, you can naturally enhance your sleep quality, reduce stress, and achieve long-term wellness.

Schedule an Appointment Today!

Ready to take the next step? Schedule a session with Charlton Hall today and start your journey to better sleep through the healing power of nature.

Schedule an Appointment

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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) was developed as a method of introducing the techniques of mindfulness into psychotherapy. ACT is based on Relational Frame Theory (RFT), which is a theoretical framework developed by Steven Hayes of the University of Nevada. RFT is a way of looking at how language influences behavior, and how behavior influences language. A corollary to RTF is that a large part of our reality, our world of experience, is constructed by the language we use and how we relate that language to the real world. This would mean that a lot of the things that cause us anxiety, stress, depression, and other unpleasant thoughts and feelings are the result of how we use language to interpret our world.

Goals of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

While Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) concentrates on teaching people how to better control their thoughts and feelings, ACT focuses on teaching people how to acknowledge and accept their internal dialogue without feeling overwhelmed by those thoughts and feelings. It teaches the student/practitioner to be in the moment with those feelings and thoughts, without having to identify with them. This applies to unwanted thoughts and feelings as well. By seeing these as processes of the mind, acceptance increases.

One of the goals of ACT is to get in touch with what Buddhists call true self. The true self is that internal observer who is watching these processes without becoming engaged in them. True self helps in the process of externalization; i.e., of seeing the problem as separate from the identity and sense of self. By establishing this boundary between true self and thoughts/feelings as processes, the practitioner is better able to identify and clarify his/her values, and to commit to them. This then brings more meaning to the life of the individual.

Conquering FEAR with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

One of the core concepts of ACT is that psychological processes can often be self-destructive. For example, experiential avoidance can lead to suffering. If a person has social anxiety and avoids contact with other humans, this can lead to a lack of social support, important relationships, and friendships. This isolation, in turn, leads to suffering. Or if a victim of PTSD avoids places and behaviors that remind her of the place where the trauma occurred, her life choices have been limited. This limitation can also lead to suffering.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) uses the FEAR acronym to explain and identify such problems with experiential avoidance and cognitive entanglement. FEAR is as follows:

  1. Fusion with your thoughts
  2. Evaluation of experience
  3. Avoidance of your experience
  4. Reason giving for your behavior

The antidote to the FEAR response is the ACT response, which is:

  1. Accept your reactions and be present
  2. Choose a valued direction
  3. Take action

Six Core Principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

The goal of ACT is to develop psychological flexibility. This is achieved through the implementation of six core principles of ACT:

  1. Cognitive defusion: Learning to perceive thoughts, images, emotions, and memories as what they are, not what they appear to be.
  2. Acceptance: Allowing them to come and go without struggling with them.
  3. Contact with the present moment: Awareness of the here and now, experienced with openness, interest, and receptiveness.
  4. Observing the self: Accessing a transcendent sense of self, a continuity of consciousness which is changing.
  5. Values: Discovering what is most important to one’s true self.
  6. Committed action: Setting goals according to values and carrying them out responsibly.

Since its development, ACT has been evaluated in nearly 100 different studies. All of these studies show that it is a highly effective method of achieving stress and anxiety reduction for a wide variety of disorders.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy pairs beautifully with Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy (MBE), especially when practiced outdoors. Nature naturally invites mindfulness, acceptance, and awe…all qualities central to ACT. Practicing ACT in green spaces, for example, can enhance emotional regulation and deepen values-based exploration.

Sitting under a tree while practicing cognitive defusion or walking a trail while reflecting on core values can make ACT more embodied, calming, and effective.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Final Thoughts

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is not about fixing what’s “wrong” with you—it’s about learning how to live fully and authentically in the presence of life’s messiness. It invites you to stop struggling against the tide of your thoughts and emotions and instead build a rich, values-driven life, one mindful step at a time.

Whether you’re coping with anxiety, depression, chronic stress, or just looking to live with more meaning, ACT offers a practical, empowering roadmap toward emotional well-being.

References

Hayes, S. C., Luoma, J. B., Bond, F. W., Masuda, A., & Lillis, J. (2006). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: Model, processes and outcomes. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 44(1), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2005.06.006

Hayes, S.C, Strosahl, K.D., & Wilson, K.G. (2012). Acceptance and commitment therapy: The process and practice of mindful change (2nd edition). New York, NY: The Guilford Press.

Kashdan, T. B., & Rottenberg, J. (2010). Psychological flexibility as a fundamental aspect of health. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(7), 865–878. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2010.03.001

Zettle, R. D., & Hayes, S. C. (1986). Dysfunctional control by client verbal behavior: The context of reason-giving. The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, 4, 30–38. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03392967