ACT Cheat Sheet for Therapists — Six Core Processes at a Glance

ACT does not aim to reduce difficult thoughts and feelings. It aims to change the client’s relationship to them so they stop running the show. This reference gives you the clinical map for each of the six processes and how to identify which one needs attention.

What is in this cheat sheet

The Hexaflex at a glance — the six core processes (acceptance, defusion, present moment awareness, self-as-context, values, committed action) and how they relate to psychological flexibility.

Acceptance — distinguishing acceptance from tolerance or resignation. Clinical signals that a client is in experiential avoidance, and how to invite willingness rather than pushing for it.

Defusion — the difference between fused and defused thinking in session, and clinical techniques for creating distance between the client and the content of their thoughts.

Present moment awareness — how to bring clients into contact with now, and the difference between mindful presence as clinical skill and mindfulness as another thing to do perfectly.

Self-as-context — the observer self, how to introduce it, and why it is particularly useful for clients with rigid self-stories or shame-based identities.

Values clarification — the difference between values and goals, how to help clients identify what actually matters rather than what they think should matter, and what to do when values conflict.

Committed action — building behavior patterns consistent with values, working with the avoidance that blocks them, and how to hold setbacks within the ACT framework.

Quick diagnostic: which process is stuck? — clinical signals for each process that tell you where to focus.

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