How Canadian Therapists Are Using ACT to Promote Resilience in 2024

In 2024, resilience is more important than ever. As individuals across Canada face the ongoing challenges of post-pandemic stress, economic uncertainty, and personal struggles, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can be a modality in therapy that helps clients build resilience and embrace life’s challenges with more acceptance and mental flexibility. ACT, a third-wave cognitive-behavioural therapy, focuses on helping individuals accept their difficult thoughts and feelings rather than trying to avoid or fight them.

This blog post explores how Canadian therapists are using ACT to foster resilience in their clients and why this therapeutic modality is particularly effective in 2024.

What Is ACT?

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of psychotherapy that combines mindfulness and behavioral change strategies to promote psychological flexibility. Unlike traditional therapies that focus on symptom reduction, ACT emphasizes helping clients accept their feelings and thoughts while committing to actions that align with their personal values.

ACT consists of six core processes:

1. Acceptance: Accepting unpleasant thoughts, feelings, and sensations without trying to avoid them.

2. Cognitive Defusion: Learning to observe thoughts as they are, rather than taking them literally or letting them dictate behaviour.

3. Being Present: Staying grounded in the present moment, aware of both internal and external experiences.

4. Self as Context: Understanding that the self is more than just one’s thoughts or emotions, creating distance between the self and fleeting feelings and thoughts.

5. Values: Clarifying what truly matters in life, helping individuals focus on what gives their life purpose.

6. Committed Action: Taking concrete steps to live according to these values, even when difficult thoughts or emotions arise. Focusing on how they choose to respond to circumstances. By making a commitment that what is in their control will be done in a way that aligns with their values, the client can experience increased agency over their life.

Why Resilience Is Crucial in 2024

Resilience, or the ability to rise from adversity, is a skill that has become increasingly valuable. Canadians are navigating unprecedented stressors—workplace changes, financial uncertainty, climate-related anxiety, and the residual emotional toll of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a 2022 survey by CAMH, one-third of Canadians reported significant increases in mental health struggles during the pandemic. While these numbers reflect the growing mental health crisis, they also emphasize the need for effective, research-backed therapeutic interventions like ACT to help people regain control and improve their mental resilience.

How ACT Builds Resilience

Resilience is not about avoiding or overcoming negative emotions but learning how to endure them in a healthy way. This is where ACT comes in. By fostering acceptance and commitment to meaningful actions, ACT helps clients build resilience in several ways:

1. Acceptance of Negative Emotions

One of the key principles of ACT is learning to accept uncomfortable emotions rather than trying to suppress or avoid them. This acceptance builds resilience by helping individuals understand that negative emotions are a part of life and don’t have to derail their progress. It also reduces the energy spent on battling internal conflicts, freeing up mental space to focus on personal growth and resilience.

2. Focusing on Values

ACT encourages clients to clarify their personal values and commit to living according to them, no matter the challenges they face. When individuals focus on what truly matters to them, they are better equipped to stay the course during difficult times. By aligning their actions with their values, clients create a sense of purpose and meaning, which is essential for building resilience.

3. Building Psychological Flexibility

Psychological flexibility—the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and challenges—is a core component of resilience. ACT teaches clients to become more psychologically flexible by detaching from their thoughts and emotions. Rather than seeing anxiety or fear as barriers, clients learn to view them as experiences they can manage, allowing for greater adaptability and endurance in tough situations.

Real-World Application of ACT in Canadian Therapy

Therapists across Canada are using ACT to help clients face a variety of challenges, from workplace stress to relationship difficulties and chronic illness. ACT is also particularly effective for individuals dealing with anxiety and depression, conditions that can significantly impact a person’s resilience.

For instance, a 2023 study from McGill University found that 78% of individuals receiving ACT for generalized anxiety disorder reported improvements in their ability to cope with stress and anxiety, with many participants noting a significant increase in their sense of emotional well-being and resilience.

Canadian therapists are applying ACT in both in-person and teletherapy formats, making it more accessible than ever, especially for those in remote or underserved areas. Teletherapy has proven particularly beneficial during the pandemic and beyond, as more Canadians are seeking mental health care from the comfort of their own homes.

The Benefits of ACT for Different Populations

ACT for Adults: Many adults in Canada struggle with workplace stress, family obligations, or managing chronic illnesses. ACT helps them find meaning in their lives, even amid these struggles, and fosters resilience by teaching them to accept the uncontrollable aspects of life while focusing on values-driven actions.

ACT for Teens and Young Adults: Younger generations, particularly those immersed in social media, often face identity issues, peer pressure, and uncertainty about the future. ACT encourages them to develop resilience by focusing on who they want to be rather than what others expect. This value-based approach helps teens and young adults stay grounded in their personal goals and become more emotionally adaptable.

How ACT Can Help Marginalized Communities Build Resilience

Resilience is particularly important for marginalized communities in Canada, including Indigenous, Black, and low-income populations, who often face systemic barriers to mental health care and greater exposure to trauma. Research indicates that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can be culturally adapted to address the specific needs of marginalized populations. By emphasizing mindfulness, present-moment awareness, and a values-driven approach, ACT fosters psychological flexibility, helping individuals in these communities build resilience even when faced with systemic challenges.

ACT’s Relevance in 2024 and Beyond

As mental health challenges continue to evolve in 2024, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy will remain a key therapeutic tool in promoting resilience across various populations. Its emphasis on psychological flexibility, values, and acceptance makes it well-suited to address modern stressors, including economic uncertainty, job-related pressures, and personal struggles.

The therapy's focus on living meaningfully despite life's challenges resonates deeply with Canadians, particularly in a time when uncertainty is a constant companion. By embracing difficult emotions and committing to personal values, ACT empowers individuals to move forward with resilience, regardless of external circumstances.

In Closing

In 2024, resilience is a crucial quality for Canadians facing personal, societal, and global challenges. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy offers a unique approach to building that resilience by encouraging individuals to accept their emotions and thoughts without judgment while focusing on meaningful actions aligned with their values.

ACT’s ability to promote psychological flexibility and emotional well-being makes it a powerful tool for therapists working with clients from diverse backgrounds and communities. As the world continues to change, ACT provides a roadmap for building resilience, making it a highly relevant therapeutic approach in today’s mental health landscape.