Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in Arvada

Moving Forward With What You Carry

When you are hurting, the natural instinct is to push the pain away or wait until you “feel better” to start living again. But at 70 West Counseling, we focus on moving forward with what you carry. Our specialized ACT therapy in Arvada is a compassionate approach designed to help you find purpose and make space for your grief and anxiety without letting them dictate your choices.

Fighting your feelings often creates more suffering, so instead, we help you pick up the things that matter to you—your values—and start walking forward, even if your hands are heavy. You don’t have to wage war against your own inner experience to live a rich and meaningful life. By shifting from resistance to willingness, you regain the freedom to be present in the moment and build the future you deserve.

How Does ACT Therapy Work?

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) teaches you to stop fighting a war against your own thoughts and feelings.

Instead of trying to “fix” or eliminate your pain (which often isn’t possible with deep grief or trauma), ACT helps you develop psychological flexibility. This means learning to stay present with difficult emotions without being overwhelmed by them, so you can focus your energy on what truly matters: living a life you value.

The 6 Core Processes of Psychological Flexibility

• Acceptance: Making room for unwanted experiences rather than fighting them.
• Cognitive Defusion: Stepping back from spiraling thoughts so they have less power over you.
• Contact with the Present Moment: Gently connecting with the here and now.
• Self-as-Context: Recognizing that you are more than just your pain or your trauma.
• Values: Clarifying what is most important to you deep in your heart.
• Committed Action: Taking small steps toward those values, even when it is hard.

Why ACT Is Effective: The Evidence

ACT is a “third-wave” behavioral therapy with a robust and growing body of research. It is recognized by the American Psychological Association (APA) as an empirically supported treatment.

The science is based on Relational Frame Theory (RFT). Scientific studies show that ACT effectively increases Psychological Flexibility, which allows people to live fulfilling lives even in the presence of chronic pain, depression, or significant loss.

Who Can Benefit from ACT in Arvada?

• Grief & Complicated Loss
• Chronic Pain & Illness
• Anxiety & Panic Disorders
• Depression
• Workplace Stress & Burnout
• Life Transitions