A main assumption of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is that pain is a normal and unavoidable part of being human, and that it is perfectly healthy to have whatever emotions arise in the presence of painful experiences. However, people’s understandable desire to control or avoid their own thoughts and feelings can actually lead to much long-term and unnecessary suffering. For example, a person may develop short-term means for coping with their emotions – such as social withdrawal, substance use, or overeating – that actually end up causing even more suffering in the long term. Worse yet, time spent struggling with thoughts and feelings is time away from the things that matter most in life. Put simply, our treatment revolves around letting go of the struggle with difficult thoughts and feelings in order to pursue a richer, fuller, and more purposeful life. We help clients develop self-compassion and awareness skills allowing a flexible response to painful thoughts and emotions. With a more open relationship to experience, clients can reach beyond suffering and depression to a larger sense of purpose in their lives. As counselling progresses, we assist clients in clarifying their values and help them to take action in meaningful ways. Through our expertise, we can help you learn to let go of the struggle with pain, be more mindful, get clarity on what really matters to you, and commit to living a full, vibrant, and more satisfying life.
