Stop struggling with difficult thoughts and feelings — and start building a life that truly matters to you. ACT combines mindfulness with values-based action to create lasting change.
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a modern, evidence-based form of psychotherapy that helps you relate to your thoughts and feelings differently — not by eliminating them, but by reducing their power over your actions.
Unlike traditional therapies that focus on changing or challenging negative thoughts, ACT encourages you to accept what cannot be controlled, defuse from unhelpful thinking patterns, and commit to behaviours aligned with your deepest values.
Developed by psychologist Steven Hayes, ACT is part of the third wave of behavioural therapies and is supported by extensive research across a wide range of mental health conditions.
ACT has strong research evidence for a broad range of psychological difficulties:
ACT builds psychological flexibility through six interconnected processes — the ability to live fully and act in line with your values:
Learning to allow uncomfortable thoughts, feelings, and sensations to exist without fighting them. Acceptance frees up energy to focus on what matters.
Creating distance from unhelpful thoughts so they lose their grip. You learn to observe thoughts rather than be controlled by them — “I notice I am having the thought that…”
Developing the ability to engage fully with the here and now, rather than being lost in worry about the future or rumination about the past.
Recognising that you are more than your thoughts and feelings — you are the consistent observer that exists across all your experiences.
Identifying what truly matters to you — your core values — to use as a compass for making decisions and choosing how to live.
Setting meaningful goals aligned with your values and taking concrete steps forward, even in the presence of difficult thoughts and feelings.
Accessing ACT therapy at The Talk Shop is affordable through a range of funding options:
Medicare Rebates
With a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from your GP, access Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year.
Private Health & Self-Funded
Private health extras may apply. Self-funded appointments welcome. View fee schedule
Available in-clinic and via Telehealth. Find your nearest location:
While CBT focuses on changing unhelpful thoughts, ACT encourages acceptance of those thoughts while committing to values-based action. Both are effective — your psychologist will help determine what suits you best.
Most people notice meaningful change within 8–12 sessions, though this varies. Your psychologist will set goals and review progress with you regularly.
No referral is needed to book directly. However, a GP referral with a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) allows you to access Medicare rebates.
Yes — ACT is adapted effectively for adolescents and is helpful for anxiety, depression, and behavioural challenges. Our adolescent psychology team has specific expertise in this area.
Absolutely. ACT has strong evidence for chronic pain and health-related anxiety, helping people live fully despite physical limitations.
ACT works well alongside or as an alternative to other therapies we offer:
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Our Melbourne psychologists are experienced in ACT and ready to support you. Sessions in-clinic and via Telehealth.
