ACC coaching is based on the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT is a psychotherapeutic approach that uses values, mindfulness and acceptance as well as a focus on committed, values-based action to help us make the changes we want in our lives.
ACT is widely used in clinical settings and there is extensive research showing its effectiveness across a range of issues including depression, anxiety, addiction and chronic pain. There is now also growing evidence of its effectiveness in non-clinical settings including workplaces and schools.
I first experienced ACT when leading a team in a youth charity successfully using ACT-based interventions to support care-experienced young people to access and sustain education and employment[1]. Not only did ACT inform our work with young people, but we were also trained to use ACT-informed approaches in how we communicated and worked as a team, and how we supported and supervised our colleagues. We were trained and supported by the marvellous Louise Hayes with additional training on using ACT in leadership, supervision and for wellbeing in the workplace with https://contextualconsulting.co.uk/ . This programme achieves great outcomes for young people and using ACT also hugely benefitted how we operated as a team, and our own wellbeing and agency. I have continued to develop my understanding and ACT-related skills and it underpins my coaching approach.
What’s different about ACC/ACT?
ACT overturns the common myth that happiness is the natural state of human beings, and the notion that if I’m not feeling good, there must be something wrong with me.
Instead, ACT suggests that the uncomfortable, unwanted thoughts and feelings are an inevitable part of life; that a life that is fully lived, rich, fun and fulfilling will necessarily involve exposing ourselves to this difficult stuff.
In ACC coaching we don’t view the presence of unwelcome thoughts and feelings as problematic, instead it’s the way we respond to them that causes us problems. What keeps us stuck is often the impulse to push away those thoughts and emotions; to deny them, struggle with them or avoid situations in which they might be evoked. In ACC, instead of struggling with unwanted thoughts and feelings, we aim to develop ‘psychological flexibility’. This is the ability to fully connect with the present moment, be open to our experiences, make choices about how we behave and take action in line with what matters most to us (our values).
How I use ACC in my coaching
My assumption is that none of us are broken or in need of fixing, but we may be struggling with the way that we human beings tend to respond to our thoughts and emotional experiences.
When I use ACC in coaching, I’ll encourage you to acknowledge the thoughts and feelings that are showing up for you that might be keeping you stuck. We’ll consider these thoughts and feelings as entirely normal and healthy; we won’t challenge or argue with them, or struggle with them to make them go away. Instead, I’ll help you to practice techniques to enable you to make space for them, accept and unhook from them, freeing yourself to focus on how you want to be and what you most value.
We are likely to practice mindful approaches, with the aim of developing your ability to be present in the moment. This will help you to stop struggling with unwelcome thoughts and feelings (i.e. to accept them) as well as giving you the agency to have more choice over your behaviours and regulate your emotional responses.
We will work together to clarify what matters most to you and your set of values. You’ll use your values as a guide to help you to make decisions about what you want from life and how you want to be, with yourself and in your relationships. You might take away exercises to practice focusing on your values throughout your day, to bring you back to what is most meaningful to you.
You’ll identify goals and actions that are informed by your values. This will help you to stay motivated and follow through on the actions you identify because they are consistent with what matters most to you.
[1] The Reboot West project run by 1625ip in Bristol and in 2023 subject to a randomised-controlled trial funded by Youth Futures Foundation. https://www.1625ip.co.uk/reboot-west-using-acceptance-and-commitment-therapy-act-to-help-care-leavers-progress-in-education-training-and-employment-eet/
How can I find out more?
Any books, videos or training by Russ Harris – https://www.actmindfully.com.au/
Psychological Flexibility – Psychological Flexibility: The Power of Staying Present (betterup.com)
Acceptance and Commitment Coaching – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Acceptance-Commitment-Coaching-Distinctive-Features/dp/1138564982
People Soup podcast about ACT in the world of work – http://www.rossmcintosh.co.uk/
ACT in the workplace website with lots of resources – https://workingwithact.com/what-is-act/
[1] The Reboot West project run by 1625ip in Bristol and in 2023 subject to a randomised-controlled trial funded by Youth Futures Foundation. https://www.1625ip.co.uk/reboot-west-using-acceptance-and-commitment-therapy-act-to-help-care-leavers-progress-in-education-training-and-employment-eet/