The Marriage & Family Institute
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Therapy to help you build emotional resilience and live more fully, no matter your age or challenges. In-person sessions in Columbus with online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) available across Ohio.
Be More Flexible
With Your Emotions
Strengthen Your
Relationships
Build Resilience
& Stay Present
It shouldn’t be so hard…
…to stop overthinking every little thing.
…to feel like myself again.
…to get through the day without feeling exhausted by my mind.
…to keep my reactions in check when emotions run high.
When your thoughts and feelings feel too big to handle, it can leave you avoiding what matters, second-guessing yourself, and feeling out of sync with your life.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy In Columbus & Across Ohio
What Is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy And How Can It Help?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a practical, evidence-based approach that helps you stop fighting with your thoughts and start living in a way that feels meaningful to you. Instead of trying to get rid of difficult feelings or memories, ACT teaches you how to make room for them, so they don’t have so much power over your life.
In ACT, you’ll learn skills like mindfulness (noticing what’s happening right now without judgment) and defusion (stepping back from unhelpful thoughts). You’ll also explore what truly matters to you and practice taking small, doable steps toward those values, even when life feels hard.
These tools can be especially helpful if you spend a lot of time overthinking, worrying, criticizing yourself, or trying to push away uncomfortable emotions as a coping mechanism. ACT can help you learn to step back from those thoughts so they don’t run your life. Over time, ACT can help you feel more present, more in control of your reactions, and more connected to the things that bring you purpose and joy.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Can Help With:
- Anxiety disorders (including social anxiety disorder and panic attacks)
- Depression
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Stress and burnout
- Oppositional-Defiant Disorder (ODD)
ACT can be an empowering option if you’ve tried other therapies without lasting change or if you’re ready to learn a new way to approach your challenges.
The Marriage & Family Institute
How Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Can Help
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, low self-worth, or frustration, ACT provides a supportive, practical way to move forward.
Reduce Anxiety & Feel Calmer
You’ll learn techniques to step back from racing thoughts and make room for the feelings you’ve been trying to avoid. The strategies you learn in ACT can lead to greater peace and balance, even during stressful times.
Break Free From Avoidance & Overthinking
Instead of getting stuck in worry or avoidance, ACT guides you to take small, meaningful actions that align with your goals and help you feel more in control and less reactive.
Live In Alignment With Your Values
Together, we’ll clarify what truly matters to you, so your choices and behaviors reflect your values, not your fears.
Improve Emotional Resilience
By practicing acceptance and mindfulness, you’ll develop the skills to handle difficult emotions without being overwhelmed by them.
Enhance Relationships
As you grow more aware of your thoughts and reactions, you’ll build healthier connections with the people around you.
Get started today!
Book an appointment or free consultation online or contact us directly.
Why Us
The Marriage & Family Institute
We understand that while we can't change the difficult situations of the past, we can work together to better understand and overcome the challenges you face today.
With decades of combined experience, we take an integrative, compassionate, and genuine approach to therapy, rooted in the philosophy that all parts of the human person need to be addressed to bring long-lasting and substantial change. We believe in a holistic therapy approach that considers all aspects of your experience — psychological, spiritual, and physical to help you heal from trauma, improve relationships, and live a fulfilling life.
At The Marriage & Family Institute, our mission is to strengthen individuals and families by promoting healthy relationships, building resilience, and fostering secure attachments. We provide evidence-based, compassionate, and comprehensive services to help couples, individuals, and families navigate life’s challenges and achieve a fulfilling life together.
Together, we support you in creating a life that feels meaningful and fulfilling.
Compassionate
We create a safe and respectful environment that allows space for deep healing and transformation.
Integrative
We address intergenerational trauma in addition to your psychological, spiritual, & physical well-being to foster lasting change.
Authentic
We believe in being genuine and transparent with ourselves, colleagues, and clients, to support personal & relational growth.
Meet Our Team
Match With An ACT Therapist
Our Approach
How Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Works
We Get To Know You
We start by talking about what’s been hard for you and making sure you feel comfortable sharing your story. By understanding how your worries, feelings, and behaviors are showing up in your life, we can tailor ACT to fit your unique needs.
We Develop a Treatment Plan
Together, we’ll look at how trying to push away or control tough thoughts and feelings often makes things feel even more overwhelming. You’ll learn simple, practical skills to notice what you’re thinking and feeling without getting stuck or swept away.
We Help You Move Forward
Your therapist will help you build a plan to practice these tools and take small, meaningful steps toward your goals. Each session builds on the last, so you feel supported and confident applying what you learn in your day-to-day life.
We Complete A Goal Reevaluation
If therapy isn’t moving in the direction you’d hoped, we’ll revisit your goals and make adjustments. Our aim is to help you feel more present, resilient, and connected to what truly matters to you.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy In Columbus & Across Ohio
Questions About Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an approach to therapy that helps you stop fighting with your own thoughts and feelings. Instead of trying to push them away or pretend they’re not there, ACT teaches you how to notice them without letting them take over. The main idea is to help you focus on what really matters to you, so you can make choices that feel true to who you are and feel less stuck in your head.
How is ACT different from other types of therapy?
Unlike therapies that focus on changing or challenging your thoughts directly, ACT encourages you to change your relationship with those thoughts. It helps you notice your thoughts and feelings without getting overwhelmed or trying to fight them. This approach can be especially helpful if you’ve tried other therapies but still feel stuck or consumed by your emotions.
What does an ACT therapy session look like?
ACT sessions are interactive and focused on your personal experiences. You’ll learn mindfulness exercises to notice your thoughts and feelings, explore what’s most important to you in life, and practice small actions that help you live according to your values. Sessions may include talking, guided exercises, and homework to try new skills between meetings
Can ACT be combined with other treatments or medications?
Yes, ACT works well alongside other therapies and medications. It’s often used with medication for conditions like anxiety or depression and can complement approaches like CBT or medication management. ACT focuses on helping you cope with your internal experiences, while other treatments may address symptoms more directly.
How do I know if ACT is the right therapy for me?
If the best way to describe how you live is that it often feels like you’re constantly battling your own mind, ACT may be the answer.
You might:
- Feel like your thoughts are arguing with you all day long.
- Try to shut out worries or uncomfortable feelings, but they just get louder.
- Spend so much energy trying not to feel certain things that you end up exhausted or disconnected.
- Avoid doing things you care about because you’re scared of how you’ll feel.
It’s like your brain is running the show, and you’re stuck in the backseat.
ACT helps you step out of that fight, notice your thoughts without getting pulled under, and start choosing what matters to you, even if the thoughts are still there.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy In Columbus & Across Ohio
Positive Outcomes Of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a powerful step toward lasting emotional well-being. While it takes time and practice, you may start to notice:
- Greater emotional flexibility and resilience when life feels overwhelming
- An improved ability to live in a way that matches your values and what matters most to you
- Fewer physical symptoms related to stress, like tension or fatigue
- More mindfulness and the ability to stay present instead of getting lost in worries
- Healthier, more fulfilling relationships with yourself and the people around you
- Stronger problem-solving skills and healthier ways to cope with challenges
- A deeper sense of overall well-being and life satisfaction
The Marriage & Family Institute
How To Get Started
*Free 15-minute consultations
*For fastest response, please use the contact form.
Locations
- German Village: 855 S. Wall St. Columbus, OH 43206
- Worthington: 6797 North High St. Suite 203 Worthington, OH 43085
- Grove City: 2684 Columbus St, Grove City, OH 43123 (Telehealth)
- Online therapy sessions are available across Ohio.
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy In Columbus & Across Ohio
The Marriage & Family Institute
Break free from unhelpful patterns and build a life that feels meaningful.