What Is ACT

What Is ACT?

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of psychotherapy that combines mindfulness strategies with behavior change techniques. Instead of trying to eliminate uncomfortable thoughts and emotions, ACT teaches clients to accept them and commit to actions aligned with their values.

For individuals with eating disorders, ACT helps reduce avoidance, challenge rigid rules around food and body image, and create a healthier relationship with themselves and their recovery.

At Virtue Recovery, ACT is integrated into individualized treatment plans alongside CBT, DBT, MI, nutritional counseling, and family therapy.

5 Benefits of ACT for Eating Disorders

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Reduces Avoidance Behaviors

ACT teaches clients to face difficult emotions directly rather than avoiding them. By doing so, individuals learn healthier ways to cope without relying on disordered eating.

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Improves Mindfulness & Awareness

Clients are encouraged to live in the present moment with openness and curiosity. This practice helps reduce judgment and self-criticism tied to food and body image.

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Builds Values-Driven Living

ACT helps clients identify and reconnect with their core personal values. These values then guide healthier choices and foster long-term recovery.

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Increases Psychological Flexibility

Psychological flexibility allows individuals to adapt more easily to challenges and setbacks. This resilience is crucial for maintaining balance during the recovery journey.

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Strengthens Recovery Commitment

ACT fosters motivation by helping clients find meaning and purpose beyond their eating disorder. This deeper sense of commitment strengthens long-term recovery efforts.

Do I Have an Eating Disorder?

If you’re concerned about your symptoms, click below to take our eating disorders quiz.

How ACT Works at Virtue Recovery

  • Acceptance
    Clients learn to acknowledge difficult thoughts and emotions without judgment or avoidance. This approach reduces the struggle against internal experiences and fosters emotional healing.

  • Cognitive Defusion
    ACT helps clients change their relationship with thoughts so they no longer dictate behavior. By creating distance from negative thinking, individuals gain greater control over their actions.

  • Mindfulness Training
    Clients are encouraged to stay present and grounded in the moment, reducing anxiety and rumination. Mindfulness also helps break disordered patterns tied to food and body image.

  • Values Clarification
    Therapists guide clients in identifying their personal values and goals that matter most. These values become the foundation for making healthier and more meaningful choices.

  • Committed Action
    ACT emphasizes taking practical, consistent steps that align behaviors with personal values. This helps clients translate intentions into long-term recovery progress.

  • Psychological Flexibility
    Building the ability to adapt to difficult emotions and situations is a key goal of ACT. Greater flexibility allows clients to navigate challenges without returning to harmful coping mechanisms.

Client Testimonials

Luxury Treatment and ACT

Virtue Recovery provides ACT in a luxury treatment environment designed for deep healing. Clients receive the highest quality of care in a serene, supportive space where comfort and evidence-based practices work hand in hand.

With private accommodations, chef-prepared meals, and holistic therapies, individuals can focus fully on recovery without distraction. This unique blend of clinical excellence and luxury amenities ensures every client receives both the care and comfort they deserve.

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Our Las Vegas Luxury Inpatient Eating Disorder Treatment Center

Our inpatient program integrates ACT into daily treatment, providing intensive therapy alongside medical care, nutritional counseling, and holistic recovery practices. This immersive setting allows clients to practice ACT skills in a safe and supportive environment.

Our Las Vegas Outpatient Eating Disorder Treatment Center

Our outpatient program provides flexible ACT-based therapy for clients who are transitioning from inpatient care or managing recovery while living at home.

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Our Las Vegas Adolescent / Teen Inpatient Eating Disorder Treatment Center

ACT is especially effective for teens learning to cope with emotions and pressures without resorting to disordered eating. Our Teen Inpatient Program incorporates ACT into treatment with developmentally appropriate strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions About ACT

ACT reduces avoidance behaviors, helps clients manage distress, and creates a values-driven path to recovery.

CBT focuses on changing thoughts and behaviors, while ACT emphasizes accepting thoughts and focusing on living in alignment with values.

Yes. At Virtue Recovery, ACT is integrated with CBT, DBT, MI, and nutritional counseling for comprehensive care.

Yes. ACT is especially effective for adolescents who struggle with body image, anxiety, or peer pressure.

Glossary of Terms for ACT Treatment

A therapy that combines mindfulness and behavior change.

Allowing thoughts and emotions to exist without judgment.

Creating distance from thoughts so they lose control over behaviors.

Present-focused awareness without judgment.

Identifying personal values to guide actions.

Taking steps that align with values and recovery.
The ability to adapt to challenges while staying true to values.

Intensive 24/7 residential care.

Flexible therapy sessions while living at home.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT helps clients identify and reframe negative thought patterns that lead to disordered eating behaviors.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT equips individuals with skills in emotional regulation, mindfulness, and distress tolerance to reduce self-destructive eating behaviors.

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

MI fosters intrinsic motivation for recovery by helping clients resolve ambivalence and set meaningful goals.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT guides clients to accept difficult emotions while taking committed actions aligned with their values and recovery.

Family-Based Therapy (FBT)

FBT empowers families, particularly for adolescents, to take an active role in restoring healthy eating and supporting long-term recovery.

Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)

IPT addresses how relationship challenges, grief, or life transitions contribute to eating disorders and promotes healthier social functioning.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

ERP reduces food-related anxiety by helping clients gradually confront feared foods and break avoidance patterns.

Meal Support Therapy

Structured mealtime support provides a safe environment to help clients relearn normal eating patterns and reduce food-related fear.

Nutritional Counseling

Licensed dietitians work closely with clients to develop balanced, individualized meal plans and restore healthy nutritional habits.

Group Therapy

Group therapy fosters peer support, shared healing, and community connection throughout the recovery journey.

Art Therapy

Art therapy offers a nonverbal outlet for exploring emotions, trauma, and body image issues through creative expression.

Music Therapy

Music therapy engages clients in healing through sound, rhythm, and songwriting to promote emotional release and relaxation.

Meditation Therapy

Meditation therapy promotes mindfulness, self-awareness, and inner calm, helping clients manage anxiety and stay grounded.

Yoga Therapy

Yoga therapy enhances body awareness, self-acceptance, and emotional balance through movement, breathwork, and mindfulness.

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