| Feature | Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) | Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviours | Accepting thoughts and feelings while building a values-based life |
| Goal | Replace negative thinking with more realistic, helpful thoughts | Increase flexibility in thinking and behaviour to live meaningfully—even with difficult feelings |
| Help For | Anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, low self-esteem, overthinking | Life transitions, grief, identity issues, chronic stress, emotional overwhelm |
| Techniques Used | Thought records, behavioural experiments, structured coping tools | Mindfulness, values clarification, acceptance, committed action |
| How It Helps You Cope | By teaching you to reframe | By helping you create space for difficult emotions and take action in line with your values |
| Overall Style | Structured, present-focused, skills-based | Compassionate, flexible, values-driven |
Which therapy is right for you?Nele Mahieu2026-02-25T22:55:47+00:00
