Keywords

behavioral therapy, psychological flexibility, acceptance, defusion, cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, committed action, third-wave therapies, therapy outcomes

Abstract

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) have emerged from the shared heritage of behavioral therapy and learning theory. ACT and CBT are evidenced to be effective and complementary by shared clinical outcomes across various patient demographics. Both therapies share a therapeutic framework or a unified behavioral core, despite formal differences. This behavioral core utilizes functionally equivalent awareness-based and behavior-change processes to accomplish the shared goals of symptom reduction and patient well-being. Psychological flexibility as defined by Hayes can be understood as both an outcome and potentially a mechanism of change for both therapies. Techniques from CBT and ACT should be used interchangeably as deemed appropriate by the practitioner in personalized, contextual treatment plans. Furthermore, research should continue to flesh out a unified behavioral core for effective therapy by examining the shared function of various therapeutic interventions.