Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
You've tried to think your way out of anxiety. You've fought against intrusive thoughts. You've avoided situations that trigger painful feelings. And somehow, the struggle itself has become exhausting.
What if the goal isn't to eliminate difficult emotions—but to change your relationship with them?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps you stop fighting your mind and start living according to your values—even when anxiety, pain, or difficult thoughts show up.
What Is ACT Therapy?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)—pronounced like the word "act"—is an evidence-based psychotherapy that helps you:
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✓ Accept difficult emotions instead of struggling against them
✓ Defuse from unhelpful thoughts so they lose their grip
✓ Be present in the moment, reducing overthinking and worry
✓ Clarify your values—what truly matters in work, relationships, and personal life
✓ Take committed action toward those values, even when anxiety, trauma, or pain shows up
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The result: Psychological flexibility—the ability to be present, open, and engaged in life even when challenges arise.
What ACT Helps With
ACT has strong research support (over 1,000 randomized controlled trials) for:
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Anxiety – Social anxiety, panic attacks, generalized anxiety, worry
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OCD – Intrusive thoughts, compulsions, mental rituals
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Depression – Hopelessness, rumination, loss of motivation
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Trauma & PTSD – Avoidance, hyperarousal, painful memories
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Chronic pain – Living fully despite physical limitations
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Stress – Work pressure, burnout, life transitions
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Neurodivergent experiences – Anxiety in autism and ADHD, sensory overwhelm, rejection sensitivity
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ACT works especially well for neurodivergent individuals because it doesn't try to make you think "normally"—it helps you work WITH your brain, not against it.
How ACT Therapy Works
In ACT sessions, you'll learn:
ACT vs. Other Therapies
How ACT compares to therapies you may have heard of:
ACT vs. DBT
DBT is skills-focused (especially for emotion dysregulation and self-harm). ACT shares mindfulness/acceptance components but adds values-driven behavior change with more flexibility and fewer program requirements.
ACT vs. IFS
IFS focuses on "parts" and cultivating a compassionate Self. ACT approaches similar territory through self-as-context and defusion (relating to thoughts/feelings/parts without being dominated by them). Many people who like IFS also find ACT's values + committed action pieces uniquely helpful for turning insight into daily change.
What to Expect in ACT Therapy
ACT is active and experiential. Sessions might include:
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Mindfulness exercises
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Exploring your relationship with difficult thoughts
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Values clarification activities
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Behavioral experiments
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Practical skills you use in everyday life (on the subway, at work, in relationships)
Format options:
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In-person: Upper West Side Manhattan office
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Telehealth: Available across New York State
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Walk and Talk: Central Park sessions available seasonally
Length of treatment: Varies based on goals. Some clients work with ACT for a few months; others engage longer-term.
Why Choose HMV Psychology for ACT Therapy
Advanced ACT Training
Dr. Voulgarakis has advanced training in ACT, including direct study with its founder, and integrates ACT into his work with anxiety, trauma, OCD, autism, ADHD, and chronic health conditions.
Specialization in Neurodivergence
ACT works especially well for autistic and ADHD individuals. We adapt approaches to how your brain actually works.
Evidence-Based & Compassionate
Strong research foundation combined with warmth, flexibility, and real-world application for life in NYC.
Dual Expertise: Psychology + Behavior Analysis
As both a licensed psychologist and board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA-D), Dr. Voulgarakis brings unique insight into behavior change and neurodevelopmental conditions.​
Convenient Location
One block from Central Park with flexible in-person, telehealth, or outdoor walk-and-talk sessions.
Common Questions
Is ACT right for me?
ACT works well if you:
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Feel stuck in patterns of avoidance or struggle
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Want to stop fighting your anxiety and start living your values
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Find traditional CBT too focused on "positive thinking"
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Are neurodivergent and need an approach that works WITH your brain
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Have tried other therapies that didn't fit
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How long does ACT therapy take?
It varies. Some people feel relief in 8-12 sessions; others work longer-term. We regularly review progress and adjust as needed.
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Can ACT help with OCD?
Yes. ACT's exposure-based work and defusion techniques are highly effective for OCD, helping you relate differently to intrusive thoughts without performing compulsions.
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Does ACT work for trauma?
Yes. ACT addresses avoidance, hyperarousal, and values disconnection common in trauma while helping you build psychological flexibility. For complex PTSD, we may integrate EMDR.