Evidence-Based Therapy Indianapolis
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Anxiety, OCD, and Stress.
Sommer Psychology Group provides evidence-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in Indianapolis for young adults and adults. ACT helps you respond differently to difficult thoughts and emotions so they no longer feel as controlling or overwhelming.
Instead of trying to eliminate anxiety or distress, ACT focuses on building psychological flexibility—helping you accept what you can’t control while taking meaningful action toward the life you want. Our licensed therapists use ACT to support individuals with anxiety, OCD, ADHD, and stress-related concerns, offering in-person therapy in Indianapolis and secure online sessions across Indiana for flexible, effective care.
- I notice my mind getting stuck on certain thoughts, pulling me away from how I want to show up.
- I feel strong urges to do things a certain way, even when they don’t align with the life I want to live.
- I get caught in fears or rituals that take me further from what truly matters to me.
- I spend so much time in thoughts or routines that I have less energy for the things I care about.
- I feel alone or ashamed at times, and it keeps me from connecting in the ways I value.
- I often doubt myself, which makes it harder to act in line with the person I want to be.
What Is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a modern behavioral therapy that focuses on helping individuals accept internal experiences while committing to actions aligned with their values.
Many people struggling with anxiety, OCD, or trauma spend enormous energy trying to control or eliminate uncomfortable thoughts and emotions. Unfortunately, these efforts often make distress stronger or more persistent.
ACT therapy helps individuals learn how to:
- Notice thoughts and feelings without becoming overwhelmed by them
- Reduce the impact of intrusive thoughts and anxiety
- Develop greater psychological flexibility
- Take meaningful actions even when discomfort is present
- Reconnect with personal values and life goals
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Indianapolis
What is ACT Like?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy works by strengthening a skill called psychological flexibility, the ability to stay present, open to experience, and engaged in meaningful action even when life is difficult. ACT therapy focuses on six core processes:
- Acceptance: learning to make space for uncomfortable emotions instead of fighting them.
- Cognitive Defusion: developing the ability to step back from thoughts rather than getting stuck in them.
- Present-Moment Awareness: cultivating mindfulness and awareness of current experiences.
- Self-as-Context: recognizing that thoughts and feelings do not define who you are.
- Values Clarification: identifying what truly matters in your life.
- Committed Action: taking steps toward meaningful goals even when anxiety or uncertainty arises.
These skills help individuals break cycles of avoidance and struggle with difficult thoughts, allowing them to move toward a more fulfilling life.
ACT for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
ACT for Social Anxiety Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder can be effectively treated using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which focuses on changing your relationship with anxiety so it no longer dictates how you live your life.
Social anxiety often shows up as a strong fear of being judged, embarrassed, or negatively evaluated. It can lead to patterns like avoiding social situations, over-preparing, or trying to hide signs of anxiety. While these strategies may reduce discomfort in the moment, they can keep you stuck and disconnected from the relationships and experiences you value.
In ACT, the goal isn’t to eliminate anxiety, but to help you make space for it while still moving toward what matters. You learn to notice anxious thoughts, step back from them, and reduce the struggle to control how you feel or how others see you.
Treatment focuses on building psychological flexibility—helping you stay present, open to discomfort, and willing to take meaningful action. For example, someone might choose to start a conversation without over-rehearsing, or allow themselves to feel anxious and be seen, because connection and authenticity matter more than avoiding discomfort.
Over time, this approach can reduce the hold anxiety has on your choices, shift attention outward rather than inward, and help you engage more fully in social, academic, and work life—even when anxiety is still present.
ACT for Perfectionism
Perfectionism can be addressed using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) by helping you loosen the grip of rigid standards and shift toward a more flexible, values-driven way of living.
Perfectionism often shows up as a strong need to avoid mistakes or discomfort, leading to patterns like excessive checking, over-preparing, procrastination, or avoidance. While these strategies may offer temporary relief, they can keep you stuck and pull you away from creativity, growth, and meaningful engagement.
In ACT, the focus isn’t on eliminating high standards, but on changing your relationship with the thoughts and fears that drive them. You learn to notice self-critical thoughts, make room for discomfort, and step out of automatic patterns aimed at “getting it just right.”
Treatment centers on building psychological flexibility—helping you take action guided by your values, even when imperfection is present. For example, someone might choose to submit work without over-editing or allow small mistakes to remain, because learning, contributing, or moving forward matters more than being perfect.
Over time, this approach helps reduce the fear of mistakes, increase self-compassion, and support a more balanced, flexible way of striving—one that’s guided by what truly matters rather than by fear of imperfection.
ACT for Panic Attacks & Panic Disorder
Panic Disorder can be effectively treated using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which focuses on changing how you relate to uncomfortable physical sensations and anxious thoughts, rather than trying to control or eliminate them.
Panic often involves intense bodily sensations—like a racing heart, dizziness, or shortness of breath—that can feel alarming or dangerous. It’s common to become highly focused on these sensations and to try to avoid, escape, or control them. Over time, this can lead to fear of future panic attacks and avoidance of places or situations where one might occur.
In ACT, the goal is to build a different relationship with these experiences. Instead of fighting or avoiding physical sensations, you learn to notice them, make space for them, and allow them to rise and fall without getting pulled into fear-based reactions.
Treatment focuses on increasing psychological flexibility—helping you stay present, open to discomfort, and able to take meaningful action. For example, someone might notice their heart racing, allow the sensation to be there, and continue engaging in what matters—like staying in a store, driving, or spending time with others—rather than escaping.
Over time, this approach can reduce the fear of bodily sensations, loosen the cycle of panic, and help you regain confidence in your ability to handle discomfort—so your choices are guided more by your values than by fear.
ACT for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) can be effectively treated using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which focuses on changing your relationship with worry and uncertainty rather than trying to eliminate them.
GAD often involves persistent worry about everyday concerns, along with a strong pull to figure things out, gain certainty, or prevent something bad from happening. This can show up as overthinking, reassurance seeking, or mentally reviewing different scenarios. While these strategies may bring temporary relief, they can keep you stuck and disconnected from the present moment.
In ACT, the goal is not to get rid of worry, but to respond to it differently. You learn to notice anxious thoughts without getting pulled into them, make space for uncertainty, and step out of unhelpful thinking patterns.
Treatment focuses on building psychological flexibility—helping you stay present, open to discomfort, and able to take action based on your values. For example, someone might notice a worry arise, choose not to engage with it, and instead focus on what matters in that moment—like being present with others, completing a task, or taking care of themselves.
Over time, this approach helps increase tolerance for uncertainty, reduce the hold that worry has on your attention, and support a more grounded, values-driven way of living—even when anxiety is still present.
ACT for Specific Phobias
Specific phobias can be effectively treated using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which helps you change how you relate to fear so it no longer limits how you live your life.
Phobias often involve intense, immediate anxiety in response to a specific object or situation, along with a strong urge to avoid it. While avoidance may bring short-term relief, it can keep fear in place and shrink your world over time—sometimes interfering with daily activities, work, or relationships.
In ACT, the goal isn’t to eliminate fear, but to help you respond to it in a more flexible way. You learn to notice fearful thoughts and sensations, make space for them, and reduce the struggle to control or escape them.
Treatment focuses on building psychological flexibility—helping you stay present, open to discomfort, and willing to take meaningful steps toward what matters. For example, someone with a fear of dogs might gradually choose to be around them while allowing anxiety to come and go, because freedom, connection, or participation in life is more important than avoiding fear.
Over time, this approach can reduce the hold fear has on your choices, increase your willingness to face uncomfortable situations, and expand your ability to fully engage in life—even when anxiety shows up.
ACT for Trauma & PTSD
Trauma and PTSD can be effectively treated using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which focuses on helping you relate differently to painful memories, thoughts, and feelings rather than trying to erase them.
Trauma often leads to intense emotional and physical reactions, flashbacks, avoidance of reminders, or persistent self-criticism. While avoiding or controlling these experiences may reduce distress in the short term, it can keep you stuck and limit your ability to live a meaningful life.
In ACT, the goal isn’t to make the memories or emotions disappear, but to create space for them while taking actions guided by your values. You learn to notice painful thoughts and sensations, allow them to be present, and reduce the struggle to control or escape them.
Treatment focuses on building psychological flexibility—helping you stay present, reconnect with the world around you, and engage in life even when trauma-related distress arises. For example, someone might allow themselves to remember a painful event without pushing it away and still take steps toward connection, work, or personal goals that matter to them.
Over time, this approach can reduce the grip of traumatic memories, increase tolerance for distressing emotions, and support living a life guided by purpose and values rather than fear.
ACT for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
We are here to help you overcome anxiety.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Indianapolis
How ACT Therapy Can Help
ACT therapy is collaborative, practical, and focused on helping clients develop new ways of responding to difficult internal experiences.
During ACT therapy sessions, clients may:
- Learn mindfulness and awareness skills
- Explore patterns of avoidance or emotional struggle
- Practice techniques for distancing from intrusive thoughts
- Improve relationships, work performance, and daily functioning
- Clarify personal values and long-term goals
- Develop actionable steps toward living more meaningfully
ACT therapy often includes experiential exercises, metaphors, and skills practice that help individuals apply new strategies in their daily lives.
The goal is not to eliminate anxiety or distress completely, but to help individuals live well even when those experiences show up.
We guide you beyond survival, helping you both manage anxiety and build lasting resilience for what’s ahead.
Our Approach to acceptance and commitment therapy
How Our ACT Works
Our treatment approach focuses on helping clients build psychological flexibility and take meaningful action toward their values.
We start with a comprehensive evaluation and assessment to understand your experiences, including patterns of worry, anxiety, or compulsive behaviors. This helps us create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs and goals.
You’ll focus on applying ACT strategies to live in alignment with your values, even when difficult thoughts or feelings arise. This includes noticing challenging experiences without getting stuck in them, staying present, and taking committed actions that matter most to you. These skills support lasting growth, emotional resilience, and a life guided by purpose rather than fear.
ABOUT US
Why Work With Sommer Psychology Group
We understand that life can sometimes feel overwhelming—whether it’s managing anxiety, balancing responsibilities, or facing the fear of the unknown. As ACT specialists who work with individuals who struggle with anxiety, OCD, and related disorders, we aim to help you find your way forward.
Our approach is solutions-focused and evidence-based, designed to meet your unique needs and help you achieve lasting change. Whether you’re dealing with stress, life transitions, or relationship challenges, we are dedicated to giving you the tools to overcome obstacles and thrive.
At Sommer Psychology Group, we believe in the power of quality care. That means giving you dedicated, thoughtful, and individualized support, with the flexibility of virtual sessions that fit into your life, wherever you are.
Our evidence-based therapy is grounded in three core principles:
Integrity
We believe integrity is the foundation of effective therapy. It fosters trust, respect, and accountability, ensuring our clients receive honest, consistent, and ethical guidance throughout their journey.
Compassion
Compassion is at the heart of our practice. It nurtures emotional healing, creating a safe space where clients can feel heard, valued, and understood while developing a culture of collaboration and respect.
Quality Care
We prioritize quality care to ensure the best outcomes for our clients. By addressing both clinical needs and emotional well-being, we build trust and deliver effective therapy that supports long-term growth and success.
Meet Our ACT Therapists
At Sommer Psychology Group, our specialized team of clinicians are dedicated to supporting individuals struggling with anxiety, OCD, and related disorders. We offer comprehensive care through assessment and evaluation, evidence-based therapy and treatment, education and ongoing consultation.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Indianapolis
Questions About ACT
Can anxiety and OCD be treated with ACT therapy?
Yes. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based approach for OCD and many anxiety disorders. While these conditions may not completely “disappear,” ACT helps you relate differently to your thoughts and feelings, reduce the impact of symptoms, and take meaningful actions that allow you to live a fuller, values-driven life.
How does ACT help stop anxiety from interfering with my life?
ACT works by helping you notice and accept anxious or distressing thoughts, feelings, and sensations—without trying to avoid or control them. Over time, you learn that these experiences can be tolerated while still taking meaningful action, which reduces their power over your life and allows you to live more freely in line with your values.
What causes anxiety and OCD, and how does ACT address it?
Why can’t I just relax or think my way out of anxiety?
How long does ACT therapy take to work?
Have More Questions?
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