What is Psychological Flexibility?
Psychological flexibility, as defined by Steven C. Hayes and central to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), is the ability to stay present and open to experiences, even difficult ones, while acting in ways aligned with our values. It's about learning how to embrace pain and suffering rather than avoiding it, which paradoxically allows us to lead more fulfilling and meaningful lives.
At its core, psychological flexibility involves six key processes that help individuals break free from rigid patterns of thought and behavior: acceptance, cognitive defusion, being present, self-as-context, values, and committed action. Through these processes, ACT encourages people to stop struggling with their inner experiences and instead live fully, even in the presence of discomfort or distress.
Hayes himself faced debilitating panic attacks, and his personal journey illustrates the power of this approach. Instead of avoiding or battling his emotions, he chose to stay with his pain, a shift that allowed him to connect more deeply with his own sense of purpose. By fostering psychological flexibility, we can respond to life’s challenges with openness and resilience, finding strength in vulnerability and discovering what truly matters to us. This shift can lead to profound personal growth and the capacity to make meaningful contributions to the world around us.
In the vast research on ACT, psychological flexibility has been linked to improved mental health outcomes, such as reduced anxiety, depression, and stress. The key message of Hayes’ work is that we don’t need to fight against our thoughts and feelings to thrive. Instead, when we cultivate a compassionate stance toward our own struggles, we open the door to greater well-being and purpose.
Psychological flexibility: How love turns pain into purpose | Steven Hayes | TEDxUniversityofNevada
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