Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Newtown
Most of us are taught to treat difficult thoughts and feelings as problems to get rid of — we push them down, argue with them, or wait until they pass before getting on with life. ACT takes a different view. Looking for ACT therapy in Sydney? At Insight Psychology in Newtown, Dr John Ahern offers ACT to individuals in one-to-one sessions, tailored to what you're facing and what you want your life to look like.
ACT with Dr John Ahern
Dr John Ahern is the founder of Insight Psychology in Newtown, Sydney. He works with adults experiencing anxiety, trauma, stress, mood difficulties, intense emotions, relationship patterns and long-standing psychological difficulties, using evidence-based approaches including EMDR, CBT, DBT-informed therapy, ACT and Schema Therapy.
What Is ACT?
ACT is a modern form of cognitive behavioural therapy developed by psychologist Steven Hayes. It rests on a simple but counterintuitive idea: the harder we struggle against painful thoughts and feelings, the more they tend to take over. Pain is an unavoidable part of being human, and a great deal of suffering comes from the effort to avoid or control it.
Rather than trying to eliminate difficult feelings, ACT helps you make room for them, step back from unhelpful thoughts, and reconnect with what you genuinely care about.
Psychological flexibility
The aim of ACT is what's called psychological flexibility: the ability to stay present and act in line with your values, even when things are hard. It's not about feeling good all the time — it's about being able to do what matters to you while making room for whatever shows up.
Who Can ACT Help?
ACT may suit you if:
ACT is used across a wide range of difficulties — including anxiety, depression, stress, chronic pain and grief — and has strong, broad research support. You don't need a diagnosis to benefit.
How ACT Helps
ACT works through a set of related skills. We focus on the ones most useful for what you're dealing with.
Acceptance
Making room for difficult feelings rather than fighting them, so they take up less of your energy.
Unhooking from thoughts
Noticing thoughts as thoughts, rather than being pulled around by them. A thought can be present without running the show.
Being present
Coming back to the here and now, instead of being lost in worry about the future or replaying the past.
A steadier sense of self
Recognising that you are more than your thoughts and feelings. They move through you; they are not the whole of you.
Values
Getting clear on what genuinely matters to you: the kind of person you want to be and the life you want to lead.
Committed action
Taking real, practical steps toward those values, even when discomfort comes along for the ride.
What ACT Looks Like at Insight Psychology
I work with you one-to-one in standard 50-minute sessions. We start by understanding what's keeping you stuck, then build practical skills you can use in everyday life, often with small experiments to try between sessions. ACT is active and experiential, so you can expect to practise, not just talk.
Is ACT Right for Me?
The best way to find out is an initial session, where we can look at what's been happening and whether this approach fits what you're hoping for. There's no expectation to commit beyond that first conversation.
ACT doesn't ask you to think positively or pretend things are fine. It takes your difficulties seriously, and works on building a richer life around them rather than waiting for them to disappear first.
Insight Psychology is located at 6/134–140 King Street, Newtown, NSW 2042, in Sydney's Inner West. You don't need a referral to see a psychologist; if your GP provides a Mental Health Treatment Plan, you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate on a number of sessions each calendar year. You can also explore other psychology services in Sydney, including CBT therapy in Sydney.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say "ACT"?
ACT is usually said as the single word "act", not spelled out as the individual letters A-C-T. It stands for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
How is ACT different from CBT?
ACT is a modern form of cognitive behavioural therapy. Where traditional CBT therapy in Sydney often focuses on examining and changing the content of unhelpful thoughts, ACT focuses more on changing your relationship with thoughts and feelings, and on taking action guided by your values — rather than on getting rid of difficult inner experiences first.
Does acceptance mean giving up, or just putting up with things?
No. Acceptance in ACT doesn't mean resignation or approval. It means making room for difficult feelings so you stop pouring energy into a struggle that isn't working — which frees you to put that energy into the things that matter to you.
What problems is ACT used for?
ACT is used across a wide range of difficulties, including anxiety, depression, stress, chronic pain and grief, and it has strong, broad research support. You don't need a diagnosis to benefit.
Do I need a referral?
No, you can book directly. A GP Mental Health Treatment Plan is only needed if you want to claim a Medicare rebate.
This page is general information only and is not a substitute for personalised psychological advice, diagnosis or treatment. The best therapy approach depends on your history, current symptoms, goals and support needs. A psychologist can help assess whether this approach is suitable for you.
Insight Psychology is not a crisis service. If you are in immediate danger, call 000. If you need urgent mental health support in Australia, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.