Acting in accordance with values and accepting anxious thoughts are characteristic of ACT. Which option best describes this aspect?

• A. Accepting anxious thoughts and engaging in valued actions; evidence supports use as adjunct treatment for anxiety.
• B. Eliminating anxious thoughts completely through exposure alone.
• C. Ignoring values and focusing on symptom suppression.
• D. Only used as a stand-alone therapy with no evidence base.

Answer: (C)

In ACT, the key idea is psychological flexibility: you learn to accept anxious thoughts as they come and still move toward what matters for you. Acting in accordance with your values while allowing anxious thoughts to exist is exactly how ACT works. By accepting thoughts rather than trying to force them away, you reduce avoidance and build commitment to values-based actions, which improves functioning and diminishes distress over time. The evidence supports using ACT as an adjunct treatment for anxiety disorders, meaning it adds value alongside other treatments rather than relying on just suppressing symptoms.

The idea of completely eliminating anxious thoughts through exposure alone isn’t consistent with ACT, because ACT emphasizes acceptance of thoughts rather than elimination. Ignoring values and focusing on symptom suppression also contradicts ACT, which centers on living in line with personal values. And ACT isn’t restricted to stand-alone use with no evidence; there is a substantial evidence base showing its effectiveness, including as an adjunct treatment for anxiety.