Therapeutic approach
ACTAcceptance and Commitment Therapy
Build psychological flexibility by accepting difficult thoughts and feelings while moving toward what matters to you.
Key information you should know
- Builds psychological flexibility: accepting hard experiences while acting on your values.
- Useful for anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and life transitions.
- Combines mindfulness skills with practical, values-based steps.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps you relate differently to difficult thoughts and feelings instead of struggling to eliminate them. The aim is psychological flexibility: staying present, choosing your responses, and moving toward what matters to you.
ACT uses mindfulness and values-based action. Rather than waiting until you feel ready, you take small, meaningful steps aligned with the life you want to build, even when discomfort shows up.
ACT is often helpful for anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and life transitions. Succoris clinicians adapt the work to your goals and pace.
Commonly helps with
Anxiety
Evidence-based support for anxiety, panic, social anxiety, and worry — with experienced psychologists across our clinics and telehealth.
Depression
Therapy for depression, low mood, and related experiences — working to rebuild motivation, meaning, and connection.
Stress and Burnout
Therapy for chronic stress, exhaustion, and burnout — building sustainable strategies for recovery and prevention.
Chronic Pain
Psychological support for chronic pain conditions — working alongside medical teams to improve function and quality of life.
Psychologists who use this approach
23 Succoris clinicians draw on ACT in their practice.
Accepting new clientsBook with AdriannaAdrianna Soulis
Psychologist
Adrianna is a warm, highly experienced psychologist who brings nearly a decade of clinical practice to helping people feel understood, supported and confident as they work towards meaningful change.
Works from Succoris Tweed Heads
Accepting new clientsBook with AlisonAlison Cole
Psychologist
Alison provides a warm, supportive and collaborative therapeutic approach, creating a safe space where clients feel heard, understood and empowered to work towards meaningful change.
Works from Succoris Tweed Heads
Accepting new clientsBook with BandaiBandai Choi
Clinical Psychologist
Bandai supports individuals across the lifespan with a thoughtful and empathetic approach. He works collaboratively with clients to address complex challenges, tailoring therapy to each person's unique needs.
Works from Succoris Sunbury
Accepting new clientsBook with CarolineCaroline Gorman
Psychologist & Clinic Manager
Caroline is an experienced psychologist who supports clients across the lifespan to work towards meaningful therapeutic outcomes. With more than 15 years of experience, she brings a thoughtful, non-judgemental approach.
Works from Succoris Sunbury
Accepting new clientsBook with BeauDr Beau Gamble
Psychologist & Clinic Manager
Beau is a warm, thoughtful, and experienced psychologist. He brings genuine curiosity to the people he works with, and takes a patient, collaborative approach to therapy.
Works from Succoris Joondalup
Accepting new clientsBook with SusannaDr Susanna Zito
Clinical Psychologist
Dr Susanna Zito offers evidence-based psychological support informed by extensive clinical experience via telehealth. She is an EMDR accredited practitioner and Board Approved Supervisor with a special interest in trauma and humanitarian crisis response.
Telehealth
Accepting new clientsBook with WarwickDr Warwick Hosking
Clinical Psychologist
Warwick has several years' experience working with adolescents and adults in a range of settings. He takes a client-centred, empathic and compassionate approach to building rapport and trust with his clients.
Works from Succoris Bendigo
Accepting new clientsBook with JenJen Bullers
Clinical Psychologist
Jennifer prioritises warm, empathetic, and collaborative therapeutic relationships. She works with adolescents and adults, taking the time to understand each individual's experiences and tailor support to their needs.
Telehealth
Accepting new clientsBook with LianaLiana Harris
Psychologist
Liana provides a gentle and supportive approach, helping clients work through emotional and interpersonal challenges. She works collaboratively with individuals to create a safe and compassionate space.
Works from Succoris Tweed Heads
Accepting new clientsBook with MalwinaMalwina Patton
Psychologist
Malwina provides a safe and supportive space where clients feel heard and understood. She works with individuals across the lifespan, helping people make sense of their experiences and move towards meaningful change.
Works from Succoris Sunbury
Accepting new clientsBook with RyanRyan Dixon
Psychologist
Ryan is a thoughtful and down to earth psychologist who brings a strong blend of clinical expertise, relationship-focused work and real world experience to support individuals and couples through meaningful change.
2 clinics
Accepting new clientsBook with SamanthaSamantha Lintott
Clinical Psychologist
Samantha offers a warm, non-judgemental space for children, adolescents, and adults. She supports clients to navigate emotional and interpersonal challenges using evidence-based, collaborative approaches.
Works from Succoris Sunbury
Accepting new clientsBook with StaceyStacey Howes
Psychologist
Stacey offers a warm, collaborative therapeutic space for adults navigating a range of psychological concerns. She is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for every client.
Works from Succoris Tweed Heads
Accepting new clientsBook with SumairaSumaira Yousaf
Psychologist
Sumaira Yousaf is a registered General Psychologist with extensive international clinical experience across Australia and the UAE. She works with children, adolescents, adults, and families with a warm, strengths-focused approach.
Works from Succoris Sunbury
Dr Catherine Hart
Founder & Clinical Director
Catherine is a Clinical Psychologist, APS Supervisor of the Year (2024), and co-founder of Succoris Psychology Group. She leads clinical standards across the group and is passionate about supporting psychologists to build sustainable, ethical practices.
Dr Kim Mihaljevic
Clinical Psychologist
Kim offers a compassionate, person-centred approach, supporting individuals to improve their emotional wellbeing and live a meaningful life. She works collaboratively with clients aged 15 and over.
Works from Succoris Sunbury
Grace Crowley
Clinical Psychologist & Assessment Liaison
Gracie is a clinically endorsed and AHPRA-registered Clinical Psychologist. She works with clients across the lifespan (ages 8 and above) with a strong passion for supporting people who have experienced complex trauma.
Works from Succoris Bendigo
Kristy Ward
Psychologist & Director
Kristy is a warm, highly experienced psychologist who brings nearly two decades of clinical practice to helping people feel understood, supported and confident as they work towards meaningful change.
2 clinics
Maddy Stenlake
Psychologist & Clinic Manager
Madeleine works integratively with adults supporting a wide range of psychological presentations with care and clarity.
Works from Succoris Tweed Heads
Melanie Shannon
Child & Adolescent Psychologist
Melanie is a child and adolescent psychologist specialising in early intervention. With experience across schools, hospitals, and private practice, she enjoys working collaboratively with children, their families, and the wider network of care.
Works from Succoris Bendigo
Nikita Kettlewell
Clinical Psychologist & Clinic Manager
Nikita works collaboratively with clients to identify goals and strategies for each individual, using a warm, empathic and non-judgemental approach. She has a background in individual and group therapy.
Works from Succoris Bendigo
Sophie Lord
Clinical Psychologist
Sophie provides warm, thoughtful therapy for children, adolescents and adults via telehealth. She is culturally aware, inclusive, and brings genuine curiosity to each person's story.
2 clinics
Tempanie Thomas
Provisional Psychologist
Tempanie has experience working with a diverse range of people seeking support for a variety of mental health challenges including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, and age-related transitions.
Works from Succoris Bendigo
Common questions about ACT
What is acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a psychological approach that builds psychological flexibility: the ability to stay present, accept difficult thoughts and feelings, and move toward what matters to you. Rather than trying to eliminate discomfort, ACT helps you relate to it differently and take values-based action. It draws on mindfulness and is commonly used for anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and life transitions.
How do I know if ACT is right for me?
ACT may suit you if you feel stuck fighting your thoughts or emotions, or if you want to reconnect with what matters despite ongoing discomfort. It is often helpful when avoidance or control strategies have stopped working. ACT is less about analysing the past and more about how you respond in the present. Your psychologist can discuss whether ACT, alone or combined with other methods, fits your goals.
What happens in an ACT session?
ACT sessions are experiential and collaborative. You might practise mindfulness exercises, explore your values, or work on defusion techniques that help you step back from unhelpful thoughts. The focus is on building skills you can use in daily life, not just talking about problems. Sessions are tailored to your goals and usually run around 50 minutes, in person or by telehealth.
Can I access ACT through Medicare at Succoris?
Yes. No referral is needed to book with Succoris. With a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan you may be eligible for Medicare rebates on individual psychology sessions. Several Succoris psychologists use ACT in their practice, available in person across our clinics and by telehealth anywhere in Australia. Get in touch and we can match you with a suitable clinician.
Is ACT the same as mindfulness?
Not exactly. Mindfulness is a skill ACT uses, but ACT is broader. It combines mindfulness with values-based action, acceptance, and techniques for relating differently to thoughts. You can practise mindfulness on its own, while ACT is a full therapeutic framework with specific exercises and goals. Many ACT sessions include mindfulness practice, but the work also focuses on what you want your life to stand for.
Unsure which approach is right for you?
Our team will help you find a psychologist and approach that fits your situation. You can browse clinicians who use ACT, book online, or contact us for a confidential discussion.