Online ACT therapy for teens & young adults
Learn to accept hard feelings and live by what matters
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps teens stop fighting difficult thoughts and feelings. Instead, they focus on living according to what's most important to them.
Insurance accepted. Appointments often available within days.
Covered by insurance · Licensed clinicians · Start within 48 hours
Covered by insurance · Licensed clinicians · Start within 48 hours
teens, & families
ACT for young people, at a glance
Strong results
ACT shows significant improvement for adolescents across anxiety, depression, and chronic pain in peer-reviewed research.
8-20 sessions
Typical course for young people. Mindfulness and values work begin from the very first session.
Ages 12+
Recommended starting age for standard ACT, though adapted versions work with children as young as 7.
What is ACT?
How acceptance and commitment therapy works for young people.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a proven therapy that helps teens be flexible. This means noticing what's happening now, being open to experience, and doing things that matter.
Instead of trying to get rid of hard thoughts and feelings (which usually makes them worse), ACT teaches teens to notice them with curiosity. It teaches them to accept what they can't change and do things that fit their values.
ACT uses stories, exercises, and mindfulness that work well for teens. It helps with identity, purpose, and fitting in.
Evidence-Based
Backed by clinical research and validated outcomes.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a proven therapy that helps teens be flexible. This means noticing what's happening now, being open to experience, and doing things that matter.
Instead of trying to get rid of hard thoughts and feelings (which usually makes them worse), ACT teaches teens to notice them with curiosity. It teaches them to accept what they can't change and do things that fit their values.
ACT uses stories, exercises, and mindfulness that work well for teens. It helps with identity, purpose, and fitting in.
Core ACT processes
The six pillars of psychological flexibility.
Acceptance & Defusion
- Making space for hard feelings without struggling
- Unhooking from thoughts that don't help you
- Seeing thoughts as mind events, not the truth
- Stopping avoidance of uncomfortable feelings
Present Moment & Self-as-Context
- Mindfully noticing what's happening right now
- Flexibly focusing on what matters each moment
- Building a sense of self that's bigger than thoughts
- Noticing what happens without being stuck to it
Values & Committed Action
- Identifying what truly matters to the young person
- Setting goals aligned with personal values
- Taking meaningful action even in the presence of difficulty
- Building patterns of values-consistent behavior
How ACT helps
Evidence-based outcomes for adolescents and young adults.
- Reduces avoiding hard feelings
- Improves flexibility and staying strong
- Lowers anxiety and depression
- Builds a strong sense of self and purpose
- Helps with chronic pain and health worries
- Teaches mindfulness and coping skills for life
Who benefits from ACT
Where ACT has the strongest evidence.
Emotional Challenges
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression and low mood
- Chronic pain and health anxiety
- Perfectionism and academic pressure
Behavioral Patterns
- Avoidance and withdrawal
- Emotional suppression
- Identity and purpose struggles
- Adjustment to chronic illness or disability
Why families choose Emora for ACT
Specialized ACT vs. general providers.
General providers
Therapists trained in ACT with adolescent adaptation expertise
Limited ACT-specific training or certification
Developmentally appropriate metaphors and exercises
Adult ACT applied without age adaptation
Values-based approach that resonates with teens
Generic coping skills without values exploration
Integration with mindfulness and other evidence-based practices
Isolated techniques without the full ACT model
Outcome tracking focused on psychological flexibility
No measurement of psychological flexibility
Get started in minutes
Three simple steps to connect with the right clinician.
- 1
Share what's going on
Tell us about your teen's challenges and what matters to them.
- 2
Verify coverage
See insurance estimates and available appointment times.
- 3
Start therapy
Meet your matched ACT therapist and begin building flexibility.
Frequently asked questions
What parents and young adults ask most about ACT.
Standard ACT usually works for teens 12 and up and young adults. Simpler versions for younger kids have been used with kids as young as 7. Your therapist will match the approach to your teen's age.
CBT focuses on changing your thoughts. ACT focuses on changing how you relate to thoughts. ACT teaches teens to notice and accept hard thoughts without fighting them. Then they focus on actions that matter to them.
No. Acceptance in ACT means acknowledging what's true without unnecessary struggle. It's not giving up. It's an active choice to stop fighting what can't be changed and focus on what matters.
Most teens benefit from 8 to 20 sessions of ACT. Some notice changes in their first few sessions. These skills are made to be practiced and improved your whole life.
Yes. ACT works well with other proven therapies. ACT and exposure therapy work together for anxiety. ACT can help with DBT for trouble managing emotions. Your therapist will create the best mix for your teen.
Real stories of growth
Every session is rated by parents. Our therapists maintain a 4.9+ average, because results matter.
I already see a positive change in my daughter, she seems lighter and happier after only two sessions!
Parent of a 14 year old
Jul 22, 2026
Elsie Peña, LPC
Very nice my son likes his therapist and said she really helps
Parent of a 12 year old
Jul 22, 2026
Rita Montoya-Gomez, LPC
EP really enjoyed the games! I like the calming box idea and the tips to help her during difficult times.
Parent of an 8 year old
Jul 22, 2026
Tracey-Ann Hutchinson, LMHC
She was very understanding and sweet toward my daughter during their session. She was understanding to our reasons for having to switch providers, and made it work very easily with our future schedule.
Parent of a 9 year old
Jul 22, 2026
Korina Herrera, LMHC
Mrs. Johnson is a wonderful and safe space for my daughter’s healing.
Parent of a 9 year old
Jul 22, 2026
Tameka Johnson, LPC
She provided great information, was transparent throughout the entire process, and took the time to make sure she would be a good fit for my daughter before moving forward. That really gave me confidence that her priority was making sure my daughter received the support she needed. My daughter also felt comfortable with her right away, which made the experience even better.
Parent of an 8 year old
Jul 22, 2026
Katennia Thomas, LPC
Great experience - she listened and provided helpful tools
An Adult client
Jul 21, 2026
Treshana Lewis, LCSW
He is so helpful.I mean, I appreciate everything he does for my family
Parent of a 7 year old
Jul 21, 2026
Bart Liles, LPC. LMFT
Lana was amazing with my daughter. My daughter felt heard, validated, and supported.
Parent of a 10 year old
Jul 21, 2026
Lana Rodriguez, LPC
Very open and transparent, didn't tell me what I waned to hear but what I needed to hear. Very comforting and understanding and does what she can to come to a shared agreement about medication route.
An Adult client
Jul 21, 2026
Shannon Anes, PMHNP
Jahn Quattlebaum, our family therapist, has been an absolute gamechanger, by providing us with a safe, compassionate space to communicate and truly hear one another.
An Adult client
Jul 21, 2026
Jahn Quattlebaum, LPC
It was a great session. Nico practiced expressing his feelings to his dad when he felt sad and hurt. He was standing up for himself.
Parent of a 6 year old
Jul 21, 2026
Jacqueline Castaneda, LPC
She was wonderful and my daughter responded well and was able to talk openly. Alyssa gave us some techniques that we both are excited to try. My daughter was nervous before she began but now she is looking forward to her next session.
Parent of a 9 year old
Jul 21, 2026
Alyssa Jimenez-Solis, LCSW
Great listener and helped set realistic goals to help achieve more positive outcomes!
An Adult client
Jul 21, 2026
Paola Oseguera, LPC-Associate
Very personable, makes the session welcoming and comfortable place to be
An Adult client
Jul 21, 2026
Kayla Goodwin, LPC
Teah is very patient and attentive; her demeanor makes it possible to process and communicate in a very comfortable and safe environment.
An Adult client
Jul 21, 2026
Teah Polvado, LCSW
I feel like my therapist is very good at what she does, and is very kind. I go into each meeting expecting a welcoming environment, and I get what I expected and more. (From the 15yo)
Parent of a 15 year old
Jul 20, 2026
MaryBeth Borreca, LCMHC, LMHC
Charlene is always so welcoming and provides helpful strategies to manage ADHD and anxiety. She helps my 9 year old get focused and makes the session bith informative and fun. Her breathing techniques help him relax.
Parent of a 9 year old
Jul 20, 2026
Charlene Childs, LPC-A
Living fully means making room for all of it
ACT teaches young people that a meaningful life includes difficult moments. They gain tools to move forward anyway.
Not sure where to start? Book a clinical matching session.
