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.
ACT for young people, at a glance
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.
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.
We love Amanda! It's been over a month- seeing positive results
Parent of an 11 year old
1 hour ago
Amanda Crabtree, LMHC
Evelyn said she was really happy with the session.
Parent of a 9 year old
6 hours ago
Dr. Maritza Rodriguez, LPC-S, CCST
I like the fact that she suggested that we should do ADHD testing and I like that she was asking him questions that were making him think a little about his answers. It was very helpful and it sparked discussion for us afterwards
Parent of a 12 year old
7 hours ago
Shannon Anes, PMHNP
I love Quenton Kayd! I’ve had 18 sessions with him and he has helped me so much! He also takes the time to see things from my perspective and it means so much!
An Adult client
10 hours ago
Quenton Kayd, LPC
Ann is an excellent therapist. She’s been helping my daughter through her anxiety and her thoughtful and insightful guidance has had a meaningful impact on my daughter and managing her anxiety.
Parent of an 11 year old
22 hours ago
Ann Marie Driver, LCMHC-A
She’s very charismatic and easy to talk to. My daughter told me she likes her
Parent of a 13 year old
1 day ago
Katherine Vasquez Lugo, RMHCI
Catherine was warm and welcoming!
Parent of a 10 year old
1 day ago
Catherine Campos, LCSW
My therapist was absolutely amazing I already can tell she is going to help me a lot!
An Adult client
1 day ago
Laura Doocy, LPC-A
Milton is very understanding and listened to my son rattle on and on lol and they're was no rush.
Parent of an 11 year old
1 day ago
Milton Hernandez, LPC
JoeAnn Allen gave us key ways to handle some problems, we appreciate her very much
Parent of a 14 year old
1 day ago
JoeAnn Allen, RMHCI
Rating on behalf of my daughter. She's always in a better mood when she talks with Korina! ✨
Parent of a 14 year old
1 day ago
Korina Herrera, LMHC
My son connects so well with Nathalie. He was skeptical at first now he sets up 10 mind before the session in anticipation for their talk time.
Parent of a 10 year old
2 days ago
Nathalie Fernandez Mendez, LCMHC-A, LMHC
Richard was excellent during my child´s session today. He was very informative, attentive, and truly focused on our specific needs. You can tell he genuinely cares and takes the time to listen and understand. We’re looking forward to future appointments and seeing growth with his support.
Parent of a 6 year old
2 days ago
Richard Reyes, LPC-Associate
The coping mechanism you gave me felt extremely helpful
An Adult client
2 days ago
Marise Jimenez, RMHCI
Very attentive and caring. Took the time out to help us find the right therapist.
Parent of a 16 year old
2 days ago
Jennifer Guzman, LPC
great person easy to talk to. very attentive.
An Adult client
2 days ago
Dr. Joel Bell, PsyD
Sarah is incredible with my 7 year old. So great at building rapport and bringing in coping strategies.
Parent of a 7 year old
2 days ago
Sarah Newton, LMSW
Helped my child open up and feel more self confidence
Parent of a 6 year old
2 days ago
Korina Herrera, LMHC
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.
