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.
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.
The testing process for my child with Dr. Bunker went really well. Just like how she explained it would go.
Parent of a 7 year old
Jun 6, 2026
Dr. Nacona Bunker, PsyD
Korina has been very helpful with the therapy process for my child.
Parent of a 7 year old
Jun 6, 2026
Korina Herrera, LMHC
Korina is very patient even when my child is having a difficult time with the therapy session.
Parent of a 7 year old
Jun 6, 2026
Korina Herrera, LMHC
This was our initial visit with Dr. Bunker. She did a great job with explaining how the process would go. She also had great interaction with my child during the visit.
Parent of a 7 year old
Jun 6, 2026
Dr. Nacona Bunker, PsyD
Korina has been doing a great job with helping my child!
Parent of a 7 year old
Jun 6, 2026
Korina Herrera, LMHC
She was really extensive and didn’t leave anything out.
An Adult client
Jun 6, 2026
Dr. Apree Clicque, PsyD
The session was great! All of our concerns were addressed, we felt very heard, and it was an overall great experience
Parent of a 10 year old
Jun 6, 2026
Deann Harrison, PMHNP-BC
Ms Richardson took her time to listen to my son's perspective and concerns as well as my own. She is open-minded and patient. We appreciated her help today
Parent of a 15 year old
Jun 6, 2026
Runako Richardson, PMHNP
When she allowed both of us to speak and explained the next steps for our meeting in the future that was great . Thank you.
Parent of a 7 year old
Jun 6, 2026
Korina Herrera, LMHC
My daughter feels Dr. Jon has helped her more than any of her previous therapists. He does a great job with her.
Parent of a 10 year old
Jun 6, 2026
Dr. Jon Skidmore, PsyD
Dr. Williams truly gets me and he makes me feel like I can take care of myself without having to worry about it.
An Adult client
Jun 5, 2026
Franklin Williams, LCMHC
Navigating a separation from my spouse including children. Victoria does a great job helping us work through and process this.
An Adult client
Jun 5, 2026
Victoria Coffman, LPC-A
Elise is going above and beyond to understand my daughter so she can help her in the best way possible.
Parent of an 11 year old
Jun 5, 2026
Elise McDonald, LPC
Catherine was kind, empathetic, and a great listener. She balanced hearing our thoughts as parents while also ensuring our child was heard and valued.
Parent of a 12 year old
Jun 5, 2026
Catherine Campos, LCSW
So kind and a great listener. She has great patience with him.
Parent of a 10 year old
Jun 4, 2026
Erica Richardson, LCSW
My daughter instantly connected! She’s very excited to work with her
Parent of a 13 year old
Jun 4, 2026
Brianna Doran, LMHC
Dr.Bowes is awesome and a personable provider.
An Adult client
Jun 4, 2026
Dr. Jaclyn Bowes, PsyD
My son feels that this Dr is a great fit. First session and he’s already doing the 10 finger breathing exercise while feeling overwhelmed.
Parent of an 11 year old
Jun 4, 2026
Dr. Jon Skidmore, PsyD
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.
