Rather than changing thought patterns, ACT encourages people to accept the discomfort that some thoughts elicit, and understand that having uncomfortable thoughts can sometimes be out of a person’s control. ACT then invites clients to use mindfulness skills to decide whether acting on a thought is or is not in alignment with your goals and values.  ACT is a particularly effective approach when managing “sticky” thoughts that occur in obsessive thinking, OCD and Chronic illness/pain.