If you or your loved one is struggling with anxiety or depression, every day can feel like a challenge. Worries, negative thoughts, or low mood can negatively interfere with work, school, relationships, and the ability to enjoy everyday activities. While many people try to “get rid of” difficult thoughts or feelings, this often only makes them stronger.

That’s where Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) comes in. At Suntree Wellness in Milton, Ontario, our psychologists provide ACT as part of therapy for adults, teens, and children living with anxiety, depression, and related challenges.

What Is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?

ACT is a form of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) that helps people respond differently to difficult thoughts and feelings. Instead of fighting with anxiety or sadness, ACT teaches skills to accept inner experiences, stay present in the moment, and take meaningful actions aligned with your values.

The goal of ACT isn’t to eliminate anxiety or depression entirely, but to reduce their control over your life so you can focus on what matters most. While it would be nice if we could make depression and anxiety go away completely, this is unfortunately not realistic.

ACT is particularly helpful for individuals who have experienced long-lasting depression and/or anxiety.

How ACT Helps with Anxiety

Anxiety can make it hard for people to live the life they want due to fear of negative outcomes and challenges managing anxious feelings. ACT supports clients with anxiety in several ways, some examples are provided below:

• Be Present – learning to notice anxious thoughts about the past and future, without getting caught up in them in the present, which can include grounding exercises.

• Open Up – use strategies for creating distance from worries (thinking “I’m having the thought that something bad will happen” rather than “Something bad will happen”).

• Do What Matters – facing fears in small steps while also pursuing meaningful goals, instead of avoiding life due to anxiety.

This approach helps clients reduce avoidance behaviours and feel more confident while handling uncertainty.

How ACT Helps with Depression

With depression, people often feel stuck in patterns of withdrawal, rumination, and loss of motivation. ACT supports clients with depression in several ways, some examples are provided below:

• Do What Matters – increasing participation in daily activities based on what matters most to the person (self-care, family, work, etc.).

• Open Up – this includes being compassionate to yourself, which helps folks be more motivated for change.

• Be Present – staying grounded in the present rather than dwelling on past regrets and focusing on positive things happening currently.

Over time, ACT helps people re-engage with life and take steps toward what gives them purpose, even while experiencing difficult emotions.

What ACT Therapy Looks Like

ACT sessions with a psychologist in Milton may include:

• Mindfulness and grounding exercises.

• Identifying unhelpful thought patterns and practicing defusion.

• Clarifying personal values and setting small, meaningful goals.

• Building psychological flexibility — the ability to shift attention, adapt to challenges, and choose behaviours that align with long-term wellbeing.

ACT is an active, collaborative therapy, meaning you’ll be learning and practicing skills both in session and between sessions.

ACT with Children, Teens, and Adults

At Suntree Wellness, our psychologists adapt ACT strategies to fit each client’s age and stage of life:

• Children – sessions may involve playful activities, metaphors, and simple mindfulness exercises.

• Teens – therapy often includes discussions about identity, independence, and peer relationships, using ACT to reduce anxiety and depression while building resilience.

• Adults – sessions may focus on balancing work, relationships, and personal wellbeing, and using ACT to manage stress, mood, and life transitions.

Why Choose Therapy in Milton, Ontario?

If you’re searching for therapy in Milton, you want support that feels both professional and local. At Suntree Wellness, our psychologists are trained in ACT and other evidence-based therapies, and we offer both in-person therapy in Milton and virtual therapy across Ontario.

We understand the unique pressures facing families and individuals in our community, and we work collaboratively to help you build skills that last well beyond therapy.

Next Steps

If anxiety or depression is holding you back, know that you don’t have to go through it alone. ACT can help you regain a sense of direction and live a life that feels meaningful and fulfilling.

📞 Contact Suntree Wellness in Milton, Ontario today to book a consultation with a psychologist and learn more about how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can support you or your family.

Call us at ‪(905) 288-7169‬ or email us at info@suntreewellness.com to schedule a free 15-minute consultation or book an appointment.