Terapijski pristupi
ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) is a contemporary form of cognitive-behavioural therapy developed by Steven C. Hayes and colleagues. ACT is pronounced as a single word, "act", symbolising its…
Zakažite konsultaciju →The more we try to control or eliminate unpleasant thoughts and emotions, the stronger they become. ACT teaches us an alternative path: accepting what we cannot control and focusing on what we can — our actions.
The central goal of ACT — six interconnected processes
Actively and openly receiving thoughts and feelings, without trying to change or suppress them.
The technique of "stepping back" from thoughts — observing thoughts as mental events, not as reality.
Mindfulness — being fully present here and now, without judgement.
You are not your thoughts or feelings — you are the "space" in which they appear.
Chosen life directions — what we want to stand for and how we want to relate to the world.
Taking concrete steps in the direction of your values, even in the presence of unpleasant thoughts.
ACT identifies experiential avoidance as the main source of human suffering — the attempt to avoid, control or eliminate unpleasant inner experiences.
Avoiding situations that trigger anxiety instead of facing them
Using alcohol or drugs to suppress feelings
Excessive thinking or analysis in order to "solve" emotions
Constantly keeping busy so as not to feel unpleasant emotions
Actively suppressing thoughts and feelings
Želite saznati da li je ovaj pristup pravi za vas?
Zakažite konsultaciju→Metaphors and techniques
Imagine you have fallen into a hole and been given a shovel to get yourself out. You dig, but the hole only gets deeper. The shovel (attempts at control) is part of the problem, not the solution. ACT offers an alternative — you stop digging, accept the hole and move in a meaningful direction.
Your unpleasant emotions are like a monster you are pulling against above a chasm. The harder you pull, the harder it pulls. The solution? Drop the rope. The monster is still there, but you are no longer in the struggle.
You are the bus driver. The passengers (your thoughts and emotions) shout out where to go and threaten you. You can listen to all the passengers and drive in circles, or you can acknowledge that they are there but keep driving in the direction you have chosen.
A technique for stepping back from thoughts. Instead of "I am a failure", we practise "I notice that I am having the thought that I am a failure." This small change in wording creates psychological space between us and our thoughts, reducing their influence on behaviour.
ACT uses exercises of conscious presence in the present moment — observing thoughts and feelings without judgement, focusing on sensory experiences, breathing exercises. These exercises help us stay present instead of being trapped in the past or the future.
Through structured exercises, we identify your life values — what truly matters to you in the areas of relationships, work, health and personal growth. These values become your compass for making decisions and guiding behaviour.
ACT has strong scientific support for the treatment of various conditions
Anxiety disorders and fears
Depressive states and loss of motivation
Adjusting to and living with chronic pain
Workplace stress and burnout
Addictive behaviours and habits
Transitions, losses and adjustment
Osjećate da izbjegavate bolne emocije i iskustva?
Zakažite ACT konsultaciju→ACT helps you live meaningfully, regardless of the presence of difficulties
You learn concrete techniques you can apply immediately in everyday life
Numerous studies confirm the effectiveness of ACT for various psychological problems
It can be combined with other therapeutic approaches for better results
The skills you learn stay with you for life
Learning through metaphors and exercises, not just through conversation
What a typical session looks like
Each session lasts 50 minutes and is held once a week. A typical ACT treatment lasts 8–16 sessions, although some clients continue longer to deepen their skills. As you progress, sessions can be spaced out to every 2–3 weeks.
In the first session we explore your previous attempts to solve the problem — everything you have tried and what the results were. We often discover that the very strategies of control are part of the problem. This is not a criticism — it is the beginning of a new approach that opens the door to change.
ACT sessions combine conversation, experiential exercises and metaphors. We work on accepting unpleasant emotions, techniques for defusing from thoughts, mindfulness exercises and clarifying life values. Sessions are interactive and practical — not just talk, but direct experience.
Between sessions you practise the techniques you have learned — mindfulness exercises, writing down values, behavioural experiments in line with your values. ACT emphasises that small, everyday actions in the direction of your values are more important than large, one-off changes.
Sessions are available in person in Banja Luka or online via video call. ACT adapts excellently to the online format because it involves conversation, visualisation exercises and practical tasks that transfer easily to a digital format.
ACT can help you live a meaningful life in line with your values. Book a consultation and take the first step.