Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Ontario
Professional ACT therapy throughout Ontario for anxiety, stress, and meaningful life change. Evidence-based support from a registered psychotherapist specializing in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
When Fighting Your Feelings Isn't Working
Many people seeking ACT therapy in Ontario are tired of the constant battle against anxiety, stress, and difficult emotions. You might recognize these patterns:
- Endless Mental Battles: Spending hours trying to stop anxious thoughts or push away difficult feelings, only to have them return stronger.
- Avoidance Patterns: Skipping important events, avoiding challenging conversations, or limiting your life to avoid triggering emotions.
- Feeling Stuck Despite Success: You're achieving your goals but still feel empty, anxious, or like you're not living authentically.
- Exhaustion from "Managing" Emotions: You're tired of constantly trying to control how you feel instead of actually living your life.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy offers a different path—one that doesn't require you to win the war against your inner experience.
What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy isn't about positive thinking or eliminating negative emotions. It's about developing psychological flexibility—the ability to stay present with your experience and take action guided by your values, even when it's difficult.
Many people find that fighting against difficult emotions can make them feel more intense. ACT offers a research-backed approach that focuses on changing your relationship with these experiences, recognizing that fighting your feelings often makes them stronger, and that avoidance can limit your life.
The Six Core Processes of ACT:
Acceptance
Learning to make room for difficult thoughts and feelings instead of fighting them. This doesn't mean giving up—it means stopping the exhausting battle against your inner experience.
Cognitive Defusion
Changing your relationship with thoughts so they have less power over your actions. You'll learn to see thoughts as mental events, not absolute truths.
Present Moment Awareness
Developing the ability to be fully present rather than lost in worry about the future or regret about the past. This is practical mindfulness, not meditation.
Self-as-Context
Recognizing that you are more than your thoughts, feelings, or past experiences. You have a stable sense of self that can observe and experience without being defined by any single experience.
Values Clarification
Getting clear on what truly matters to you and what kind of person you want to be. Values are your chosen life directions, not goals to be achieved.
Committed Action
Taking concrete steps toward your values, even when it feels uncomfortable. This is where the rubber meets the road—turning insights into real-world change.
Find Support for What You're Facing
Whether it's the Sunday night dread before work, relationships that feel stuck, or anxiety that won't let up - you deserve professional support that actually helps. Here's how ACT can work with your specific challenges.
Anxiety & Stress Management
When your mind won't stop racing at 3am. Practical tools for panic attacks and overwhelm. Finally understand why you worry so much.
Get Anxiety Support in Ontario →
Depression & Mood Support
When nothing feels quite right anymore. More than "just think positive" solutions. Reconnecting with what matters to you.
Depression Support Ontario →
Workplace Stress & Burnout
When Sunday nights fill you with dread. Beyond "just take a vacation" advice. Finding sustainability without quitting everything.
Workplace Stress Support →
Life Transitions & Change
When everything feels like it's shifting. Divorce, job changes, loss - the big stuff. Finding your footing when life feels unrecognizable.
Life Transitions Support →
Relationship & Communication
When the same arguments keep happening. Understanding your patterns in relationships. Actually being heard (and hearing others).
Relationship Support →
Personal Growth & Values
When you're successful but something's missing. Clarifying what truly matters to you. Living authentically instead of just going through the motions.
Personal Growth Support →How We'll Work Together
A straightforward process that respects your time and focuses on real progress.
Initial Connection
We start with a free 15-minute call - just a conversation about what's bringing you to therapy and whether we'd work well together. No pressure, no obligations.
Getting the Full Picture
Our first few sessions are about understanding your whole story - not just the problem, but what makes you you. We'll identify patterns without pathologizing your entire existence.
Building Your ACT Toolkit
This is where we get practical. Using evidence-based ACT approaches, we'll develop strategies that can be helpful when you're in the middle of a panic attack, not just in theory.
Real Change, Real Time
Change isn't linear - some weeks are breakthroughs, others feel stuck. I'm here for all of it, adjusting our approach as life happens.
Why Clients Choose Next Step
Actually Accessible
Therapy from wherever you're comfortable. Flexible scheduling including evenings. Insurance receipts with all the right codes. Same-day responses to messages.
Legitimate Expertise
CRPO registered (the real deal, #10979). Advanced ACT certification (not just a weekend course). Methods backed by actual research. I keep learning so you get better support.
A Different Kind of Space
Zero judgment, genuine support. Safe, confidential environment. Focus on your strengths, not just problems. We build on what's already working for you.
Investment & Insurance Coverage
Session Investment
$175 per 50-minute session
Insurance Coverage
Most extended health plans cover Registered Psychotherapists. I provide detailed receipts with all required codes for you to submit for reimbursement.
Payment
E-transfer or credit card - whatever's easier for you. No awkward "the machine is down" moments.
ACT Therapy Throughout Ontario
ACT therapy works excellently in virtual format, making it accessible to anyone in Ontario. Many ACT techniques and exercises can be practiced effectively through secure video sessions.
Practice in Your Real Environment
You can learn and practice ACT skills in your actual living and working spaces, making the techniques more immediately applicable to your daily life.
Flexible Access
Virtual sessions make it easier to maintain consistency with therapy, which is important for developing psychological flexibility skills.
Comfortable Learning Environment
Many people find it easier to be open and vulnerable when they're in their own space, which can enhance the therapeutic process.
No Geographic Barriers
Whether you're in Toronto, Ottawa, Thunder Bay, or anywhere else in Ontario, you can access specialized ACT therapy without travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does virtual therapy work in Ontario?
The answer is: Virtual therapy sessions are conducted through secure, PIPEDA-compliant video platforms. You can access professional mental health support from anywhere in Ontario with a stable internet connection. Sessions are just as effective as in-person therapy for most concerns.
What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?
In summary, ACT is an evidence-based therapy approach that helps you develop psychological flexibility. Rather than trying to eliminate difficult thoughts and feelings, ACT teaches you to accept them while taking action aligned with your values.
Does insurance cover therapy with a Registered Psychotherapist?
The answer is: Most extended health plans in Ontario cover sessions with Registered Psychotherapists (CRPO). Coverage varies by plan, but typically ranges from $500-2000 annually. We provide detailed receipts for easy reimbursement.
How quickly can I start therapy?
The answer is: After your initial contact, we typically schedule a free 15-minute consultation within 2-3 days. If we're a good fit, first sessions are usually available within one week. Evening and weekend appointments available.
What makes ACT different from other therapies?
In summary, ACT combines evidence-based techniques with genuine understanding of modern challenges like workplace stress, relationship patterns, and personal growth. We focus on practical skills you can use immediately, not endless talking.
How long does ACT therapy typically take?
The answer is: ACT therapy duration varies by individual and goals. Some people see significant improvement in 8-12 sessions, while others prefer longer-term support. We'll work at a pace that feels right for your specific needs.
The Science Behind ACT
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is backed by decades of research and has shown effectiveness for a wide range of mental health and life challenges.
What Research Shows About ACT:
- Effective for anxiety disorders, depression, and stress-related conditions
- Helps reduce psychological inflexibility and avoidance behaviors
- Improves quality of life and overall psychological well-being
- Effective for chronic pain and medical conditions
- Enhances workplace performance and reduces burnout
- Builds long-term resilience and coping skills
- Particularly effective for high-achieving individuals
- Shows lasting benefits that continue after treatment ends
ACT is recognized as an evidence-based treatment by major psychological associations and continues to be supported by ongoing research worldwide. You can feel confident that you're receiving treatment that has helped thousands of people successfully manage their challenges.
Who Benefits from ACT Therapy
High-Achieving Professionals
Those who are successful on paper but struggle with perfectionism, imposter syndrome, or feeling like they're not living authentically despite their achievements.
People Stuck in Avoidance Patterns
Individuals who find themselves avoiding situations, relationships, or opportunities because of anxiety, fear of failure, or other difficult emotions.
Those Seeking Meaningful Change
People who want to live according to their values rather than being driven by fear, anxiety, or external expectations. Those ready to make authentic choices.
Anyone Tired of "Managing" Symptoms
Individuals who want to learn to live fully even when experiencing anxiety, stress, or other challenging emotions. Those ready to stop fighting their inner experience.
Workplace Stress Sufferers
Professionals dealing with burnout, workplace anxiety, difficult colleagues, or feeling trapped in careers that don't align with their values.
Relationship Challenges
People struggling with communication patterns, relationship anxiety, or difficulty maintaining authentic connections while managing their own emotional responses.
ACT is particularly effective for anxiety, depression, workplace stress, relationship issues, chronic pain, and personal growth challenges.
Ready When You Are
The hardest part is reaching out. Once you do, I make everything else simple. Your free 15-minute consultation is just a conversation - no forms, no commitment, no pressure.
Get in Touch
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📞 Direct Line:
Book Consultation
Call or text for immediate response -
✉️ Email:
jesse@nextsteptherapy.ca
Response during business hours -
💻 Session Options:
Virtual throughout Ontario
In-person appointments available
Investment & Insurance
$175 per 50-minute session
Extended health plans accepted
Detailed receipts provided for insurance reimbursement