Implementing ACT as Contextual Behavioral Science

Abstract

Abstract Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) has been explicitly grounded in particular philosophical and theoretical perspectives since its development. At a macro level, these foundations not only contextualize current iterations of ACT (i.e., explaining why ACT is the way that it is), but also guide adaptations and continued refinement of ACT (i.e., to shape how ACT is continually evolving). However, there are also important implications for moment-to-moment implementation of ACT. This article provides a brief review of early foundations with explicit implications for ACT implementation, including both contextualism and its relationship with other world views, and behavior analysis as grounded in both radical behaviorism and interbehavioral psychology. Modern contextual behavioral science (CBS) is described in detail as behavior analysis with functional contextual underpinnings. Also described are the philosophical assumptions that characterize this perspective, along with the implications of these assumptions for ACT therapists. This article seeks to support ACT therapists in implementing ACT with intention and effectiveness.