Contributions of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Occupational Therapy

Abstract

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a third-generation cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy that aims to increase Psychological Flexibility, the ability to contact the present moment while changing or persisting in behaviors that serve personal values. Occupational Therapy (OT) focuses on meaningful participation in daily occupations to promote autonomy and quality of life. Both ACT and OT share a holistic paradigm, recognizing the interaction of the person within their context. Although research is preliminary, the integration of ACT into OT offers a promising approach to enhance the care provided by occupational therapists, as psychological flexibility skills may help clients engage in meaningful occupations. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of these processes on occupational engagement and quality of life. This work aims to contribute to the Argentine and Spanish-speaking context, where information on this topic is scarce.