In ACT, negative thoughts and feelings are viewed as a normal part of life rather than aspects of experience that need to be ‘managed’ or ‘done away with’. People are taught to accept that regardless of their hardships and how they feel about them, they can commit to making changes in their behaviours.

Acceptance, mindfulness and clarification of values are seen as key psychological tools in ACT. Strategies such as mindfulness help with the process of acceptance, and through clarifying values people are better able to commit to engaging in activities that bring a sense of meaning and purpose, which in turn, promotes psychological resilience and adjustment to brain injury.