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Evidence-Based Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy (ACT)

Change the way you think. Change the way you feel. At Valley Spring Recovery Center, ACT is woven into every level of care, helping you build the skills to sustain lifelong recovery.

Understanding ACT

What Is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy?

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is one of the most extensively researched and validated approaches in modern mental health care. At its core, ACT explores the powerful connection between how we think, how we behave, and the outcomes we experience in daily life. Rather than dwelling on the past, ACT focuses on the present, equipping you with practical tools you can use immediately.

"ACT teaches you that the thought itself isn't the problem. It's the relationship you have with that thought and what you do with it that shapes your recovery." -- Valley Spring Clinical Team

At Valley Spring Recovery Center, every therapist on our clinical team is trained in ACT techniques. Whether you're attending individual sessions or participating in group therapy, ACT principles are integrated into your care from day one. Our therapists use ACT to help you identify distorted thinking patterns, known as cognitive distortions, that fuel addictive behaviors and mental health symptoms.

During our structured Mental Health Program, ACT is introduced in Week 1 with foundational concepts and progresses to advanced Cognitive Flexibility techniques by Week 3. This deliberate, phased approach ensures you build skills gradually and can apply them outside the therapy room with confidence.

"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. ACT gives you that lens." -- Evidence-based recovery principle

What makes ACT so effective for addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions is its emphasis on actionable strategies. You won't simply talk about your problems. You'll learn to interrupt automatic negative thoughts, practice behavioral experiments, build distress tolerance, and develop healthier coping mechanisms that replace substance use.

The ACT Journey

Recovery isn't a straight line. ACT guides you through three transformative stages, each building on the last, like stepping stones across a flowing stream.

1

Awareness

Identify automatic negative thoughts, cognitive distortions, and the triggers that set off unhealthy behavior patterns. You learn to observe your mind without judgment.

2

Restructuring

Challenge and reframe distorted thought patterns. Replace "I can't cope without substances" with evidence-based, balanced perspectives that open new possibilities.

3

Growth

Practice and integrate new coping strategies into daily life. Build resilience through behavioral experiments, homework assignments, and real-world skill application.

ACT Across Every Level of Care

At Valley Spring, ACT isn't confined to a single program. It flows through every stage of your recovery journey, adapted to meet you where you are.

Partial Care (PHP)

Intensive daily ACT sessions in our structured day program. Individual and group therapy 5 days a week with our licensed clinicians. The foundation where deep cognitive work begins.

5 days/week, 6 hours/day

IOP (5-Day)

Step-down ACT programming that maintains therapeutic intensity while you begin reintegrating into daily life. Group ACT sessions focus on relapse prevention and coping skill refinement.

5 days/week, 3 hours/day

Virtual IOP

Full ACT programming delivered through secure telehealth. Participate in individual and group ACT sessions from home, maintaining continuity of care without geographic barriers.

3 days/week, virtual sessions

Alumni & Outpatient

Ongoing ACT reinforcement through alumni groups and individual outpatient sessions. Maintain the skills you built, troubleshoot challenges, and prevent relapse with continued clinical support.

1-2 sessions/week, ongoing

Conditions Responsive to ACT

ACT is one of the most versatile therapeutic approaches available, with strong clinical evidence for treating a wide range of substance use and mental health conditions.

The Science Behind ACT

Decades of clinical research confirm ACT as one of the most effective treatments for substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions.

50+
Years of clinical research supporting ACT efficacy
8:1
Client-to-clinician ratio at Valley Spring
80%
Of clients report improved coping skills after ACT
CARF
Accredited facility ensuring highest care standards

Begin Your ACT Journey Today

Our admissions team is available to answer your questions, verify your insurance, and help you take the first step toward lasting change.

(201) 781-8812
First Visit

Your First ACT Session

Your first session is about building the therapeutic relationship and understanding where you are. Your therapist will conduct a thorough assessment, exploring your history with substances and mental health, identifying the thought patterns and triggers that drive your behaviors, and establishing collaborative treatment goals.

  • Comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment
  • Identification of core cognitive distortions
  • Collaborative goal setting for your recovery
  • Introduction to the ACT model and thought records
Building Skills

Building Your ACT Toolkit

As sessions progress, you move from awareness into active skill-building. Each week layers on new techniques, from thought challenging worksheets and behavioral activation to exposure exercises and mindfulness integration. Group ACT sessions allow you to practice skills with peers and gain diverse perspectives.

  • Daily thought record practice and review
  • Behavioral experiments to test assumptions
  • Coping card development for high-risk situations
  • Mindfulness-enhanced ACT techniques
  • Group therapy skills practice and role-playing
Progress

Measuring Your Progress

Recovery isn't abstract at Valley Spring. We use validated clinical assessments to track your cognitive and behavioral changes over time. Your therapist will regularly review treatment progress with you, adjusting the approach as needed and celebrating the milestones you achieve along the way.

  • Regular standardized assessments (PHQ-9, GAD-7, BAI)
  • Collaborative treatment plan updates
  • Relapse prevention planning and rehearsal
  • Transition planning for step-down levels of care
  • Aftercare recommendations and alumni connection

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about ACT at Valley Spring? We've answered the most common ones below.

ACT is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy that focuses on the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. By identifying and challenging distorted thinking patterns, ACT helps you develop healthier ways of coping with stress, cravings, and emotional triggers. It is one of the most widely studied and effective treatments for both addiction and mental health disorders.
The duration of ACT treatment varies based on your individual needs and program level. In our Partial Care program, ACT is incorporated daily over several weeks. As you progress to IOP and outpatient care, sessions continue at a reduced frequency. Most clients engage in active ACT for 8-16 weeks, with ongoing reinforcement available through our alumni program.
Yes. ACT is one of the most extensively researched and effective treatments for substance use disorders. Clinical studies consistently show that ACT reduces substance use, improves coping skills, decreases relapse rates, and helps individuals manage co-occurring mental health conditions. SAMHSA and NIDA both recognize ACT as an evidence-based practice for addiction treatment.
Both. At Valley Spring, every client receives individual ACT sessions with a licensed therapist, plus group ACT sessions where you can practice skills with peers. Our 8:1 client-to-clinician ratio ensures you receive personalized attention in both settings. The combination of individual and group formats maximizes learning and provides diverse perspectives on applying ACT techniques.
Absolutely. Our Virtual IOP program delivers full ACT programming through HIPAA-compliant telehealth technology. You participate in the same evidence-based ACT sessions from the comfort of your home. Research shows that telehealth-delivered ACT is just as effective as in-person treatment for many conditions, and it removes geographic barriers to accessing quality care.
Yes. ACT is a covered service under most major insurance plans. Valley Spring accepts Anthem BCBS, Cigna, Aetna, Highmark, Horizon, UMR, Tricare, Point32Health, Value Options, WellSense NJ Medicaid, and Optum. Our admissions team will verify your specific coverage and explain any out-of-pocket costs before treatment begins. Call (201) 781-8812 for a free insurance check.
Unlike insight-oriented therapies that focus primarily on the past, ACT is present-focused and action-oriented. It teaches you concrete skills you can use immediately, like thought challenging, behavioral activation, and exposure techniques. ACT is structured and goal-directed, meaning you and your therapist set measurable objectives and track progress. It also emphasizes homework and practice between sessions, helping you build lasting habits.
ACT is particularly effective for dual diagnosis because it addresses both substance use and mental health simultaneously. At Valley Spring, our therapists use integrated ACT protocols that target the interconnected thought patterns driving both conditions. For example, someone with depression and alcohol addiction may learn to identify how hopeless thinking triggers drinking urges, then develop alternative coping responses for both the thought and the craving.

Your Recovery Starts With a Single Thought

The thought that brought you to this page is the first step. Let our team help you build on it. Call now or verify your insurance online, and discover how ACT at Valley Spring can reshape your life.

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