Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) in Spain: One-to-One Care for Anxiety, Depression & Addiction

Oasis Premium Recovery offers private Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in Spain for adults who want grounded, one-to-one guidance in a calm setting. This explainer shows how ACT works at Oasis, who it helps, and how we blend it with DBT, TRE, MET, and CBT to create change that holds in daily life. For a sense of the environment and rhythm, see The One-to-One Residence and Life at Oasis, or explore pathways via The Signature Experience.

What Is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy?

ACT helps you respond to difficult thoughts and feelings with openness, perspective, and purposeful action. Rather than trying to eliminate discomfort, ACT builds psychological flexibility so you can keep moving toward what matters even when the mind is noisy. The work centres on six processes: acceptance, cognitive defusion, present-moment awareness, self-as-context, values, and committed action.

At Oasis, ACT is delivered one-to-one. We keep it practical and compassionate. You will learn how to unhook from harsh thoughts, open up to sensations safely, and translate your values into repeatable steps that fit real life.

Who ACT Helps

ACT is a good fit when you want less struggle with inner experience and more movement toward a meaningful life. We often use ACT for:

• Anxiety with worry spirals, panic cues, and avoidance
• Low mood, loss of motivation, and self-criticism
• Trauma-linked patterns such as vigilance, shutdown, and shame
• Alcohol use concerns and substance use maintained by urges and rigid rules
• Disordered eating with body image pain, rituals, and control cycles
• OCD and perfectionism where control is costing too much

For a broader view of how we work across areas, see What We Treat, Addiction Treatment, Mental Health Treatment, and Eating Disorders Treatment.

The Six Core Processes of ACT, Explained Simply

• Acceptance: making room for difficult feelings without fighting them, so energy can shift to what you care about.
• Cognitive defusion: unhooking from thoughts by noticing them as words and images, not facts that must be obeyed.
• Present-moment awareness: returning attention to now, where choice is possible.
• Self-as-context: experiencing a steady sense of awareness that can hold many thoughts and feelings without being defined by them.
• Values: clarifying what matters across domains such as health, relationships, contribution, and growth.
• Committed action: taking small, consistent steps that express values, even when discomfort shows up.

How ACT Works at Oasis: One-to-One, Measured, and Practical

We begin with a careful map of your life as it is now. Together we identify areas that matter, where avoidance or control are costing you freedom. You will learn short exercises for defusion and acceptance, paired with values mapping and tiny, repeatable actions. The goal is not to feel good first. The goal is to do what matters in a kind, sustainable way, while learning to carry feelings with less struggle.

• Values first: define what you want your life to stand for this year and this month.
• Unhooking skills: name thoughts as thoughts, label stories, and choose actions that fit values.
• Willingness: open up to safe amounts of discomfort while you act on purpose.
• Micro-actions: build momentum with steps so small you can repeat them on hard days.
• Review and refine: track what helps, simplify what does not, and keep moving.

ACT for Anxiety and Avoidance

When anxiety narrows life, ACT teaches you to feel fear and move anyway, in small, planned steps. You will practice defusion from frightening predictions, open up to bodily sensations safely, and build willingness for brief exposures that serve your values. We keep tasks short and repeatable so confidence grows without overwhelm.

ACT for Low Mood and Self-Criticism

ACT breaks the loop where low mood leads to withdrawal and life shrinks. We pair values mapping with tiny actions that reintroduce movement, connection, and contribution. You will learn to notice self-criticism as a story and choose acts of care that realign you with what matters, even when motivation is fragile.

ACT for Trauma-Linked Patterns

For trauma, the first aim is stability. We introduce present-moment anchoring, gentle acceptance for bodily cues, and skills to unhook from shame narratives. As steadiness improves, we link values to safe actions that broaden life again. Many guests benefit from combining ACT with TRE to support nervous system regulation.

ACT for Alcohol, Substances, and Compulsive Patterns

We map the urge cycle, then practice defusion from trigger thoughts, acceptance of craving sensations, and fast values-based alternatives. MET is often blended here to deepen motivation. You will leave with a short list of actions for high-risk moments and a review rhythm that keeps you honest without shame.

ACT for Eating Concerns and Body Image Pain

We unhook from body-image rules and food stories, increase willingness to feel difficult sensations, and return action to values like health, presence, and relationships. Where needed, we coordinate gently with nutrition support. Creative adjuncts such as Art Therapy and Sound Therapy can help reduce overwhelm so ACT skills land.

What a Private ACT Session Looks Like

• Arrive and anchor: brief present-moment exercise to settle attention.
• Name the story: identify a dominant thought pattern or rule that is costing freedom.
• Practice defusion: short exercise to see thoughts as thoughts.
• Values check: link the situation to what matters most right now.
• Choose one act: a small step that expresses values in the next 24 to 48 hours.
• Review: plan support, anticipate barriers, and agree a quick reflection method.

Weekly Rhythm and Pacing

A steady week might include three ACT hours, one skills session from DBT or CBT, and a short TRE block for regulation. Between sessions you practice micro-actions, record brief notes, and notice when the mind hooks you. Evenings are kept simple to consolidate learning.

Combining ACT With Other Methods

ACT integrates well across our approach. DBT strengthens emotion regulation and boundaries. CBT adds structure for targeted belief testing. MET builds momentum when ambivalence is high. TRE supports regulation so willingness is possible. Selected adjuncts such as Reiki and Energy Healing or Art Therapy may be introduced when they help you stay engaged.

Measuring Progress Without Perfectionism

We look for practical signs: less avoidance, more action in valued areas, quicker recovery after setbacks, and a kinder inner tone. You do not need to feel calm to live well. You need skills to act with discomfort present.

Programmes and Setting

Choose the pathway that fits your responsibilities and pace. Each option keeps privacy, predictability, and one-to-one time at the centre.

• The Foundation Retreat to stabilise routines and begin values-based action
• The Restorative Path for steady progress with balanced support
• The Regenerative Stay for deeper change and consolidation
• The Signature Experience for the highest level of privacy and tailoring

For focused work without a full residential stay, see One-to-One Therapy in Spain. Selected bespoke services can be added when appropriate.

Aftercare and Continuity

Change holds when support continues in simple, repeatable ways. Before departure we plan your first 30, 60, and 90 days, including session frequency, quick willingness practices, and values-based actions that protect progress. Ongoing options include Lifetime Aftercare, Lifetime Aftercare Support, and Life Skills and Relapse Prevention.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will ACT make my anxiety go away?

ACT is not about eliminating feelings. It teaches you to unhook from thoughts, open up to sensations safely, and act on values. Anxiety often reduces as struggle drops, but action improves first.

What if my thoughts feel too loud to ignore?

We do not ignore them. We practise defusion so thoughts are seen as thoughts, not orders. Short exercises and repetition make this workable in daily life.

Is ACT compatible with CBT or DBT?

Yes. ACT integrates well with CBT and DBT. Each method supports different parts of change.

How quickly will I notice progress?

Many people feel more able to act within one to two weeks. We focus on small wins that build confidence without pressure.

Do I have to talk about trauma in detail?

No. We move at your pace. ACT gives you tools to relate differently to difficult memories without forced disclosure.

Next Steps

If you want to explore private ACT in Spain, speak with our team or read more on why private therapy in Spain can be the right setting for focused one-to-one work.

International & regional access

Early in your research? Start with private rehab in Spain and compare UK vs Spain. If you prefer individual work, see one-to-one therapy in Spain and why private therapy in Spain. For market context, browse luxury private settings, treatment centres across Spain, and our overview of private rehab options across Spain. We regularly welcome guests from abroad, including private stays for clients from the Middle East, US-based professionals, and Nordic neighbours via Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. For Francophone travellers see private rehab for clients from France.

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