Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) in London
Private ACT Therapy at Regal Private Therapy Practice, Marylebone
What is ACT Therapy?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an extensively researched, evidence-based psychological approach that supports individuals in developing a more balanced relationship with their thoughts and emotions, while moving towards a life that feels meaningful and genuinely aligned with their values.
At Regal Private Therapy Practice, we offer private ACT therapy in London's Harley Street Medical District. ACT is delivered by Dr Ashleigh Powell, a Clinical Psychologist and BABCP-accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist registered with the HCPC, who trained at Royal Holloway, University of London, and King's College London. Our clinic offers discreet, personalised care for individuals seeking clarity, direction, and sustained change.
The Story Behind ACT
Many people come to therapy wanting to reduce or eliminate difficult thoughts and feelings. ACT takes a more nuanced approach.
Rather than attempting to control internal experiences, ACT helps you change your relationship to them, so that they no longer dictate how you live your life.
Developed in the late 1980s by psychologist Steven C. Hayes and colleagues, ACT belongs to a group of approaches known as third-wave cognitive behavioural therapies. Its evidence base is extensive: a review of 20 meta-analyses covering over 12,000 participants found ACT to be effective across anxiety, depression, chronic pain, substance use, and transdiagnostic presentations.
This shift in approach allows you to:
Experience thoughts and emotions without becoming overwhelmed by them Reduce the grip of unhelpful thinking patterns Re-engage with what matters most to you Take meaningful, values-led action
The focus is not simply on feeling better, but on living better, even in the presence of difficulty.
The Six Core Processes of ACT
ACT is built around six interconnected processes, all of which work together to develop what researchers call psychological flexibility. This is not a therapeutic nicety: studies consistently demonstrate that psychological flexibility is a significant predictor of wellbeing, and that its absence is associated with elevated anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life (Hayes et al., 2006).
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Creating space for difficult thoughts and emotions rather than resisting or suppressing them.
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Stepping back from thoughts and recognising them as mental events, not facts. Research indicates that cognitive defusion is a particularly active mechanism of change in ACT for depression.
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Developing the ability to remain grounded in the present, rather than becoming caught in past regret or future worry.
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Cultivating a broader sense of self that is not defined by passing thoughts or feelings.
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Clarifying what is genuinely important to you, personally and professionally, beyond immediate relief from discomfort.
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Taking consistent, purposeful steps in line with those values.
Who can ACT Therapy Help?
ACT is particularly well suited to individuals who feel stuck in patterns of overthinking, avoidance, or internal struggle. It functions as a transdiagnostic approach, meaning it addresses underlying psychological processes rather than targeting a single diagnosis in isolation.
ACT therapy in London at Regal may be appropriate for:
Anxiety and persistent worry
Depression and low mood
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Trauma and post-traumatic stress
Eating disorders and body image concerns
Chronic stress, burnout, or high-performance pressure
A note on OCD: ACT is used as part of an integrated approach to OCD at Regal, alongside NICE-recommended treatments including CBT with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Your therapist will discuss the most appropriate combination for your presentation at assessment.
What to Expect from ACT Therapy at Regal
❋ A Thorough, Individualised AssessmentWe begin by developing a clear understanding of your experiences, challenges, and goals. This is not a tick-box process. It is the foundation of effective therapy.
❋ Developing Awareness and PerspectiveYou will learn to observe thoughts and emotions with greater distance and clarity, reducing their influence over your behaviour.
❋ Clarifying DirectionACT places strong emphasis on identifying your values: what matters most, beyond immediate relief from discomfort. This is often the most personally significant part of the work.
❋ Building Sustainable ChangeOver time, this approach supports a more flexible, resilient way of navigating life. The aim is not the absence of difficulty, but the ability to move through it without losing sight of what matters.
❋ Moving Forward with IntentionWith guidance from your therapist, you will begin to take measured, meaningful steps aligned with those values.
How ACT Differs from CBT and Other Therapies
ACT is part of the third wave of cognitive behavioural therapies, alongside DBT, Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), and mindfulness-based approaches. Many people considering ACT therapy have already tried, or are weighing up, traditional CBT.
The key distinctions are:
Traditional CBT typically seeks to identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts. ACT does not aim to change the content of thoughts, but to change your relationship to them.
ACT emphasises acceptance rather than control, and values-led living rather than symptom elimination as the primary measure of progress.
Mindfulness is central to ACT, but the approach extends well beyond meditation, offering practical tools applicable in everyday life, including at work, in relationships, and under pressure.
Both ACT and CBT are evidence-based. The most appropriate approach, or combination of approaches, will be discussed with you at your initial assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ACT therapy sessions will I need?
This varies by individual. Some people benefit meaningfully from a focused course of eight to twelve sessions. Others prefer a longer engagement. Your therapist will review progress with you throughout.
Can ACT therapy be done online?
Yes. We offer secure video sessions as well as in-person appointments at our Marylebone clinic.
Is ACT better than CBT?
Neither is universally superior. Both are evidence-based and effective across a range of presentations. ACT tends to be particularly helpful where attempts to control or eliminate difficult thoughts have themselves become a source of struggle. Your therapist will help you determine the best fit.
Is ACT available for young people?
Dr Ashleigh Powell works with adults, adolescents, and children. Therapeutic approaches are adapted appropriately for younger clients.
Mindfulness is one component of ACT, not a synonym for it. ACT integrates mindfulness with values clarification and committed action, making it a more structured, goal-oriented framework than mindfulness practice alone.
What is the difference between ACT and mindfulness?
Our Clinicians
DClinPsy | BABCP-Accredited CBT Therapist | HCPC Registered | BPS Member
Dr. Ashleigh Powell
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Dr Ashleigh Powell is Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Regal Private Therapy Practice. She completed her doctoral and postgraduate clinical training at Royal Holloway, University of London, and King's College London. A specialist in ACT, CBT, and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), she works with adults, adolescents, and children across anxiety disorders, OCD, depression, low self-esteem, trauma, and burnout.
DClinPsy, PGDip CBT, MSc Developmental Psychology, BSc Psychology | HCPC Registered | BABCP Accredited | BPS Chartered | Associate Fellow of the BPS
Dr. Bradley Powell
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Dr Bradley Powell is Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Regal Private Therapy Practice, and an award-winning Clinical Psychologist based in Harley Street and Chelsea. His clinical background spans specialist adult and CAMHS NHS services and distinguished private services. He provides CBT and integrative therapy for anxiety, OCD, trauma, panic, and low self-esteem, alongside specialist ADHD and autism assessments using NICE-aligned tools. His academic research has been published in peer-reviewed journals, and he has served as a peer-reviewer for parliamentary briefings.
A Discreet Harley Street Setting
Therapy at Regal Private Therapy Practice is delivered within a confidential, carefully considered environment at our clinic in Marylebone, within London's Harley Street Medical District.
We offer:
One-to-one sessions with HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologists In-person appointments at 4 Devonshire Street, Marylebone, London W1W 5DT Secure online sessions Flexible scheduling, including some evening availability
Where appropriate, ACT can be integrated with other evidence-based approaches, including CBT and CFT.
