ACT represents the most current and innovative third generation behavior therapy available for therapists. ACT de-emphasizes elimination of anxiety as a therapeutic goal. It brings renewed attention to acceptance, mindfulness, and destructive language conventions and self-regulation tendencies that keep people stuck. At its core, ACT for anxiety disorders emphasizes helping clients clarify their values-what they want their lives to be about-and then committing to move toward those values.

Indicated particularly for those with social anxiety, including school refusal. If focuses on interpersonal skills, distress tolerance, emotional regulation and mindfulness, thus facilitating more robust and fulfilling social interactions and self-perception.

A treatment method available for a variety of anxiety disorders, especially Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The method is based on the notion that a therapeutic effect is achieved as clients confront their fears and discontinue their escape response. An example would be of a person who fears touching door knobs. The person would carry out a program or exposure to their feared stimulus (touching a doorknob) while refusing to engage in any safety behaviors (e.g., hand washing). Exposure therapy for phobia operates in much the same way as ERP by exposing the individual to the feared object until symptom reduction is achieved.

Mindful Based Cognitive Therapy increases one’s social contact with the present moment. This serves to reduce the symptoms of anxiety. Anxious thoughts and symptoms are typically future-based, and often beg the questions, “what if?” Increasing one’s contact with the current moment serves to quiet worry about what is going to happen in the future. Like all modes of contextually based treatment strategies, MBCT encourages clients to accept and endure unpleasant moments as part of life.