ABSTRACT
In Western culture “happiness” tends to be conceived of as an absence of unpleasant internal experiences. The ACC philosophy is that uncomfortable, unwanted thoughts and feelings are an inevitable part of life, and that a life worth living will necessarily means exposure to these things. The natural desire to avoid, push away or struggle with these experiences is what tends to keep people stuck in life. ACC promotes the development of “psychological flexibility” – the ability to fully connect with the present moment in order to engage behavioural patterns supporting movement towards valued ends. Developing this skill is a proven way of helping coaching clients achieve the goals they have set for themselves, and the values they hold as important.
