The Application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Problem Anger

The goal of this paper is to familiarize clinicians with the use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for problem anger by describing the application of ACT to a case of a 45-year-old man struggling with anger. ACT is an approach and set of intervention technologies that support acceptance and mindfulness processes linked with commitment and behavior change processes. Here, we outline an ACT model of problem anger, extend that analysis to a clinical case, and illustrate ACT intervention strategies and assessment considerations. As will be seen, ACT teaches individuals to “act on life, not an anger” by choosing and committing to live consistently with personal values rather than acting on anger feelings and associated behavioral impulses.