Welcome to the third lesson in our introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. In our previous lesson, we explored the concept of psychological flexibility, the central goal of ACT. We saw it as the ability to "be present, open up, and do what matters," and we were introduced to the Hexaflex model as a visual map of the six core skills that build this flexibility.
Today, our focus is to move from that bird's-eye view and zoom in on each of the six points of the Hexaflex. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to identify and define the six core processes of ACT: acceptance, cognitive defusion, being present, self-as-context, values, and committed action. This will provide you with the foundational vocabulary and conceptual framework for the rest of our work together.
The Hexaflex: A Model of Interconnected Processes
In the last lesson, we introduced the Hexaflex model. Let's look at it again. Think of this not just as a collection of six separate skills, but as a dynamic system where each component influences and supports the others. Your background in designing complex systems like those in machine learning provides a useful parallel; just as components of an ML pipeline are interconnected, these six processes work together to produce psychological flexibility.
To begin, let's establish a clear, foundational understanding of each process. We will return to the resource ACT Made Simple, which we used in the previous lesson, for a concise definition of each component.
This reading will provide you with the standard definition and a brief, memorable catchphrase for each of the six core ACT processes.
In the PDF, please find the heading "The Six Core Therapeutic Processes of ACT" in Chapter 1. Read the definitions for each of the six processes, starting from this section on the Present Moment and continuing through the description of Committed Action.
An Integrated Walkthrough of the Model
Having read the formal definitions, let's explore how these processes relate to one another in a more dynamic way. The following video provides an excellent, structured walkthrough of the entire Hexaflex. The presenter, Nesh Nikolic, explains each process and then demonstrates how they interact using a practical example, which helps to solidify the concept of the Hexaflex as an integrated system.
This video offers a comprehensive tour of the six core processes, explaining each one and then showing how they work together to create psychological flexibility.
Please watch the entire video (from start to finish). As you watch, notice how the presenter groups the processes and pay particular attention to the extended example of the socially anxious young man, which illustrates how all six processes (or their absence) play out in a real-world scenario.
Grouping the Processes: A Functional Framework
As you saw in the video and in the ACT Made Simple reading, while there are six distinct processes, they can be functionally grouped into three pairs. This "Triflex" model provides a useful, higher-level structure for understanding how ACT works. It organizes the six skills into three core activities: Opening Up, Being Present, and Doing What Matters.
Let's briefly define these groupings:
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Openness (Opening Up): This involves creating space for our internal experiences. It is comprised of:
- Acceptance: Making room for difficult feelings, sensations, and urges without struggling against them.
- Cognitive Defusion: Stepping back from unhelpful thoughts, memories, and images, seeing them as what they are (internal events) rather than what they say they are (objective truths).
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Awareness (Being Present): This involves connecting with the here and now, both internally and externally. It is comprised of:
- Contact with the Present Moment: Paying full attention to your experience in the now, with curiosity and without judgment.
- Self-as-Context (The Observing Self): Connecting with the part of you that is the silent observer of your experiences, distinct from the thoughts, feelings, and roles you have.
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Engagement (Doing What Matters): This involves clarifying what is important to you and acting on it. It is comprised of:
- Values: Choosing your "life directions"—what you want to stand for and how you want to behave on an ongoing basis.
- Committed Action: Taking effective, values-guided action, even in the face of obstacles and discomfort.
This three-part structure—Accept, Choose, Take Action (ACT)—provides a simple yet powerful summary of the entire model.
The Six Processes in a Real-Life Example
Theory is useful, but seeing how these processes apply to a concrete situation is key. The following reading provides a clear, step-by-step example of how all six skills can be applied to a common human worry: loneliness and a lack of friends.
The Six Core Processes of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: A Simple Guide - LifeZen Publications
This resource offers a concise and practical illustration of how the six processes work together to address a specific personal challenge.
Please find the heading "ACT Six Core Skills: Real-Life Example" and read the entire section. Notice how each process offers a specific, constructive step in response to the initial feeling of loneliness.
Conclusion
In this lesson, we have defined the six core processes that form the foundation of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. You can now identify and describe each component of the Hexaflex, understanding its individual role and its place within the larger system of psychological flexibility.
The key takeaways are:
- The six core processes of ACT are Acceptance, Cognitive Defusion, Contact with the Present Moment, Self-as-Context, Values, and Committed Action.
- These processes are not isolated techniques but are interconnected parts of a whole system designed to build psychological flexibility.
- They can be functionally grouped into three pairs, representing the core actions of Opening Up (Acceptance & Defusion), Being Present (Present Moment & Self-as-Context), and Doing What Matters (Values & Committed Action).
Having now mapped out the entire model, we are ready to begin our deep dive into the practical application of these skills. In our next lesson, we will begin Module 2 by focusing on the "Openness" processes: Acceptance and Defusion. We will move beyond definitions to explore specific techniques for making room for difficult emotions and unhooking from unhelpful thoughts.