Theoretical Foundations of ACT and Its Relationship to Religion and Spirituality
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a modern, empirically-based psychological intervention developed primarily during the late twentieth century, rooted in the traditions of behaviorism and cognitive-behavioral therapy, but with distinctive philosophical underpinnings and process-oriented focus. The central aim of ACT is to increase psychological flexibility through six interrelated core processes: acceptance, cognitive defusion, present-moment awareness, self-as-context, values clarification, and committed action. Although ACT is fundamentally grounded in scientific psychological theory—particularly functional contextualism and Relational Frame Theory (RFT)—its conceptual architecture exhibits a number of striking parallels with religious and spiritual philosophies, particularly those emphasizing acceptance, mindfulness, and value-driven living.
From its inception, ACT has integrated techniques and ideals that are reminiscent of spiritual and religious practices without making metaphysical or doctrinal commitments. The therapy emphasizes processes like mindful awareness, acceptance of suffering, the quest for meaning, and purposeful action, which resonate with the core tenets of many spiritual traditions. In ACT, spirituality is viewed as a potential resource for meaning, resilience, and psychological growth, and its frameworks have demonstrated the capacity to respectfully welcome the spiritual lives of clients into clinical work.
Parallels between ACT and Specific World Religions
Buddhism
A particularly well-established association exists between ACT and Buddhism. Both frameworks share an acknowledgment of suffering as an inherent part of human existence (the First Noble Truth in Buddhism) and emphasize the experiential processing of pain rather than avoidance. ACT mirrors the Buddhist practice of mindfulness and “letting go” of attachment to internal experiences such as thoughts, emotions, and desires, paralleling the Second and Third Noble Truths. Defusion and acceptance—the processes of seeing thoughts as transient and welcoming them without resistance—align closely with Buddhist meditation techniques and the cultivation of equanimity. However, ACT diverges by maintaining a psychological model of self (“self-as-context”) as a functional, pragmatic observer, which is distinct from the Buddhist doctrine of “no-self” or “anatta” that suggests the ultimate absence of a permanent, independent self.
Christianity
ACT also resonates with several Christian teachings, especially the emphasis on acceptance, surrender to divine will, living according to one’s values, and present-moment focus. For example, the process of acceptance in ACT is linked to the Christian idea of surrendering to God, trusting in divine providence, and finding peace in relinquishing personal control. The focus on living out values in ACT reflects the Christian call to embody faith through everyday actions inspired by biblical teachings and virtues. Educational resources and therapeutic programs have been developed to explicitly integrate ACT with Christian theology, offering faith-based metaphors and experiential exercises for Christian clients. This integration facilitates therapy that honors clients’ spiritual commitments, using practices such as biblical reflection, Christian meditation, and the cultivation of psychological flexibility as a means of living out faith authentically in the face of suffering or doubt.
Islam
Islamic traditions often emphasize patience (sabr), endurance, acceptance of divine decree, and values-based living, themes that are mirrored in the ACT approach. In clinical practice with Muslim populations, ACT has been adapted to incorporate Islamic narratives, spiritual practices (such as prayer and meditation), and scriptural reflections that support acceptance, mindfulness (muraqaba), and committed action consistent with Islamic teachings. Studies have demonstrated improved outcomes where ACT interventions are tailored to reflect Islamic beliefs about suffering, purification, and resilience, providing meaningful motivation for change while maintaining scientific rigor.
Application of ACT in Multi-Religious and Spiritual Contexts
ACT's functional, process-based approach allows it to be customized for clients from various spiritual and religious backgrounds without imposing any particular worldview. Therapists trained in ACT are encouraged to explore clients' own faith traditions as sources of meaning, acceptance, and value clarification, enabling treatment to be congruent with religious or spiritual identity. Clinical and qualitative research has shown that integrating clients’ spiritual beliefs into ACT can bolster engagement, bolster adherence, and increase the effectiveness of therapy. Such adaptations may include the use of prayer, ritual, religious metaphors, and faith-based community resources as experiential exercises or adjunctive supports.
Increasingly, resources are available for the integration of ACT with religious traditions beyond Christianity, Buddhism, and Islam; the therapy can be adapted for Jewish, Hindu, and indigenous spiritual traditions through collaborative exploration of values, meanings, and cultural idioms of suffering and healing. Central to all adaptations, however, is the respect for the client's faith as a source of resilience, never as an object of debate or proselytization.
Transition from Philosophical Parallels to Scientific Psychological Application
Originally, ACT’s founders recognized the conceptual resonance between their approach and spiritual philosophies but consciously developed the model as a secular, empirically validated form of psychotherapy. The philosophical foundations of ACT—functional contextualism and RFT—were chosen for their scientific utility in constructing a rigorous psychological system, rather than to make metaphysical or spiritual claims. As a scientific model, ACT emphasizes evidence-based interventions, observable processes, and testable outcomes, distinguishing it from spiritual or religious doctrines that may rely on faith, revelation, or tradition.
ACT as a Bridge between Spirituality, Religion, and Psychological Science
One of the hallmarks of ACT is its capacity to serve as a bridge between psychological science and the spiritual or religious dimensions of human life. By focusing on universal human processes such as acceptance, present-moment awareness, and values-based action, ACT honors clients' worldviews while remaining grounded in psychological science. Its openness to religious and spiritual content as legitimate and potent resources—not mere symptoms or obstacles—addresses long-standing tensions between science and spirituality in clinical practice.
Furthermore, empirical studies have demonstrated that when ACT is culturally and spiritually adapted—incorporating prayers, scriptural study, and religious coping strategies—it can more effectively engage clients and produce superior outcomes in select domains, particularly regarding problems with a strong spiritual or religious component. Nonetheless, ACT retains its scientific identity: all spiritual adaptations are subject to empirical validation and ongoing refinement.
Conclusion
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, while developed as a scientific psychological approach, has deep philosophical and practical resonances with numerous religious and spiritual traditions. Its six core processes align closely with the teachings of Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and other world religions, particularly in areas of acceptance, mindfulness, and value-driven living. However, ACT is distinct in its empirical focus and avoidance of metaphysical assertions, relying on scientifically tested interventions and outcome measures. Over time, ACT has demonstrated its adaptability by integrating spiritual beliefs into therapeutic practice without compromising scientific standards, making it a uniquely flexible, respectful, and evidence-based approach suitable for diverse faith and non-faith contexts. This integrative stance positions ACT as both a scientifically rigorous therapy and a bridge to the profound existential resources offered by the world’s varied religious and spiritual traditions.
