Therapist Development Center Practice Exam 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The correct answer, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), is centered around the integration of mindfulness and acceptance strategies as fundamental components of the therapeutic process. ACT is designed to help individuals accept their thoughts and feelings instead of fighting against them or feeling overwhelmed. Through mindfulness practices, clients learn to observe their thoughts without judgment and develop a greater awareness of their internal experiences.

In ACT, clients are encouraged to commit to taking action in alignment with their values, even in the presence of difficult emotions or thoughts. This focus on acceptance and mindfulness enables clients to increase psychological flexibility, which is the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and engage more fully in life, rather than being restricted by their thoughts and feelings.

While Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) employs various strategies to challenge negative thought patterns, it does not emphasize acceptance to the same degree as ACT. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) also incorporates mindfulness but is more focused on emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness, particularly in the context of borderline personality disorder. Attachment-Based Therapy primarily explores the dynamics of attachment styles in relationships without a specific emphasis on mindfulness and acceptance strategies.