How ACT Therapy Helps Treat OCD and Anxiety in Bergen County, NJ!
Living with anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can feel overwhelming. You may find yourself caught in a loop of intrusive thoughts, endless mental analysis, or compulsive behaviors that steal your time and peace of mind. While traditional therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) are well-established, there’s another powerful and evidence-based approach gaining traction—Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
If you’re searching for effective OCD and anxiety treatment in Bergen County, New Jersey, ACT may be the key to helping you reclaim your life.
What Is ACT Therapy?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a mindfulness-based behavioral therapy that helps individuals change their relationship with difficult thoughts and emotions rather than trying to eliminate them. Instead of labeling thoughts as “good” or “bad,” ACT invites you to become curious about them.
At its core, ACT focuses on three major principles:
Cognitive Defusion – Learning to separate from thoughts instead of fusing with them.
Acceptance – Allowing uncomfortable emotions and sensations without resistance.
Values-Based Living – Taking committed action aligned with what truly matters to you.
How ACT Helps With OCD and Anxiety
While ERP teaches you to face fears without engaging in compulsions, ACT complements this by targeting how you relate to your thoughts and feelings. For example:
Instead of thinking, “This thought means something is wrong with me,” ACT helps you say, “I notice I’m having the thought that something is wrong with me.”
Instead of spending energy trying to suppress anxiety, ACT teaches you to hold space for it while moving toward your values—like connection, creativity, or compassion.
The Power of Curiosity and Thought Defusion
People with anxiety and OCD often judge their thoughts as dangerous, shameful, or urgent. ACT challenges this mindset by encouraging curiosity.
“What if I didn’t take this thought at face value?”.
“Can I observe this urge without obeying it?”.
“Is this thought helping me live in line with my values?”.
Through thought defusion techniques (like labeling thoughts, using humor, or visualizing them floating away), ACT reduces the power of intrusive thinking.
ACT vs. Traditional CBT: Why It May Work Better
Research shows that ACT is equally effective or sometimes more effective than traditional CBT, especially for individuals who struggle with excessive self-judgment or rumination.
A 2020 meta-analysis published in Behavior Research and Therapy found that ACT significantly improved outcomes for anxiety and OCD, especially when combined with ERP techniques.
In some studies, ACT has shown greater long-term improvements in functioning and life satisfaction compared to CBT alone.
Why ACT Is a Great Fit for Bergen County Residents
At our therapy practice in Bergen County, NJ, we understand the fast-paced, high-achieving environment that many local residents face. Whether you’re a working professional, a student, or a parent balancing multiple roles, ACT offers practical tools to:
Reduce anxiety without trying to control every thought.
Navigate OCD without being ruled by compulsions!!
Reconnect with your core values and identity.
Find peace even when uncertainty is present!
We work with clients in Ridgewood, Hackensack, Englewood, Paramus, Tenafly, Teaneck, and surrounding areas—both in-person and via telehealth.
Is ACT Right for You?
If you’re tired of fighting your thoughts and ready to build a more meaningful life, ACT may be the approach you’ve been looking for. It’s not about “fixing” you—it’s about helping you live with more freedom, flexibility, and purpose.
Get Started with ACT Therapy in Bergen County, NJ
At Clear Light Therapy, we specialize in evidence-based treatment for OCD and anxiety, including ACT, ERP, and CBT. Our licensed therapists are here to help you become more curious about your thoughts, practice radical acceptance, and move forward in alignment with your values.
📍Serving: Englewood, Ridgewood, Mahwah, Englewood Cliffs, Wycoff, Fort Lee, Hackensack, and all of Bergen County
💻 Offering both in-person and telehealth appointments!!
📞 Call us today or visit www.clearlighttherapy.com to schedule a free consultation
