Counseling for Auburn University students: Effective ACT Therapy with Empower Counseling
Auburn University is a beautiful place. Samford Hall, College Street, Toomer’s Corner, and Tiger Trail are just a few of it’s highlights. But if you are struggling as a student with procrastination, burnout, anxiety, or just not knowing how to study, the beauty may be lost on you. Effective Acceptance Commitment Therapy by Empower Counseling can help.
If you are struggling, you are not alone. Poor mental wellbeing has become a significant problem in higher education. Over 60% of college students in the United States have experienced serious anxiety levels and more than half of college students have a psychiatric disorder. Burnout is also an issue with college students today, and burnout is associated with poor study progress
A recent study shows that college students benefited in many ways Acceptance Commitment Therapy or ACT. The students in the study reported decreased stress levels and an increase in well-being and psychological flexibility. Students also recognized improvement in time management skills and studying.
ACT and Psychological Flexibility: What is it? Why is it important?
According to experts, psychological flexibility is “the ability to contact the present moment more fully as a conscious human being, and to change or persist in behavior when doing so serves valued ends” (Hayes et al., 2006). Many studies show that psychological flexibility fosters better well-being and improved performance in the workplace. More recent studies show that psychological flexibility is strongly associated with progression in studies in higher education, as well as, student engagement.
Psychological flexibility, taught through Acceptance Commitment Therapy, results in increased well-being, but it also helps individuals be able to bend, not break, when life gets tough.
One well known model for well-being defines it as being made up of three parts: emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing.
Emotional well-being encompasses positive emotions and satisfaction in life.
Psychological well-being relates to how we se ourselves functioning in life—whether we feel a sense of mastery, autonomy, positive relationships, and more.
Social well-being includes social acceptance, social contribution, and social integration. Recent research shows that psychological flexibility improves all aspects of well-being: emotional, psychological, and social.
Acceptance Commitment Therapy has been shown to improve mental health and well-being and effectively treat a wide range of psychological issues, like depression and anxiety. Not only has ACT been proven effective for many mental health diagnoses, it has also been proven effective in reducing burnout and increasing satisfaction in life.
COUNSELING FOR AUBURN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: EFFECTIVE ACT THERAPY WITH EMPOWER COUNSELING
A 2018 study showed that university students who participated in Acceptance Commitment Therapy interventions or exercises, reported greater well-being and higher school engagement. These same students also reported lower anxiety, stress, and depression. Another study confirmed such results, and showed ACT was effective in reducing social anxiety and academic concerns.
ACT promotes psychological flexibility and success in college.
Research tells us that psychological flexibility is key in decreasing procrastination and engaging in more effective studying.
When college students can organize themselves and are self-guided, they are more successful in school.
STOP PROCRASTINATION
Empower Counseling is a Birmingham area counseling clinic specializing in effective Acceptance Commitment Therapy for college students. All three of our therapists, Kathryn, Adam, And Kristine have been trained in Acceptance Commitment Therapy.
We have helped many college students go from a place of disorganized procrastination, social anxiety, and no sense of direction to having strong time management skills, a clear sense of direction, and goal achievement. We help students uncover any unhelpful thoughts or ways of thinking that are impeding their success, either in the classroom, socially, or both. Then we help our clients learn mindfulness techniques to let go of unhelpful thoughts and move away from internal obstacles. If a client struggles with self-criticism, we focus on moving away from unhelpful self-criticism and toward beneficial self-analysis. Then we help our clients gain clarity around their values and exactly what they want there lives to look like. Once students are clear about what is most important to them, it is time to take action toward their values and goals.
Acceptance Commitment Therapy is not just talk. Of course our compassionate therapists, Kathryn, Adam, and Kristine are here to listen. But that is not all we do. We help guide our clients down the path of becoming the person each wants to be, being productive, accomplishing goals.
If your student is struggling, Empower Counseling is here to provide effective online Acceptance Commitment Therapy for your Auburn University student.
Counseling for college students is not the only service we offer at our Birmingham area counseling clinic. Empower Counseling offers ACT anxiety therapy and ACT counseling for depression for teens, young adults, and professionals. We also offer counseling for difficult life transitions, and Adam is a certified addiction counselor.
Call Empower Counseling at 205-730-6570.