The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Psychological Flexibility and Anxiety Among Individuals Referred to Counseling Centers
Keywords:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Psychological Flexibility, Anxiety, Counseling CentersAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on psychological flexibility and anxiety among individuals referred to counseling centers in Tehran.
Methods and Materials: The study employed a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design with a control group. The statistical population included individuals referred to counseling centers in Tehran during 2025–2026. Thirty participants were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group, with 15 participants in each group. The experimental group received Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in eight weekly 90-minute sessions, while the control group received no specific psychological intervention during the study period. Data were collected using the Psychological Flexibility Questionnaire by Dennis and Vander Wal and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. Descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov–Smirnov normality tests, and analysis of covariance were applied to analyze the data, with pretest scores controlled in the inferential analysis.
Findings: The results of analysis of covariance showed that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy had a significant effect on psychological flexibility and anxiety after controlling for pretest scores. The intervention significantly increased psychological flexibility in the experimental group compared with the control group, F = 58.74, p = .001, η² = .53. In addition, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy significantly reduced anxiety in the experimental group compared with the control group, F = 41.37, p = .001, η² = .52. These findings indicate large intervention effects on both outcome variables.
Conclusion: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy was effective in enhancing psychological flexibility and reducing anxiety among individuals referred to counseling centers. By strengthening acceptance, cognitive defusion, present-moment awareness, values clarification, and committed action, this intervention can be considered a useful therapeutic approach for clients experiencing anxiety-related difficulties.
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