Our Approach
to science-based behavior change
At Actualize Wellness, we blend Clinical Behavior Analysis and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to support lasting personal growth. Using evidence-based strategies, we guide clients in aligning actions with deeply-held values, fostering resilience and meaningful change. Through this approach, we don’t aim to eliminate challenging thoughts, emotions, or feelings that guide unhelpful patterns of behavior—after all, these are part of the human experience. Instead, we help clients learn how to navigate them effectively.
As humans, our minds—while extraordinary tools—can often turn against us. They’re wired for problem-solving and survival, but in modern life, this sometimes leads us to get caught up in our thoughts. We may find ourselves stuck in loops of self-doubt, judgment, or fear, hooked by internal narratives that make meaningful change feel impossible. It’s like having an internal struggle switch constantly flipped on, leaving us exhausted and unable to break free from behaviors that don’t serve us.
Through our approach, clients learn to:
Become open to uncomfortable thoughts and feelings through defusion and acceptance. Defusion allows clients to step back and see their thoughts for what they are—just thoughts—not absolute truths. Acceptance helps them make space for difficult emotions without fighting or avoiding them, reducing the hold these experiences have on their behavior.
Become aware of the present moment with mindfulness and self-as-context. Mindfulness helps clients focus on the here and now, rather than getting lost in worries about the past or future. Self-as-context fosters a broader sense of identity, teaching clients to see themselves as more than their fleeting thoughts and emotions.
Become engaged with what truly matters through values and committed action. By identifying their core values, clients discover the “why” behind their actions and learn to take purposeful steps forward, even when it’s uncomfortable or challenging.
This process empowers clients to make intentional decisions and break free from the patterns that keep them stuck. Instead of being at war with their own minds, they learn to work with their thoughts and emotions in a way that fosters growth, resilience, and meaningful change. Our compassionate, science-based methods provide a structured path forward, helping you live a life aligned with your values without unnecessary stress or burnout.
Scientific Methodologies
Explore the specific frameworks and modalities we use in our treatment approach.
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Behavior Analysis is the scientific study of behavior, focusing on understanding how behaviors are learned and modified over time. This field is grounded in behaviorism, which asserts that improving human well-being is best achieved by focusing on observable behavior. One major branch of this field is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), which uses techniques like positive reinforcement to teach new skills and replace harmful or unhealthy behaviors. ABA is widely recognized for its effectiveness in treating autism, improving social skills, and managing a wide range of behavioral issues.
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Clinical Behavior Analysis extends the principles of Behavior Analysis to address issues traditionally classified as mental disorders. This approach views thoughts, feelings, and actions as behaviors that can be observed and analyzed in context. By examining the triggers and consequences of these behaviors, clinical behavior analysts develop personalized interventions. Common issues treated include anxiety, depression, and stress. Interventions like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) are employed to help clients achieve meaningful behavior change and improve overall well-being.
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based approach designed to enhance psychological flexibility—our ability to adapt our behavior in alignment with deeply held values, even in the face of challenging thoughts and feelings. ACT is grounded in Relational Frame Theory (RFT), which explores how language and cognition can lead us to struggle against our internal experiences. ACT uses mindfulness, acceptance strategies, and experiential exercises to help clients embrace their thoughts and emotions, identify core values, and take committed action toward a more fulfilling life.
References
Baer, D. M., Wolf, M. M., & Risley, T. R. (1968). Some current dimensions of applied behavior analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1(1), 91-97.
Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., & Wilson, K. G. (1999). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: An experiential approach to behavior change. Guilford Press.
Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and human behavior. Macmillan.
Törneke, N. (2010). Learning RFT: An introduction to relational frame theory and its clinical application. New Harbinger Publications.