Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as an approach for working with climate distress

Climate distress describes a complex array of emotional responses to climate change, which may include anxiety, despair, anger, and grief. This paper presents a conceptual analysis of how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is relevant to supporting those with climate distress. ACT aims to increase psychological flexibility, comprising an open and aware orientation to one’s experiences, and an engaged approach to living, guided by personal values. We discuss the pertinence of each of these processes for adapting to the challenging reality of climate change. By embracing climate distress as a natural human experience and promoting value-guided action, ACT offers a promising approach that brings co-benefits to individuals and wider society.