Clients often come to therapy wanting to feel differently, but emotional goals can be problematic. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on ways to manage (rather than struggle with) difficult emotions, using various strategies including acceptance, mindfulness and committed action towards the type of life we value and want for ourselves. Thoughts and feelings arise and we have less control over them than we would like, but we do have agency in how we respond. It is often the resistance towards painful private experiences that intensifies our distress.
The Happiness Trap is an excellent resource and makes ACT principles very accessible, helping readers who do the exercises to enhance psychological flexibility, behave differently and live more meaningful lives.