Ali Jacowitz: The New Faces of Modern Medicine.

Ali Jackowitz, PysD 

What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy* (Namely, A.C.T)? We spent the day photographing Dr. Ali Jacowitz's portrait and shooting a PSA to learn a little more about this modality.

For the most part, A.C.T teaches us to think flexibly by embracing distressing thoughts instead of avoiding them.

Specifically, if you watch Dr. Jacowitz's video here you will learn about all the cool new ways in which therapy is helping us live healthier, better lives. In fact, therapists are now backed by decades of data from studies in major institutions, they are able to diagnose and treat with far more efficacy and precision that in the past. New developments are markedly helping even those in the most need.

Notably, Dr. Jacowitz employs evidence-based treatment modalities tailored to her clients’ individual needs such as third-wave mindfulness-based treatments like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Dr. Jacowitz’s ACT treatment specialties include anxiety, depression, sexual identity exploration, and chronic pain. Additionally, her treatments include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT).

Viddy written and directed by Angela Cappetta.
Hair and makeup by Dani Levi Beauty.

Scholarly Article Submitted by Steven Hayes to The Association for Contextual behavior Science

*Developed within a coherent theoretical and philosophical framework, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a unique empirically based psychological intervention. It uses acceptance and mindfulness strategies, together with commitment and behavior change strategies, so as to increase psychological flexibility. Psychological flexibility means contacting the present moment fully as a conscious human being. Based on what the situation affords, changing or persisting in behavior in the service of chosen values as well.

Important to realize, and based on Relational Frame Theory, ACT illuminates the ways that language entangles clients into futile attempts to wage war against their own inner lives. Through metaphor, paradox, and experiential exercises clients learn how to make healthy contact with thoughts, feelings, memories, and physical sensations that have been feared and avoided. Clients gain the skills to recontextualize and accept these private events, develop greater clarity about personal values, and commit in order to undergo a behavior change.