The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Psychological Flexibility and Anxiety Among Individuals Referred to Counseling Centers

Authors

    Bita Golkarian Master of General Psychology, Ayatollah Amoli Branch, Islamic Azad University, Amol, Iran.
    Mozhgan Sadat Seyedi * Master of General Psychology, Saveh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Saveh, Iran Mozhganseyedi00@gmail.com
    Atena Martami Master's student of Clinical Psychology, Tonekabon Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tonekabon, Iran.
    Mahsa Nakhlestani Master of Clinical Psychology, West Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
    Eshagh SamKhaniani Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Ayandegan University, Tonekabon, Iran.

Keywords:

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, psychological flexibility, anxiety

Abstract

The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on psychological flexibility and anxiety among individuals referred to counseling centers. The research method was quasi-experimental, using a pretest–posttest design with one experimental group and one control group. The statistical population included individuals referred to counseling centers in Tehran in 2025–2026. Using convenience sampling, 30 participants were selected and randomly assigned to two groups: an experimental group of 15 participants and a control group of 15 participants. Data were collected using psychological flexibility and anxiety questionnaires. The participants in the experimental group then received Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for eight weeks, with one 90-minute treatment session held each week, while the control group received no specific intervention. The findings showed that the mean scores of psychological flexibility and anxiety in the posttest phase of the experimental group were significantly different from the pretest scores. Therefore, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy has an effect on psychological flexibility and anxiety among individuals referred to counseling centers.

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Published

2027-03-01

Submitted

2026-04-07

Revised

2026-06-26

Accepted

2026-07-07

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Golkarian , B., Seyedi, M. S., Martami , A., Nakhlestani , M., & SamKhaniani, E. . (2027). The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Psychological Flexibility and Anxiety Among Individuals Referred to Counseling Centers. Mental Health and Lifestyle Journal, 1-13. https://www.mhljournal.com/index.php/mhlj/article/view/274

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