ACT matrix (Acceptance and commitment therapy)

I learned about the ACT matrix from Prosocial, a body of work dear to my heart and very aligned with what I say here. 

An ACT matrix comes from therapy but we can use it as groups as well to gain clarity of the context. 

Imagine four quadrants and a topic or question. The vertical axis distinguishes between what’s happening inside (thoughts, feelings, memories) and what’s visible outside (words, actions). The horizontal axis distinguishes between away-from moves (avoidance, fear, self-protection) and toward moves (values-based, intentional). 

I’m sure I’m oversimplifying it but we can read it as a way to see the effable and ineffable realms both in what we want more of and what we want less of. 

It can be helpful as a diagnostic to find ways in which our flow towards what we want is blocked. It can also serve as a transformational tool because seeing those blocks and the pulls at the same time can shift behavior and mindsets. 

Lots of good information online to learn more!