In this episode, Wendy is joined by Lou Lasprugato, licensed psychotherapist, internationally recognised ACT trainer and ACBS Fellow, who has facilitated over a hundred training events on acceptance and commitment therapy and spent more than 23 years working as a therapist across private practice, crisis intervention, intensive outpatient and integrative medicine settings. Lou also served as Chair of the ACBS Training Committee from 2022 to 2025, and specialises in therapy for intimate partners and anxiety disorders.
This is part one of two, and it focuses on the foundations of ACT: what the model is, where it came from, and how its core concepts work in practice.
ACT takes a different starting point from many other therapeutic approaches. Rather than trying to reduce or eliminate difficult thoughts and feelings, it asks a different question: can you make room for what is happening inside you while still moving towards what matters most in your life? That shift, from symptom reduction to values-based living, is what Lou describes as the thing that made ACT a game changer for him both professionally and personally.
The conversation covers the hexaflex, the six-process model at the heart of ACT, explained clearly and without jargon. Lou walks through the open pillar of acceptance and cognitive defusion, the aware pillar of present moment contact and the observing self, and the engaged pillar of values and committed action. Along the way, he demonstrates several practical defusion techniques, including how singing a self-critical thought to the tune of Happy Birthday can genuinely loosen its grip, and perspective-taking exercises that invite compassion for a younger version of yourself.
There is also a really useful clarification of what acceptance actually means in ACT, which is not resignation or giving up, but a willingness to be with our inner experience as it is, particularly when the alternative is avoidance strategies that tend to cost us far more in the long run.
Part two continues next week, going deeper into values, committed action and how ACT applies to specific challenges.
Lou has over 16 free guided ACT meditations available on the Insight Timer app, accessible without a premium subscription:
👉 https://insighttimer.com/loulasprugato
Further resources, blogs and training information at:
👉 http://loulasprugato.com/
Lou's YouTube channel:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/c/LouLasprugato
Training and consultation information via the ACBS website:
👉 https://contextualscience.org/lou_lasprugatos_training_page
To learn more about Wendy's work, explore resources, or stay up to date with future episodes, visit:
👉 https://wendycastelino.com/
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