Forpligtelsesterapi

Forpligtelsesterapi is a psychotherapeutic approach focused on helping individuals live in accordance with their values while reducing the impact of unwanted internal experiences. The aim is to increase psychological flexibility, enabling people to act in alignment with what matters to them even in the presence of difficult thoughts, feelings, or sensations.

The term is primarily used in Danish-language contexts as a translation or adaptation of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT posits that suffering is partly due to avoidance of private experiences and that meaningful change comes from accepting those experiences and committing to value-based actions. Forpligtelsesterapi thus centers on balancing acceptance with deliberate, value-driven behavior change.

Core concepts include psychological flexibility, acceptance of present-morgent experiences, cognitive defusion, contact with the present moment, self-as-context, values clarification, and committed action. Techniques often combine mindfulness and experiential exercises with practical action plans. Therapists may use metaphors, values work, exposure to avoided situations, and behavioral experiments to help clients pursue ongoing, meaningful change.

Applications span a range of conditions where behavior change and values alignment are beneficial, including anxiety and mood disorders, chronic pain, burnout, and substance use. The approach is typically delivered by psychologists or licensed therapists, in individual or group formats, and may include homework between sessions.

Evidence for forpligtelsesterapi reflects the broader ACT literature, which shows effectiveness across several disorders and settings. Direct trials specifically labeled as forpligtelsesterapi are limited, but Danish practitioners generally rely on ACT-based protocols and therefore rely on the established ACT evidence base. Critiques emphasize the need for clear communication about acceptance versus resignation and for ongoing high-quality research.