What is ACT Guide for Decluttering?
- ACT Guide for Decluttering is an online mental health program designed by psychologists at Utah State University.
- This program is for people who may have difficulty discarding, acquiring, or hoarding objects. You’ll learn skills to help deal with uncomfortable feelings, be more present in your life, and discover new things about yourself.
How does it work?
- The “ACT” in ACT Guide stands for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. It’s a way of improving your mental health and handling distress associated with discarding objects. There is growing empirical support on the efficacy of ACT for hoarding difficulties. More broadly, there have been over 1,000 randomized controlled trials showing the positive effects of using ACT for a wide range of mental health conditions (State of the ACT Evidence).
- The ACT Research Group, led by Drs. Michael Twohig and Michael Levin, has conducted research on treating hoarding symptoms, with results showing promising outcomes and improvement for clients in ACT therapy. ACT Guide for Decluttering is designed to teach these same skills, but in a self-guided format where you can go at your own pace.
- Ong, C. W., Krafft, J., Panoussi, F., Petersen, J. M., Levin, M. E., & Twohig, M. P. (2021). In-person and online-delivered acceptance and commitment therapy for hoarding disorder: A multiple baseline study. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 20, 108-117.
- Ong, C. W., Krafft, J., Levin, M. E., & Twohig, M. P. (2020). Comparing effects of acceptance training and psychoeducation on hoarding symptoms. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 25, 100521.
- ACT Guide for Decluttering has been shown to be effective in a clinical trial. We found that participants assigned to ACT Guide experienced significant improvements in hoarding symptoms, functional impairment, well-being, and progress toward personal values.Krafft, J., Petersen, J. M., Ong, C., Twohig, M. P., & Levin, M. E. (Under review). Making Space: A randomized waitlist-controlled trial of an acceptance and commitment therapy website for hoarding.
- Krafft, J., Petersen, J.M., Ong, C.W., Twohig, M.P. & Levin, M.E. (2023). Processes of change in online acceptance and commitment therapy for hoarding. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science.
What to expect?
- ACT Guide for Decluttering is completed entirely online and has 16 self-guided modules that you can work through at your own pace. This course will teach you new ways to interact with your thoughts and feelings, to help you do what matters most to you.
- You can expect to spend around 30 minutes per module with the program. Most people complete one new lesson each week, so the whole program takes a few months, but you can personalize the program to your needs –it’s all about what works for you.
- Read the Privacy Notice and the Terms of Use.
Who created the ACT Guide?
- We’re a group of researchers at Utah State University who spend our time helping others with their mental health. We want everyone to be happier and healthier living their best life, which is why we made ACT Guide. You can learn more about us by visiting the Utah State University ACT Research Group.
How do I sign up?
- The program costs $25, and you’ll have access to ACT Guide for Decluttering for six months. During that time, you can work through the program at your own pace.
- All money we make directly supports program maintenance and future program development. Payments are processed securely via PayPal.
Who can I contact if I have questions?
- We’d love to hear from you! If you have any questions about ACT Guide, please email us at ACTGuide@usu.edu.