Building Resilience Through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Public Safety Personnel

Public safety personnel (PSP) are routinely exposed to high-stress environments and traumatic incidents. These experiences can lead to operational stress injuries (OSI), such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Amid increasing awareness of the psychological challenges PSP face, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has emerged as a powerful, evidence-based approach to building psychological resilience. Unlike traditional therapies that focus on symptom elimination, ACT emphasizes acceptance of internal experiences and commitment to values-based living, making it especially relevant for high-risk occupational groups like PSP.

ACT is grounded in principles of psychological flexibility—the ability to stay present and engaged in the moment, even in the face of difficult thoughts and feelings, while taking action aligned with personal values (Hayes, Strosahl, & Wilson, 2012). This approach encourages PSP to recognize and make space for their emotional responses rather than suppress or avoid them. Research indicates that ACT can effectively reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and trauma while enhancing overall well-being in frontline workers (Twohig & Levin, 2017). For PSP, who often feel pressure to remain stoic and “push through” adversity, ACT offers tools to engage more authentically with their emotional experiences while maintaining commitment to meaningful work.

 Key concepts and Benefits of ACT for PSP

The following are coping strategies, grounded in ACT, that can support resilience in PSP:

• Mindfulness and present-moment awareness helps individuals ground themselves during periods of distress and reduce automatic, reactive behaviors. This practice can be particularly beneficial in crisis scenarios where staying calm and focused is critical.

• Cognitive defusion techniques—which involve creating distance from unhelpful thoughts and feelings—can reduce the power of negative thinking, allowing PSP to take values-based action even in the presence of internal discomfort.

• Clarifying values and committing to value-based action encourages PSP to identify what truly matters to them (e.g., service, family, integrity) and use these values to guide their actions, fostering a sense of purpose and direction amid adversity.

Using ACT to increase psychological flexibility can help PSP:

1. Reduce the stigma associated with mental health challenges encouraging PSP to seek help with less fear of judgement.

2. Reduce the development of mental health disorders such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety and depression.

3. Develop coping skills to better manage the stress and challenges of the profession.

4. Improve overall well-being through value-guided actions resulting in a greater job satisfaction and a higher quality of life.

Resources:

For more information and support, several resources are available. The Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT) provides mental health tools tailored to PSP. The Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS) offers a wide array of ACT resources, including self-help materials and practitioner directories. Programs like Resilient Minds by the Canadian Mental Health Association and First Responder Support Services also integrate ACT principles to support the mental health of frontline workers.

• CIPSRT – Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment

• Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS)

• Resilient Minds – Canadian Mental Health Association

• First Responder Support Services – Homewood Health

Integrating ACT principles into daily life can empower PSP to build emotional resilience, navigate stress more effectively, and reconnect with their values even in the face of ongoing personal and/or professional demands.

References:

Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., & Wilson, K. G. (2012). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Process and Practice of Mindful Change. Guilford Press

Twohig, M. P., & Levin, M. E. (2017). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as a treatment for anxiety and depression: A review. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 40(4), 751–770. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2017.08.009

Wild, J., & Clark, D. M. (2011). Imagery rescripting of early traumatic memories in social phobia. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 18(4), 433–443.