Psychological Flexibility: The Six Pillars (ACT)

An ACT-Based Self-Assessment for Adaptive Living

ACTAssessmentFree ResourceLast reviewed April 2026

An ACT-Based Self-Assessment for Adaptive Living

Psychological Flexibility: The Six Pillars (ACT)

An ACT-Based Self-Assessment for Adaptive Living

Psychological flexibility is the capacity to remain open to your present-moment experience while pursuing actions aligned with your deepest values. In Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), it is treated as a central process in mental health and resilience. This assessment covers the six core processes of the ACT model, such as accepting hard feelings, stepping back from your thoughts (defusion), and acting on your values. Rate each item honestly to identify areas of strength and areas for growth. This sheet shows you where you stand right now rather than teaching the skills, so for a plain-language walkthrough of the six core skills of ACT, start there.

1Not at all2Rarely3Sometimes4Often5Very often

Acceptance

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I allow uncomfortable emotions to be present without trying to eliminate them

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I can experience physical discomfort or pain without needing to immediately escape it

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I recognize that struggling against difficult feelings often makes them more intense

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I am willing to feel anxiety, sadness, or frustration when pursuing something important to me

Cognitive Defusion

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I can notice a negative thought without automatically believing it is true

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I recognize that my thoughts are mental events, not necessarily reflections of reality

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I am able to step back from unhelpful thinking patterns rather than getting swept up in them

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I can hold a worrying thought lightly rather than letting it dominate my attention

Present-Moment Awareness

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I bring my full attention to what I am doing rather than operating on autopilot

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I notice when my mind has wandered to the past or future and gently redirect my focus

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I engage my senses to connect with my immediate environment throughout the day

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I am able to be present during conversations without mentally rehearsing what to say next

Self-as-Context

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I can observe my thoughts and feelings without defining myself by them

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I understand that I am more than any single emotion, thought, or experience

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I maintain a stable sense of self even when my thoughts and feelings fluctuate

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I can witness difficult inner experiences from a place of perspective rather than being consumed by them

Values Clarity

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I have a clear sense of what matters most to me in life

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I can articulate the qualities I want to embody in my relationships, work, and personal growth

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I regularly reflect on whether my daily actions align with my stated values

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I distinguish between goals imposed by others and values I have genuinely chosen for myself

Committed Action

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I take concrete steps toward my values even when it feels uncomfortable

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I follow through on commitments rather than abandoning them when obstacles arise

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I set specific, achievable goals that reflect my core values

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I am willing to fail and try again in the service of something meaningful to me

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Common Questions

What is the Psychological Flexibility: The Six Pillars (ACT) worksheet?

How do I use the Psychological Flexibility: The Six Pillars (ACT) worksheet?

Rate each item honestly. This is a self-assessment tool, not a clinical diagnosis. Bring your results to your next therapy session for discussion.

Is the Psychological Flexibility: The Six Pillars (ACT) worksheet free?

Yes. Like every worksheet on Therapy Resource, it is free to read, print, and download as a PDF — no account required. A Pro subscription adds online filling with saved progress, practice-branded PDF exports, and secure client sharing.

Can I fill out the Psychological Flexibility: The Six Pillars (ACT) worksheet online?

Yes — switch the worksheet to "Type on Screen" mode to fill in the fields directly in your browser before printing. Pro members can also save their entries across sessions and export the completed worksheet as a branded PDF.

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