ACT Matrix in a Nutshell

The ACT Matrix is a simple yet powerful tool used in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients distinguish between their internal and external experiences, and to clarify behaviors that either bring them closer to or move them further away from their values. The primary aim of the Matrix is to enhance psychological flexibility—the ability to act in alignment with values, even in the face of difficult internal experiences like challenging thoughts and emotions.

What is the ACT Matrix?

The ACT Matrix is a visual tool that helps clients develop mindfulness and self-awareness by mapping out their experiences. It is structured using two intersecting lines that form four quadrants. Each quadrant helps the client better understand their behaviors and how they relate to their values, as well as the thoughts, feelings, and urges that may influence their actions. The Matrix simplifies the ACT processes and teaches clients to make flexible choices that lead to a more meaningful and valued life.

The Components of the ACT Matrix:

1. Vertical Line (Experiences):

   • The top of the vertical line represents external experiences—what we take in through our five senses and how we engage in the present moment.

   • The bottom of the vertical line represents our internal experiences—thoughts, emotions, memories, urges, and physical sensations.

2. Horizontal Line (Behaviors):

   • The right side of the horizontal line represents behaviors that move us toward our values. These are actions that align with what matters most to us.

   • The left side of the horizontal line represents behaviors that move us away from our values. These are actions driven by the desire to escape or avoid uncomfortable internal experiences, often leading to unhelpful patterns.

This intersection of internal and external experiences, and behaviors that move us either toward or away from our values, creates four quadrants.

The Four Quadrants of the ACT Matrix:

1. Bottom Right Quadrant (Values):Here, the client identifies who and what is important to them—this is where they clarify their values. Values may include relationships, personal growth, health, or career aspirations.

   Example prompt:

   • “Who or what is most important to you in life?”

   • “What gives your life meaning?”

     
     

2. Bottom Left Quadrant (Unwanted Internal Experiences):In this quadrant, the client identifies the thoughts, emotions, and sensations that show up when things get tough. These are often the internal experiences we tend to avoid or struggle with, such as self-doubt, anxiety, or sadness.

3. Example prompt:

   • “What kinds of uncomfortable thoughts or feelings show up when you’re struggling?”

   • “What do you notice internally when you’re facing a challenge?”

     
     

4. Top Left Quadrant (Away Moves):The focus here is on the specific behaviors the client uses to avoid or escape uncomfortable internal experiences. These behaviors are referred to as "away moves" because, while they might provide temporary relief, they often pull the client further away from their values.Example prompt:

   • “When those difficult thoughts or feelings show up, what do you tend to do?”

   • “How do you try to cope with or avoid discomfort?”

     
     

5. Top Right Quadrant (Toward Moves):Finally, this quadrant explores the specific actions that the client can take to move toward their values, despite the presence of difficult thoughts or emotions. These actions are known as "toward moves," and they help the client align their behavior with what they care about, leading to a more meaningful life.Example prompt:

   • “What actions can you take that bring you closer to your values, even if it’s difficult?”

   • “What steps can you take today to live more in line with what’s important to you?”

How to Use the ACT Matrix in Therapy

To introduce the ACT Matrix to your clients, begin by framing the process as a simple, collaborative exercise. Here's a structured way to set the tone and guide the client through the matrix.

Step 1: Introducing the Matrix

Therapist:"We’re going to be doing a kind of diagram together. It’s super simple, you don’t need any art skills or anything like that. I do mine landscape style, like this."(Turn the clipboard sideways to demonstrate.)"Just follow along with me. We’ll start with an example to set things up, and once we’re finished with that, we’ll apply it to your life and the things we’ve been discussing. Sound good?"

Instructions:

Drawing the First Line

"First, draw a straight line across the middle of the page with an arrow on each end, like this."(Draw the line and arrows on your paper, and hold it up for them to follow.)"Got it? Now, write the letter ‘T’ on the right side of the line, and the letter ‘A’ on the left side."(Wait for the client to complete this step.)

Therapist:

"The ‘T’ stands for ‘Toward,’ as in moving toward something, and the ‘A’ stands for ‘Away,’ as in moving away from something. Make sense?"

Step 2: Explaining the Toward/Away Concept

Therapist:"Now, imagine a rabbit. Can you picture one? What might a rabbit want to move toward?"

Client:"Food. Carrots maybe?"

Therapist:"Exactly. And what might the rabbit want to move away from?"

Client:"Predators. A fox."

Therapist:"Right! A rabbit can move toward a carrot and away from a fox at the same time."

(Here, bend the paper into a cylinder, touching the ends of the arrows together.)

"We can move toward and away from things at the same time too. Unlike rabbits, we also have an internal world—our thoughts, feelings, and memories—that affects us. We may get caught up in things like a video or message and think about it all day, maybe even for years. That’s part of what we’ll explore in this diagram. Ready?"

Step 3: Drawing the Matrix and Asking Questions

Next, guide the client to draw a vertical line down the center of the page, creating four quadrants.

Therapist:"Now we have four boxes. I’m going to ask you four questions, one for each box. Just jot down your answers in bullet points, and don’t worry about neatness—I won’t be reading your paper. You’ll read it to me."

Question 1 (Bottom Right Quadrant):"Who and what are important to you?""This could be people, places, or qualities like kindness or honesty. Write down whatever comes to mind, and let me know when you’re done."(Allow time for the client to write.)"Okay, share what you’ve written."(Write their responses on your matrix as they share.)

Step 4: Clarifying Values

Therapist:"Great. Let’s talk about these for a moment. For example, if you said family is important, it’s not just about their presence, but the relationship with them that matters, right? Same for other things you listed—what’s meaningful about them?"(Ask follow-up questions to help clarify values.)

Once this is done, move to the bottom left quadrant.

Step 5: Identifying Barriers

Question 2 (Bottom Left Quadrant):"What thoughts, feelings, or memories show up that get in the way of these important people and things?"(Allow the client time to write, then ask them to share and jot their responses on your matrix.)

Therapist:"Now, remember when we talked earlier about things that make you feel stuck? Do any of those fit here?" (Encourage the client to be honest about internal struggles and clarify as needed.)

Step 6: Linking Internal Barriers to Behavior

Question 3 (Top Left Quadrant):"When these thoughts or feelings show up, what do you usually do in response?"(Draw an arrow from the bottom left to the top left quadrant as you say this.)"What actions do you tend to take when these internal experiences are happening?"(Encourage the client to focus on behaviors, not just coping skills.)

Step 7: The Loop of Avoidance

After gathering the client’s responses for the top left quadrant, explain how these behaviors often lead to more negative internal experiences.

Therapist:"Notice how I’ve drawn an arrow connecting these quadrants. This can create a loop—something shows up inside, you respond to it in a certain way, and then more internal stuff shows up. Does that sound familiar?"

Client:"Yeah, it feels like a cycle."

Therapist:"Exactly. We call this a ‘stuck loop.’ It’s a very human thing, but it can trap us. Let’s break it by looking at the last quadrant."

Step 8: Committed Actions Toward Values

Question 4 (Top Right Quadrant):"What are some things you can actually do that would move you toward the people and things that matter to you?"(Give the client time to write and share their responses.)

Therapist:"In this box, we’re identifying actions that move you closer to what’s important. Some of these may seem small, but each step counts."

Reflecting on the Matrix

With the matrix complete, take a moment to reflect with the client.

Therapist:"Now we can see how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact. This is the matrix, and it’s here to help you notice and choose actions that align with what matters to you, even when internal barriers show up. We’ll keep working on this, but how does this feel so far?" (Allow for any questions or clarifications before wrapping up.)

As you can see here, the ACT Matrix is a flexible and practical tool for therapists to use in sessions. By walking clients through the four quadrants, you can help them develop greater psychological flexibility, recognize unhelpful patterns of avoidance, and take meaningful steps toward living in line with their values.

It is an easy-to-use framework that allows clients to track their internal experiences, behaviors, and values, leading to more mindful and purposeful actions in their daily lives.