As human beings we have learned the pain is bad and pleasure is good, but we run into
difficulties when we apply these principles universally to our life. For example, we must occasionally experience pain or annoyance to accomplish things, sitting at the DMV or changing a diaper. Often
people run into problems in their life because they are unwilling to experience temporary discomfort or
pain. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) teaches clients that their emotions are normal
reactions to the environment, and that they choose how to react to their emotions.

I worked with a female client with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder who feared contamination by
germs and dirt, resulting in cleaning rituals of 8 or more hours per day. Through the course of therapy,
she was able to acknowledge that her fears were preventing her from living according to her values and
kept her stuck in a cycle of thought removed from the present moment. I created a strong therapeutic
alliance with this client by asserting my commitment to her and her treatment, making it known that I
would not ask her to do anything I was not myself willing to do. During one of our first sessions, I proved
this commitment by licking the door knob to my office. In order to live, you must be willing to face the
possibility of sickness. As we completed exposure exercises, she began to get more comfortable sitting
with her uncomfortable feelings, and eventually was able to live closer to her values.