The use of act therapy in working with parents of children experiencing peer violence

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a key representative of the so-called the third wave of cognitive-behavioral therapies, which in recent years it has been becoming more and more popular in Poland. The aim of the article is to present the theoretical foundations and practical implications regarding the use of ACT therapy in working with parents of children experiencing bullying. The text presents the theoretical basis of the analyzed approach – the model of psychological flexibility and the main assumptions of therapy which is based on the acceptance of what is beyond control and involvement in activities that give meaning to life and they are close to the values. Parents of children experiencing bullying vave to experience a number of dilemmas regarding the recognition and understanding of their child’s situation, doubts when choosing the right way to respond, strong fear for the health and life of their children, and a number of other emotions, such as anger, sadness or disappointment. The article presents examples of methods and strategies for working with unpleasant emotions, negative thoughts and dilemmas that accompany parents of children experiencing peer violence on a daily basis. All conclusions were also collected from conducted research on the attitudes, dilemmas and emotions of this group of parents and the effectiveness of ACT therapy in working with parents and their children.