An Intervention Based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Childhood Separation Anxiety: A Case Study

This study illustrates the application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for a 12-year-old boy with separation anxiety and his mother. Over 23 sessions, ACT strategies promoted psychological flexibility, values-based parenting, and adaptive behaviors. The intervention reduced the child’s experiential avoidance, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, while increasing value-oriented actions, while the mother showed improved psychological flexibility and life satisfaction. The results were sustained at a three-month follow-up. This case study highlights the potential of ACT in treating childhood separation anxiety by simultaneously involving parents, demonstrating its feasibility and efficacy. The findings provide guidance for adapting ACT for families and child populations.