At Redeemed Mental Health, we don’t believe in overcomplicating things. Life is hard enough. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or weighed down by stress, trauma, or old habits, ACT therapy might be exactly what you need.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps you stop fighting with your thoughts and start living your life—based on what truly matters to you. It’s not about pretending everything’s okay. It’s about making room for the hard stuff, choosing your personal values, and taking steps toward the life you want.
ACT therapy, short for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, is a type of modern behavior therapy rooted in contextual behavioral science and clinical psychology. Instead of trying to erase uncomfortable feelings or control your thoughts, ACT helps you accept what you can’t change and commit to action in the areas that matter most.
Think of it like this: ACT teaches you how to stop getting yanked around by your thoughts and emotions. You learn to stay grounded in the present moment, even when things feel messy, painful, or uncertain. From there, you can make choices based on what truly lines up with your personal values—not just what feels easiest in the moment.
Unlike traditional cognitive behavior therapy or behavioral and cognitive therapy, ACT doesn’t focus on challenging or changing your thoughts. Instead, it focuses on building psychological flexibility—your ability to stay present, open, and willing to move forward even in the face of discomfort.
If CBT is about changing your thoughts to feel better, acceptance and commitment therapy is about changing your relationship with your thoughts so they don’t control your life anymore.
When you work with an ACT therapist at Redeemed, you’ll learn practical tools that fall into six core categories, all designed to build your psychological flexibility:
Acceptance – Make space for uncomfortable feelings instead of fighting them.
Cognitive Defusion – Learn to observe your thoughts without getting hooked by them.
Present Moment Awareness – Stay grounded in the here and now instead of getting caught up in the past or future.
Self-as-Context – See yourself as more than just your thoughts or emotions.
Values Clarification – Identify what truly matters to you in life.
Committed Action – Take meaningful steps toward your goals, even when it’s hard.
These ACT interventions are simple but powerful. Over time, they help reduce stress and pain symptoms, improve relationships, and reconnect you with the life you want to live.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is helpful for a wide range of mental health struggles, including:
Chronic pain
Anxiety and depression
PTSD and trauma recovery
Substance abuse
Life transitions and burnout
Low motivation or self-worth
Whether you’ve been in therapy before or this is your first time reaching out, ACT is a down-to-earth approach that meets you where you’re at. It’s about making room for life—with all its ups and downs—and still choosing to move forward.
We don’t just toss around therapy buzzwords. At Redeemed Mental Health, you’ll work with experienced, compassionate mental health professionals who understand how hard life can get—and how powerful the right support can be.
Dr. Andrea Wagner, our founder and Chief Clinician, leads a team of licensed therapists who specialize in ACT therapy, behavior therapy, and other evidence-based approaches. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, substance abuse, or just feel like your mind is working against you, we’ll help you learn the skills to show up for your life again.
You’ll get a treatment plan that’s tailored to your goals, not just your symptoms. Whether in-person or virtual, our sessions are focused, practical, and built to help you create real, lasting change.
You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just need to take the first step.
If you’re tired of being stuck and ready to try something different, ACT therapy might be the right fit. Let’s talk about how acceptance and commitment therapy at Redeemed Mental Health in Newport Beach can help you reconnect with your life—and the version of yourself you want to be.
Commitment therapy acceptance is a core concept in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). It means learning to stop fighting your thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations—especially the uncomfortable ones—and choosing to move forward anyway. Instead of avoiding pain or waiting until you “feel better” to take action, ACT helps you accept what’s out of your control and commit to doing what matters to you now.
Many people come to therapy overwhelmed not just by thoughts or emotions, but by stress-related physical sensations like tightness in the chest, tension, restlessness, or fatigue. ACT helps you relate to those sensations differently—acknowledging them without letting them run the show. Through mindfulness and acceptance, you learn to stay present and make value-based choices, even when your body is sending uncomfortable signals.
No, ACT is useful for much more than anxiety or depression. While it’s great for those and other mental health challenges, it’s also highly effective for people dealing with chronic pain, substance abuse, or just feeling stuck in life. It’s about helping you reconnect with your values and take meaningful action—even when life is throwing you curveballs.
ACT isn’t about digging into the past unless it’s helpful. Unlike traditional talk therapy, it focuses more on your relationship with your thoughts and physical sensations than on analyzing where they came from. You’ll spend more time building skills for living in the present moment and taking action based on what matters to you now.
CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy) often focuses on changing negative thoughts. ACT, on the other hand, focuses on commitment therapy acceptance—letting thoughts and feelings be, while taking action anyway. ACT is more about increasing your psychological flexibility, which means you’re better able to adapt, cope, and stay aligned with your values, even during life’s toughest.
Frederick L. Williams is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He holds a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Vanguard University of Southern California. He has been in the clinical field since 2004. The majority of his career have been spent working at local non-profit organizations. Some of his areas of focus are anger management, domestic violence, substance abuse, anxiety, relationship concerns, trauma, depression, anxiety and parenting.
He is an active member of the Orange County Behavioral Health Advisory Board and currently serves as Vice Chair. His work in client- centered therapy aims to help people strengthen personal authority over their own healing by promoting self-actualization and creating a safe and accepting space.
With a Masters degree in Clinical Counseling, specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy, April brings years of experience in the human services field. Her passion for helping people drives her to provide compassionate, effective support. Rooted in a person-centered orientation, she is committed to meeting clients where they are, offering a judgment-free space for exploration and growth.
To facilitate quick and meaningful results, she incorporates cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) approaches. This combination allows her to address a wide range of issues effectively, helping clients develop practical strategies to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. Her approach ensures that each individual feels heard, respected, and empowered on their journey to well-being.
Matt is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and Precision Nutrition Coach. He earned a B.A. in Economics from University of Connecticut. With over 17 years of combined experience both personally and professionally, Matt enjoys working with clients to provoke an interest in total body healing and overall wellness. He is a leader in the art of guided movement.
Casey O’Brian is holds two Master’s degrees from Pepperdine University; one in Psychology and the other in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. Casey has spent the last ten years working in the drug and alcohol treatment sector, holding positions as both a therapist and case manager. In addition to his extensive experience working with those who are recovering from substance use and mental health disorders, he also has firsthand knowledge of the devastation that unaddressed substance use can have on one’s life. As a result, Casey continues to educate himself across a wide array of topics and shares up-to-date scientific findings in an effort to not only educate clients, but to normalize their symptoms. Similar to experts like Dr. Gabor Mate and Dr. Richard Scwartz, Casey views mental health symptoms, which include substance use, as invitations to explore what has happened in one’s life that has led to a dysfunction in the ability to regulate one’s emotions effectively. Using all the tools at his disposal, Casey’s main objective is to provide as many options to healing as possible and strives to make it clear to clients that although they are not to be blamed for the development of their symptoms, they are ultimately the ones responsible for choosing to address it.
Christine is an associate Marriage and Family Therapist. She is pursuing a doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant International University. She previously spent 17 years in Information Technology when she decided to pursue her lifelong dream of coming alongside those struggling with mental health difficulties.
Dr. Stefani LaFrenierre is a licensed Medical Doctor and is Double Board-Certified in Adult Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine. She received her Medical Degree from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and completed her Adult Psychiatry residency training at San Mateo Behavioral Health and Recovery Services. She also completed a fellowship through the Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma with a certification in Global Mental Health, Trauma and Recovery.
Dr. LaFrenierre has expertise in the treatment of depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, bipolar disorders, psychotic disorders, autism spectrum, neurodivergent spectrum, substance use and dual diagnosis disorders. She is experienced with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and integrative mind body medicine. She has performed in several leadership positions, including Medical Director of an addiction treatment group practice and as Chief Resident during her training. She has worked in a variety of mental health settings, including inpatient, outpatient, residential treatment centers, state hospitals and forensic hospitals, academic settings, and has experience with assertive community treatment and full-service partnership teams. She is committed to providing safe, equitable, and inclusive treatment for all.
Dr. Habermehl (“Dr. Dee”) earned her medical degree at New York University. She then completed an internship at Brown University, followed by a residency at Stanford University, in Palo Alto, California. She also earned her MBA with a Healthcare Focus at Yale University School of Management.
Dr. Habermehl is a specialist in Addiction Medicine and is Board Certified in Addiction Medicine and Gynecology and Obstetrics. She is a Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine as well as the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Lee Breitenbach is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who enjoys providing interventions in a warm, relatable manner to others. He will breakdown the goals of therapy through education while building rapport and engaging individuals in the present moment.
He currently practices at the Department of State Hospitals as the program assistant to the Trauma Informed Care (TIC) program. He is heavily involved in culturally based committees/workgroups, program development, intervention implementation, and trauma research. He attended California State University, Fullerton to earn a BA in Psychology followed by a Master’s in Social Work from California State University, Long Beach. He individually possesses over 20 years of experience practicing in the field of mental health. His skills range from his experience providing therapy in Group home settings, substance abuse programs, trauma groups for Veteran’s Affairs, Long Beach, hospice settings, and currently in-patient mental health care. He specializes in trauma recovery and group dynamics.
Sean Leonard is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner. He received his master’s degree in adult geriatric primary care nurse practitioner from Walden University and a second postmaster specialty in psychiatry mental health nurse practitioner from Rocky Mountain University. Sean has experience working in various diverse settings, including an outpatient clinic, inpatient detox and rehab, psychiatric emergency, and dual diagnosis programs. His specialty areas include substance abuse, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, PTSD, ADHD, and OCD.
Sean Leonard works primarily with adult populations but has been trained across the lifespan, from children/adolescents to geriatric. He offers medication management, crisis management, and psychotherapy with extensive experience in anxiety/OCD, depression, mood disorders, attention deficit disorders, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders. He believes that “everyone can benefit from therapy and that many may find great benefit from medicine. Therapy is cornerstone to my practice, medicine or not.”
Vaugh has a passion for assisting those struggling with mental health symptoms. His gentle approach to client care is warmly received by both staff and client’s at Redeemed Mental Health. He has a history of working with mentally aggressive disabled adults as a personal attendant.
Sophia Deahl, MS, RD is a functional medicine dietitian with an MS in Nutrition, Healthspan and Longevity from the University of Southern California and an undergraduate degree in psychology. She is dedicated to helping clients transform their physical and mental health and well-being with personalized nutrition and lifestyle support. She believes in a root-cause approach, helping her clients build sustainable lifestyle habits that support all six lifestyle pillars: nutrition, microbiome, sleep, stress, movement/exercise, hormones & detox support.
Chad Pinel, CADC ll. Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor. 9 years sober and eight years working in treatment. Specializes in Holotropic Breathing and meditation practices.
Donna is a PATH certified instructor with CTRI certificate. Donna began riding horses in College where she rode saddle seat, entered some shows, and won several ribbons.
After graduating from college with an engineering degree, Donna moved to California. Donna has three children. Her second child, Jamie, is severely developmentally delayed and autistic. When Jamie was eight-years-old, she began riding with The Therapeutic Riding Center (TRC) in Huntington Beach, and she flourished
Donna soon became a side-walker with TRC, and then a horse leader, which eventually led to her current positions as Board President and Head Instructor. Donna says, “I have seen first hand what this program can do for children and adults with all different types of disabilities. It builds confidence and self esteem where there is usually little.”
Donna currently owns a sweet horse named Trigger that does gymkhana, trail and recently, cow sorting (and yes, he is a Palomino!).
Dr. Andrea M. Wagner, Psy.D., is the backbone of Redeemed Mental Health. With a wealth of experience across various settings, Dr. Wagner brings a unique perspective to mental health treatment. She is passionate about making complex therapeutic issues easily understandable and provides a roadmap to mental well-being that is tailored to each individual’s unique journey.
Dr. Wagner strives to provide an easily understandable approach to difficult and complex therapeutic issues. She will translate complicated concepts related to mental health concerns into basic and simplistic strategies aimed to achieve the results you desire based on your individual needs.
She currently practices at Department of State Hospitals (California in-patient forensic psychiatric hospital) as an active member on multiple committees. She earned a Doctorate of Psychology in Clinical Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She has experience in various settings including the United States Army, UCI Medical Center (Partial Hospitalization Program; Adolescent), Juvenile Recovery Court (Substance and Behavioral Treatment), and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. She specializes in a broad range of psychiatric arenas in evaluations and treatment of multiple major mental illnesses.
Dr. Wagner specializes in treating adults struggling with the more severe ramifications their major mental health issue causes in their daily lives. She has extensive experience in psychological assessment to include personality, intelligence, developmental, and assessment of learning disabilities. She has the ability to treat an array of mental health issues ranging from Schizophrenia to codependency and coaching through life difficulties. She has specialty with psychotic disorders, personality disorders, and mood disorders.