Divya Sharma, Registered Social Worker, offers Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in Calgary at Therapy for People, in person at Langley House in Bankview and online. Individual sessions with Divya are $220 for 60 minutes, $275 for 75 minutes and $330 for 90 minutes.

ACT (said like the word "act") is a mindfulness-based talk therapy. It helps you make room for painful thoughts and feelings instead of fighting them, get clear on what you value, and take steps toward the life you want.

Your therapist

Divya Sharma, BSc, BSW, MSW, RSW

Registered Social Worker

Divya uses ACT as part of an integrative approach, alongside CBT, DBT, Emotion-Focused Therapy and mindfulness-based strategies. She works with individuals, couples and families.

Book with Divya Read about Divya

What ACT is

Misery often comes from arguing with reality. We wrestle with anxious thoughts, push grief down, and arrange whole lives around avoiding discomfort. The struggle can end up taking more room than the feeling ever did.

ACT offers another way of relating to what goes on inside you. In plain words, it works with six things:

• Acceptance: letting feelings be there without a fight.
• Defusion: stepping back from thoughts, so you can see them as thoughts.
• Present moment: paying attention to what is happening now.
• The observing self: the part of you that notices, and stays steady while thoughts and feelings come and go.
• Values: what matters to you, and the kind of person you want to be.
• Committed action: small, concrete steps in that direction, even when it is hard.

What an ACT session is like

ACT sessions mix short mindfulness exercises, metaphors and plain conversation. You might practise noticing a thought like "I am going to fail" and restating it as "I am having the thought that I am going to fail". That small shift gives you a little room to choose what to do next.

You will also spend time on values: how you want to show up at work, at home and in your relationships. Sessions often end with one small step to take before the next one. The focus stays on living well alongside difficult feelings, instead of waiting for them to disappear first.

Who ACT may suit

ACT may suit you if:

• You have tried hard to get rid of anxious or painful thoughts, and they keep coming back.
• You avoid things that matter to you because of how they make you feel.
• You are living with ongoing stress, illness, pain or uncertainty.
• You are at a crossroads and want to choose by your values.
• Perfectionism or self-criticism keeps you from starting.
• Life feels like it is running on autopilot, and you want it to feel like your own again.

ACT alongside other approaches

Divya's approach is integrative. ACT may be combined with CBT, DBT, Emotion-Focused Therapy and mindfulness, depending on your goals. She also brings ACT into couples and family work, where shared values give everyone something to move toward together.

Common questions

What is ACT?

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a mindfulness-based talk therapy. It focuses on making room for difficult thoughts and feelings, getting clear on your values, and taking small steps toward what matters. In Calgary, ACT is offered by Divya Sharma, Registered Social Worker, at Therapy for People.

How much does ACT cost at Therapy for People?

Individual sessions with Divya are $220 for 60 minutes, $275 for 75 minutes and $330 for 90 minutes. Divya is a Registered Social Worker, and many workplace benefit plans cover services from Registered Social Workers. Check your own plan for details. We direct bill Sun Life and Telus Health. See all fees and insurance.

Is ACT available online?

Yes. Sessions are offered online and in person. From November 1, 2026, in-person sessions are at Langley House, 1909 17th Ave SW in Bankview, Calgary, with free parking.

Who offers ACT at Therapy for People?

Divya Sharma, BSc, BSW, MSW, RSW, a Registered Social Worker with more than 11 years of experience in mental health and clinical practice. She provides individual, couples and family counselling.

How is ACT different from CBT?

Both come from the same family of therapies. CBT looks closely at whether a thought is accurate and how to change it. ACT focuses on your relationship with thoughts and feelings: noticing them, making room for them, and acting on your values while they are there.

Do I need to know how to meditate?

No. ACT uses short, simple mindfulness exercises alongside conversation and practical steps. You do not need any meditation experience.

What happens at the first session?

Divya will get to know you: what brought you in, what you have tried, and what you hope will change. Before that, you can book a free meet and greet to see whether she is the right fit.