A brief grounding protocol developed in ACT for moments of emotional storm. The client acknowledges inner experience, reconnects with the body and engages with the world around them. The aim is not to calm down instantly, but to become steady enough to choose the next action.
Step-by-step guide
- Acknowledge what is present: "I am noticing anxiety, tightness and the thought that I cannot cope."
- Come back into the body: press feet into the floor, straighten the spine, breathe, move fingers or shoulders.
- Engage with the environment: name what you see, hear and touch.
- Repeat the cycle slowly two or three times.
- Ask: "Now that the storm is still here but you are anchored, what is one useful next step?"
When to use
- Panic or intense anxiety.
- Flashbacks or intrusive memories.
- Emotional flooding.
- The client is lost in thoughts and needs present-moment contact quickly.
Key phrases
Let's drop anchor. First, acknowledge what is showing up inside you.
Follow-up questions
Now press your feet into the floor. Feel the chair supporting you.
Look around and name three things you can see.
The storm may still be here. And you are also here. What can you do next?
Alternative phrasings
A-C-E: Acknowledge inner experience, Come back into your body, Engage with the world.
Warnings
- ⚠️ No specific contraindications.
- ⚠️ If the client is highly dissociated, keep instructions concrete, external and short.
Source: Harris, R. (2019). ACT Made Simple, 2nd ed. New Harbinger
Materials are informational and educational and summarize publicly available scientific sources. They are not medical or psychological advice, are not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment, and do not replace consultation with a qualified professional.