Can a 5-Session therapy ease student stress? new trial aims to find out

This study compares two group therapies for university students aged 18-28 who have moderate anxiety and depression. One group receives Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which teaches skills to accept difficult emotions and live according to personal values. The other group gets a supportive, non-directive therapy that provides empathy and listening. The goal is to see which approach better reduces emotional symptoms and improves flexibility in thinking. The trial involves 48 participants and uses questionnaires, daily phone surveys, and interviews to measure results.