How the ACT Matrix Became My Passion

I was first introduced to the ACT Matrix in 2009 when I began working as a recovery worker, facilitating groups with people who were navigating addiction. At the time, I worked in a day service in Portsmouth, where Mark Webster, the co-creator of the ACT Matrix, was training and running groups. Mark and his co-creator, Dr Kevin Polk, developed the ACT Matrix as a way to support people who were particularly stuck—whether due to addiction, trauma, or other challenges.

Mark was delivering this work in the UK, and across the pond in the U.S., Kevin was testing the ACT Matrix with veterans. Both populations were massively benefiting from this visual tool. What struck me back then—and continues to inspire me now—was how accessible and impactful this approach is. It’s not prescriptive, and it doesn’t require years of training for someone to start using it in a meaningful way. It meets people where they are.

From that point, I was hooked. I spent the next 15 years honing my skills with the ACT Matrix, training under some of the best in the field, including Mark Webster himself. I also trained in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), though truth be told, I only pursued that training because at the time, there weren’t structured courses available for the ACT model. My personal mindfulness and acceptance practice underpins everything I do, and it’s been a constant support for me as I’ve facilitated thousands of groups over the years, primarily in recovery services.

And now, I find myself on the edge of something that feels incredibly serendipitous.

Coming from a military family, the opportunity to work with veterans feels like the merging of my personal story and professional passion. My dad was a bomb disposal expert in the army for 22 years. My brother was a para commando. My mum also served, and I married a firefighter. Military life shaped so much of who I am, and yet my professional path has taken me into the world of addiction recovery and behavioural change. To have the chance to bring those two worlds together—using the ACT Matrix to support veterans as they transition into civilian life—feels like a profound full circle.

Over the years, I’ve shared the ACT Matrix with my brother, and he’s found it helpful. It’s a tool that allows people to step back, see their struggles with clarity, and begin aligning their actions with what truly matters to them. Not every approach resonates with everyone, and that’s okay. But I’ve seen first hand how this model can help people who feel stuck—whether it’s from trauma, addiction, or the challenges of life in general.

Veterans face unique hurdles as they navigate life after service. I believe deeply that the ACT Matrix can play a role in supporting that process. It’s not about fixing or saving anyone; it’s about giving people the tools to see their lives more clearly and take steps toward what they care about most.

This work, for me, is more than a job. It’s a passion that weaves together my skills, my personal history, and my belief in the resilience of the human spirit. I’m genuinely excited to see how this unfolds and to have the opportunity to share the ACT Matrix with a community that’s so close to my heart.