- Presents an authoritative overview of ACT principles and research - Emphasizes the intentional development of 6 core behavioral processes: Values, committed action, acceptance, defusion, self-as-content, and present moment awareness - Written by leading experts in the field, drawing on decades of research to develop their theories and clinical programmes

Get ready to take a different perspective on your problems and your life--and the way you live it. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a new, scientifically based psychotherapy that takes a fresh look at why we suffer and even what it means to be mentally healthy. What if pain were a normal, unavoidable part of the human condition, but avoiding or trying to control painful experience were the cause of suffering and long-term problems that can devastate your quality of life? The ACT process hinges on this distinction between pain and suffering. As you work through this book, you'll learn to let go of your struggle against pain, assess your values, and then commit to acting in ways that further those values.

ACT is not about fighting your pain; it's about developing a willingness to embrace every experience life has to offer. It's not about resisting your emotions; it's about feeling them completely and yet not turning your choices over to them. ACT offers you a path out of suffering by helping you choose to live your life based on what matters to you most. If you're struggling with anxiety, depression, or problem anger, this book can help--clinical trials suggest that ACT is very effective for a whole range of psychological problems. But this is more than a self-help book for a specific complaint--it is a revolutionary approach to living a richer and more rewarding life. Learn why the very nature of human language can cause suffering Escape the trap of avoidance Foster willingness to accept painful experience Practice mindfulness skills to achieve presence in the moment Discover the things you really value most Commit to living a vital, meaningful life

"This book has been awarded The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Self-Help Seal of Merit -- an award bestowed on outstanding self-help books that are consistent with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) principles and that incorporate scientifically tested strategies for overcoming mental health difficulties. Used alone or in conjunction with therapy, our books offer powerful tools readers can use to jump-start changes in their lives."

1) The book provides updated, ACT-consistent metaphors and exercises for busy mental health professionals working with Christian clients 2) Mental health professionals will want to buy the book because ACT provides a flexible, evidence-based approach to working with clients with a variety of symptoms and disorders and their Christian clients may wish to turn to their own faith tradition for help with psychological suffering 3) Although there are a variety of ACT textbooks for mental health professionals and corresponding workbooks for their clients, there are no other ACT textbooks on the market, to my understanding, that focus on modifying ACT in a Christian-sensitive manner for working with Christian clients in psychotherapy.

Functional analytic psychotherapy (FAP) is a proven-effective treatment for mental health disorders, and has been shown to enhance the quality of interpersonal relationships. If you're a therapist, how you relate to your clients can have a profound impact on treatment outcomes. This book integrates the latest research on the importance of the therapist-client relationship with the new science of social connection into a user-friendly, contextual behavioral framework. In this book, you'll find an introduction of the promise and foundation of FAP with an emphasis on practice and reflection, and then dive deeper into each separate element of practice: assessment and case conceptualization, present-moment experience, emotions, self and values, exercises, mistakes in FAP, and getting "unstuck" in therapy. You'll also learn to help clients implement awareness, courage, and love as the basis of all social connection. Finally, you'll learn how this treatment model can be used to respond to some of the most challenging issues clinicians face, such as clients who aren't improving, clients with whom your relationship is very intense or volatile, clients who are hard to like, and clients with whom there is a lot of frustration or unspoken conflict. No matter your treatment background, this book will provide invaluable strategies for adopting functional analytic psychotherapy in your practice, enhancing relationships with your clients, and improving overall treatment outcomes.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is among the most remarkable developments in contemporary psychotherapy. This second edition of the pioneering ACT skills-training manual for clinicians provides a comprehensive update-essential for both experienced practitioners and those new to using ACT and its applications. ACT is a proven-effective treatment for numerous mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, stress, addictions, eating disorders, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, and more. With important revisions based on new developments in contextual behavioral science, Learning ACT, Second Edition includes up-to-date exercises and references, as well as material on traditional, evidence-based behavioral techniques for use within the ACT framework. In this fully revised and updated edition of Learning ACT, you'll find workbook-format exercises to help you understand and take advantage of ACT's unique six process model-both as a tool for diagnosis and case conceptualization, and as a basis for structuring treatments for clients. You'll also find up-to-the minute information on process coaching, new experiential exercises, an increased focus on functional analysis, and downloadable extras that include role played examples of the core ACT processes in action. By practicing the exercises in this workbook, you'll learn how this powerful modality can improve clients' psychological flexibility and help them to live better lives. Whether you're a clinician looking for in-depth training and better treatment outcomes for individual clients, a student seeking a better understanding of this powerful modality, or anyone interested in contextual behavioral science, this second edition provides a comprehensive revision to an important ACT resource.

Since the original publication of this seminal work, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) has come into its own as a widely practiced approach to helping people change. This book provides the definitive statement of ACT--from conceptual and empirical foundations to clinical techniques--written by its originators. ACT is based on the idea that psychological rigidity is a root cause of a wide range of clinical problems. The authors describe effective, innovative ways to cultivate psychological flexibility by detecting and targeting six key processes: defusion, acceptance, attention to the present moment, self-awareness, values, and committed action. Sample therapeutic exercises and patient-therapist dialogues are integrated throughout. New to This Edition *Reflects tremendous advances in ACT clinical applications, theory building, and research. *Psychological flexibility is now the central organizing focus. *Expanded coverage of mindfulness, the therapeutic relationship, relational learning, and case formulation. *Restructured to be more clinician friendly and accessible; focuses on the moment-by-moment process of therapy.

The future of psychology is process-based. This groundbreaking workbook offers concrete strategies for utilizing the core competencies of process-based therapy, and provides step-by-step guidance for formulating effective treatment plans. For decades, evidence-based mental health treatments have been defined in terms of scientifically validated protocols focused on syndromes. Many therapies-including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-have historically been identified with that approach, but this is rapidly changing. A process focus is now emerging for a number of methods within the family of CBT, as the era of "protocols for syndromes" passes away. Written by renowned psychologists Steven C. Hayes and Stefan G. Hofmann, The Process-Based Therapy Workbook will show you how to utilize the core competencies of process-based therapy (PBT) in a way that honors the behavioral, cognitive, and acceptance and mindfulness wings of CBT. In the workbook, you'll find a comprehensive road map to the theoretical foundations of PBT, as well as step-by-step guidance to help you formulate treatment plans that address the unique needs of each client-leading to better therapeutic outcomes. Whether you are a clinician or a student of the behavioral sciences, this workbook offers everything you need to understand and implement PBT in your work.

As a mental health clinician, you know that every client is unique and a client's symptoms are the result of a complex combination of psychological, environmental, genetic, and neural factors. However, the de facto DSM model poses considerable constraints on how you can treat clients-often resulting in a one-size-fits-all diagnosis. This important volume challenges the assumptions and approach made by the DSM, and provides a vision and plan for an evidence-based, process-based approach to individualised care. With contributions from renowned experts in the field-including Steven C. Hayes, Stefan G. Hofmann, Joseph Ciarrochi, Matthew McKay, Uma Vaidyanathan, Sarah Morris, David Sommers, J. Scott Fraser, and many more-this groundbreaking book will show you a new way to recognize the complexity of human suffering and human prosperity. You'll find solid tips for treating a wide variety of psychological issues in a more flexible way. And, finally, you'll come away with a greater understanding of the "processes of change," and how to build a solid foundation for an alternative to syndromal diagnosis. The future of mental health treatment is process-based. Whether you're a clinician, researcher, student, instructor, or other professional working in the mental health field, this breakthrough volume offers everything you need to understand process-based treatment and create a more customized and effective approach to treating clients.

This clinical guide shows therapists how to create effective, innovative, and values-driven exposures for treating clients with anxiety and avoidant behaviours. The exposures outlined in this book are easy-to-implement, easily tolerated by clients, and work to strengthen psychological flexibility. Exposure therapy is a proven-effective treatment for anxiety-related disorders; however, it is also one of the most challenging to implement-for both clinicians and clients. This comprehensive guide provides innovative exposures grounded in evidence-based acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to help your clients face their fears and live a values-driven life. The exposures outlined in this book are easy-to-implement, easily tolerated by clients, and work to strengthen psychological flexibility-a core process of change within ACT which involves learning to remain in contact with uncomfortable experiences while taking valued action toward creating positive and meaningful life changes. Studies have shown that ACT interventions can increase client willingness to engage in exposure therapy. Whether you are new to ACT and exposure or are experienced in traditional exposure therapy and are interested in incorporating ACT in your treatment sessions, this book is an essential resource for your professional library.

CBT is one of the most proven-effective and widely used forms of psychotherapy today. But while there are plenty of books that provide an overview of CBT, this is the first to present the newest recommendations set forth by a special task force of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies-and that focuses on the application of these interventions based on a variety of approaches for doctoral-level education and training. Starting with an exploration of the science and theoretical foundations of CBT, then moving into a thorough presentation of the clinical processes, this book constitutes an accessible, comprehensive guide to grasping and using even the most difficult competencies. Each chapter of Core Processes of Cognitive Behavioral Therapies is written by a leading authority in that field, and their combined expertise presents the best of behavior therapy and analysis, cognitive therapy, and the acceptance and mindfulness therapies. Most importantly, in addition to gaining an up-to-date understanding of the core processes, with this premiere text you'll learn exactly how to put them into practice for maximum efficacy. For practitioners, researchers, students, instructors, and other professionals working with CBT, this breakthrough textbook-poised to set the standard in coursework and training-provides the guidance you need to fully comprehend and utilize the core competencies of CBT in a way that honors the behavioral, cognitive, and acceptance and mindfulness wings of the tradition.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is more than just a set of techniques for structuring psychotherapeutic treatment; it also offers a new, insightful, transdiagnostic approach to case conceptualization and to mental health in general. Learn to put this popular new psychotherapeutic model to work in your practice with this book, the first guide that explains how to do case conceptualization within an ACT framework.

ACT in Practice offers an introduction to ACT, an overview of its impact, and a brief introduction to the six core processes of ACT treatment--the six points of the hexaflex model and its pathological alter ego, the so-called inflexahex. It describes how to accomplish case conceptualizations in general and offers precis of the literature that establish the importance and value of case conceptualization. This guide also offers possible alternative case conceptualization for cases from different therapeutic traditions, a great help to therapists who come from a more traditional CBT background. Exercises throughout help you to evaluate the information you have just learned so that you may effectively integrate ACT into your practice.

ACT for Psychosis Recovery is the first book to provide a breakthrough, evidence-based, step-by-step approach for group work with clients suffering from psychosis. As evidenced in a study by Patricia A. Bach and Steven C. Hayes, patients with psychotic symptoms who received acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in addition to treatment as usual showed half the rate of rehospitalization as those who did not. With this important guide, you'll learn how a patient's recovery can be both supported and sustained by promoting acceptance, mindfulness, and values-driven action. The journey of personal recovery from psychosis is immensely challenging. Patients often struggle with paranoia, auditory hallucinations, difficulties with motivation, poor concentration and memory, and emotional dysregulation. In addition, families and loved ones may have trouble understanding psychosis, and stigmatizing attitudes can limit opportunity and create alienation for patients. True recovery from psychosis means empowering patients to take charge of their lives. Rather than focusing on pathology, ACT teaches patients how to stay grounded in the present moment, disengage from their symptoms, and pursue personally meaningful lives based on their values. In this groundbreaking book, you will learn how to facilitate ACT groups based on a central metaphor (Passengers on the Bus), so that mindfulness and values-based action are introduced in a way that is engaging and memorable. You will also find tips and strategies to help clients identify valued directions, teach clients how to respond flexibly to psychotic symptoms, thoughts, and emotions that have been barriers to living a valued life, and lead workshops that promote compassion and connection among participants. You'll also find tried and tested techniques for engaging people in groups, particularly those traditionally seen as "hard to reach"-people who may be wary of mental health services or experience paranoia. And finally, you'll gain skills for engaging participants from various ethnic backgrounds. Finding purpose and identity beyond mental illness is an important step in a patient's journey toward recovery. Using the breakthrough approach in this book, you can help clients gain the insight needed to achieve lasting well-being.

*Highly anticipated, accessible, unique guide focusing on the use of language from a relational frame theory (RFT) perspective. *Creative framework for using language to elicit core client issues and promote more healthful thoughts and behaviors. *Coauthors are clinical researchers and skilled therapists; Hayes is an RFT pioneer and codeveloper of acceptance and commitment therapy. *RFT is increasingly influential, yet existing resources on the topic are impenetrable. *Perfect resource for evidence-based psychotherapists at all levels, including practitioners of CBT, acceptance and commitment therapy, and mindfulness-based therapies.

The definitive, complete guide to using ACT in clinical practice. With a therapist friendly, accessible structure, the originators of this increasingly popular therapy demonstrate how to intervene with clients to strengthen six key processes that promote psychological flexibility and well-being. Since the original publication of this seminal work, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) has come into its own as a widely practiced approach to helping people change. This book provides the definitive statement of ACT--from conceptual and empirical foundations to clinical techniques--written by its originators. ACT is based on the idea that psychological rigidity is a root cause of a wide range of clinical problems. The authors describe effective, innovative ways to cultivate psychological flexibility by detecting and targeting six key processes: defusion, acceptance, attention to the present moment, self-awareness, values, and committed action. Sample therapeutic exercises and patient-therapist dialogues are integrated throughout.

In this book, first published in the UK in 1984, John Cone and Stephen Hayes explore the relation between physical environment and human behaviour. A fledgling field at the time, this study of the roots of environmentally relevant psychology has proved both fruitful and exciting. Within this text, Cone and Hayes first explore the fields of physical and behavioural technology, and the few studies previously conducted around the latter. They then focus their attention on the principles and methodologies of the study of environmentally relevant behaviour and psychology, absorbing the work undertaken thus far on factors such as population control and noise pollution, and assembling its conclusions. A summary of the tasks facing researchers at the time then rounds off a text which will be invaluable in the analysis of the early and often trepid steps taken in the study of the physical environment and its connections to human behaviour.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a unique empirically- based psychological intervention that uses acceptance and mindfulness processes, and commitment and behavior change processes to produce psychological flexibility. Steven C. Hayes, who helped develop ACT, and co-author Jason Lillis provide an overview of ACT's main influences and its basic principles. In this succinct and understandable survey, the authors show how ACT illuminates the ways that language encourages unhelpful skirmishing in clients' psychic lives, and how to use ACT to help clients accept private experiences, become more mindful of thoughts, develop greater clarity about personal values, and commit to needed behavior change. The latest edition in the Theories of Psychotherapy series, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy examines the therapy's history and process, evaluates the therapy's evidence base and effectiveness, and suggests future directions in the therapy's development.

New Directions in the Treatment of PTSD

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) offers a promising, empirically validated approach to the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma related problems. In this volume, you'll find a complete theoretical and practical guide to making this revolutionary new model work in your practice.

After a quick overview of PTSD, the first part of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Trauma-Related Problems explains the problem of experiential avoidance as it relates to trauma and explores the verbal nature of post-traumatic stress. You'll learn the importance of mindfulness and acceptance in the ACT model, find out how to structure sessions with your clients, and examine the problem of control. The section concludes by introducing you to the idea of creative hopelessness as the starting point for creating a new, workable life after trauma.

The book's second section offers a practical, step-by-step clinical guide to the six core ACT components in chronological order: Creative hopelessnessThe problem of controlWillingness and defusionSelf-as-contextValued livingCommitted action

Each chapter explains how to introduce these topics to clients suffering from PTSD, illustrates each with case examples, and offers homework for your clients to use between sessions.

This volume examines the role of mindfulness principles and practices in a range of well-established cognitive and behavioral treatment approaches. Leading scientist-practitioners describe how their respective modalities incorporate such nontraditional themes as mindfulness, acceptance, values, spirituality, being in relationship, focusing on the present moment, and emotional deepening. Coverage includes acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, integrative behavioral couple therapy, behavioral activation, and functional analytic psychotherapy. Contributors describe their clinical methods and goals, articulate their theoretical models, and examine similarities to and differences from other approaches.