acceptance commitment therapy book

_acceptance-commitment therapy book

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a therapeutic approach that emphasizes the importance of mindfulness, mindfulness, and being present in the moment. This approach is based on the idea that mental rigidity is the root cause of many clinical problems, and by cultivating psychological flexibility, individuals can effectively address and overcome these challenges.

There are many books available that provide insight into various aspects of ACT. Below, we have compiled a list of the top 14 acceptance and commitment therapy books that are considered to be the best resources available. These books range from classic texts for individuals and groups to self-help books for clients, as well as ACT workbooks for specific client groups.

1. ACT Made Simple: This book is written by Russ Harris and is a must-read for anyone new to ACT. Harris breaks down the six core principles of ACT into simple, easy-to-understand concepts, making it accessible for new practitioners. The book includes exercises, ACT metaphors, scripts, and worksheets that can be used with clients, as well as a session-by-session guide for implementing ACT.

2. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Process and Practice of Mindful Change: This book is written by Steven C. Hayes, Kirk D. Strosahl, and Kelly G. Wilson, and provides a thorough overview of ACT, including its philosophical foundation, therapeutic relationship, and case formulation. The new edition covers advancements in clinical applications, theory building, and research, and focuses on enhancing psychological flexibility.

3. The Essential Guide to the ACT Matrix: This book presents the core concepts of ACT in a simple way to help clients understand how ACT works. The ACT matrix fusion of six core principles of ACT into a simplified approach is presented, which can be applied to a range of contexts, especially when clients are resistant or unmotivated. The emphasis is on learning to track where certain behaviors take the client: either toward or away from their personal values.

4. The Big Book of ACT Metaphors: This resource book provides an A-to-Z library of new ACT metaphors as well as other experiential exercises to help perfect these powerful tools. ACT practitioners often use metaphors to explain concepts in therapy sessions, and this book provides a wide range of new metaphors to help practitioners.

5. Learning ACT for Group Treatment: This book provides a comprehensive manual for applying ACT to group work, including instructions for organizing group sessions, facilitating cooperation between group members, and including a range of activities that promote psychological flexibility. The book specifically addresses how the benefits of the ACT approach can be enhanced in a group setting due to the presence of more participants.

6. Learning ACT: An Acceptance & Commitment Therapy Skills-Training Manual for Therapists: This book is a skills training manual for ACT therapists that breaks down ACT into a series of competencies. The second edition includes important revisions based on new research in contextual behavioral science, as well as updated information on process coaching, an increased focus on functional analysis.

7. Advanced Acceptance & Commitment Therapy: The Experienced Practitioner’s Guide to Optimizing Delivery: This is the only advanced professional ACT workbook designed to help you close the gap between what you've learned in ACT training and client sessions. The author provides practical tips for overcoming common barriers to successful therapy, such as over-identifying with clients or applying theory to practice.

8. Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life: The New Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: This self-help workbook is written by Steven C. Hayes with Spencer Smith and provides an accessible introduction to ACT for both ACT practitioners and clients. The book explains the ACT model, including the hexaflex and six core processes, and includes exercises, worksheets, and metaphors to translate theory into practical action.

9. ACTivate Your Life: Using Acceptance and Mindfulness to Build a Life That Is Rich, Fulfilling and Fun: This book aims to help readers become more engaged, open, and accepting of themselves and others. It includes a strong mindfulness component and presents character stories that illustrate how the exercises can be used to accept uncomfortable emotions and lead a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

10. The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living: This book is the quintessential ACT self-help book written in an accessible, entertaining, and engaging style. The book explains the ACT model to teach concrete skills that can help the reader switch from a striving and struggling goal-based mindset to an accepting, values-driven mindset.

11. ACT Therapy Workbooks

• The ACT Workbook for Depression & Shame: Overcome Thoughts of Defectiveness and Increase Well-Being Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy – provides a self-help workbook for clients struggling with low mood, poor self-worth, feelings of inferiority, and brokenness. The book uses ACT self-help techniques to help overcome the limiting and self-defeating beliefs that keep people trapped in depression.

• The ACT Workbook for OCD: Mindfulness, Acceptance, and Exposure Skills to Live Well with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder – combines evidence-based ACT with exposure and response prevention as an effective treatment for those struggling with obsessive-compulsive neurosis. This book is written for use by practitioners in clinical sessions and as a self-help resource for those diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

• Acceptance and Commitment Skills for Perfectionism and High-Achieving Behaviors – teaches readers how to develop ACT skills to harness the power of high-achieving behaviors while living the life they want to live. The book equips high-achievers with a more workable relationship with their concerns about not being good enough by embracing self-compassion for their imperfections.

• ACT with Anxiety: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook to Get You Unstuck From Anxiety and Enrich Your Live – provides an accessible and entertaining workbook for clinicians and clients looking to transform anxiety and create a richer and more fulfilling life.

12. Positive Psychology Tools – provides access to the Association for Positive Psychology's signature collection of 17 validated positive psychology tools for practitioners. These tools are designed to help individuals enhance their wellbeing and thrive.