Synopses & Reviews
Acceptance and commitment therapy, or ACT (pronounced as a word rather than letters), is an emerging psychotherapeutic technique first developed into a complete system in the book Acceptance and Commitment Therapy by Steven Hayes, Kirk Strosahl, and Kelly Wilson.
ACT marks what some call a third wave in behavior therapy. To understand what this means, it helps to know that the first wave refers to traditional behavior therapy, which works to replace harmful behaviors with constructive ones through a learning principle called conditioning. Cognitive therapy, the second wave of behavior therapy, seeks to change problem behaviors by changing the thoughts that cause and perpetuate them.
In the third wave, behavior therapists have begun to explore traditionally nonclinical treatment techniques like acceptance, mindfulness, cognitive defusion, dialectics, values, spirituality, and relationship development. These therapies reexamine the causes and diagnoses of psychological problems, the treatment goals of psychotherapy, and even the definition of mental illness itself.
ACT earns its place in the third wave by reevaluating the traditional assumptions and goals of psychotherapy. The theoretical literature on which ACT is based questions our basic understanding of mental illness. It argues that the static condition of even mentally healthy individuals is one of suffering and struggle, so our grounds for calling one behavior 'normal' and another 'disordered' are murky at best. Instead of focusing on diagnosis and symptom etiology as a foundation for treatment-a traditional approach that implies, at least on some level, that there is something 'wrong' with the client-ACT therapists begin treatment by encouraging the client to accept without judgment the circumstances of his or her life as they are. Then therapists guide clients through a process of identifying a set of core values. The focus of therapy thereafter is making short and long term commitments to act in ways that affirm and further this set of values. Generally, the issue of diagnosing and treating a specific mental illness is set aside; in therapy, healing comes as a result of living a value-driven life rather than controlling or eradicating a particular set of symptoms.
Emerging therapies like ACT are absolutely the most current clinical techniques available to therapists. They are quickly becoming the focus of major clinical conferences, publications, and research. More importantly, these therapies represent an exciting advance in the treatment of mental illness and, therefore, a real opportunity to alleviate suffering and improve people's lives.
Not surprisingly, many therapists are eager to include ACT in their practices. ACT is well supported by theoretical publications and clinical research; what it has lacked, until the publication of this book, is a practical guide showing therapists exactly how to put these powerful new techniques to work for their own clients.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Anxiety Disorders adapts the principles of ACT into practical, step-by-step clinical methods that therapists can easily integrate into their practices. The book focuses on the broad class of anxiety disorders, the most common group of mental illnesses, which includes general anxiety, panic disorder, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Written with therapists in mind, this book is easy to navigate, allowing busy professionals to find the information they need when they need it. It includes detailed examples of individual therapy sessions as well as many worksheets and exercises, the very important 'homework' clients do at home to reinforce work they do in the office.
Review
“In a nuanced and creative inversion of traditional approaches to the treatment of anxiety, Eifert and Forsyth offer clients the possibility of relinquishing their struggles with anxiety, by “treating” the struggle as the problem and letting fear play out to an increasingly disinterested audience of one. Acceptance, commitment, and mindfulness are essential to this process, and this book clearly lays the type of experiential learning foundation that allows clients to embody these concepts and, through their actions, develop a new relationship with their fears. This book will certainly become a vital clinical resource for any therapist, student or educator in the field of anxiety disorders.”
—Zindel V. Segal, Ph.D., the Morgan Firestone Chair in Psychotherapy and professor of psychiatry and psychology at the University of Toronto and author of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression
Review
“Eifert and Forsyth present the complexities and nuances of acceptance and commitment therapy for anxiety disorders in a fascinating and conceptually illuminating style and in a manner that is amply detailed to guide clinical practice. The principles that underlie acceptance and commitment therapy—to relinquish attempts to control internal states and instead focus upon valued life directions and goals—are brought to life with excellent case examples throughout their step-by-step guide for treating anxiety disorders. This book will be an invaluable resource for theoreticians and clinicians, novice and experienced alike.”
—Michelle G. Craske, Ph.D., director of the Anxiety Disorders Behavioral Research Program at the University of California, Los Angeles and author of Origins of Phobias and Anxiety Disorders
Review
“Eifert and Forsyth have done something revolutionary! They have taken the treatment of anxiety disorders far beyond the disease model that CBT has been stuck in by brilliantly examining the core psychological processes that make fear and anxiety disordered and explaining in clear language what all anxiety disorders have in common. Their conceptualization of fear and anxiety demonstrates the cutting edge of clinical research and development within CBT and its development into the so-called third wave behavior therapies. The book contains innovative and user-friendly session-by-session guidelines on how to apply ACT for all the major anxiety disorders. This therapist guide should be on every clinical psychology program’s reading list. It is truly an eye opener and a huge step forward in how we view and treat the suffering associated with anxiety disorders.”
—JoAnne Dahl, Ph.D., professor of clinical psychology at the University of Uppsala, Sweden, and author of Living Beyond Pain and Pain: A Vital Friend
Review
“Behavior therapy is undergoing extraordinary change. Mindfulness, acceptance, and values-oriented interventions are increasingly being included in interventions for a wide variety of problems in living. Eifert and Forsyth’s new anxiety text is a stunning example of the potential for this new wave of behavior therapies to remain connected to their scientific roots while exploring emerging treatment issues and technologies. This book is a must for the bookshelves of both clinicians and treatment developers.”
—Kelly G. Wilson, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology at the University of Mississippi and coauthor of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Review
“This book provides concrete treatment guidelines that are firmly grounded in a new and intriguing approach to emotion regulation: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. The authors are well known for their rigorous scientific studies and theoretical contributions to the field of anxiety disorders and behavior analysis. This book further demonstrates that they are highly skilled clinicians and masterful educators who are able to translate complex theories into simple and clearly formulated treatment techniques. The book is a reflection of the current paradigm shift from the studies of behaviors and cognitions to the study of and emotion regulation and, therefore, is a must-read for both the present and next generation of anxiety researchers.”
—Stefan G. Hofmann, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at the Center for Stress and Anxiety-Related Disorders at Boston University, and Editor of Cognitive and Behavioral Practice.
Review
“Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Anxiety Disorders provides a detailed, step-by-step account of how therapists can use ACT to help people who are suffering from these problems. Its comprehensiveness and session-by-session guides will help people who are novices to this approach understand and apply the fundamentals of ACT. Experienced ACT practitioners will also find this an extremely valuable resource, as Eifert and Forsyth have deftly tailored core ACT techniques to target the primary issues of people with anxiety-related problems. In addition, this book provides a considerable amount of new and innovative, out-of-session exercises and materials clients can use to strengthen their commitment to move through their anxiety and lead a vital life that they will value. In all, it’s a one-stop-shop ACT guide for treating anxiety disorders.”
—Frank Bond, BA, P.G.Dip., M.Sc., Ph.D., C.Psychol., ICTLHE, senior lecturer in the Department of Psychology at Goldsmiths College, University of London
Review
“This is an extremely useful book for professionals as well as educated clients. Focusing on the broad area of anxiety disorders, it does a superb job demonstrating how acceptance and commitment therapy can be applied to specific disorders. Avoiding the artificial constraints of DSM-IV or ICD-10 classifications of mental disorders, it emphasizes the functional similarities of the anxiety disorders and their common treatment strategies while at the same time taking into account some of their unique aspects.”
—Rainer F. Sonntag, MD, psychiatrist and psychotherapist in private practice in Olpe, Germany
Review
“Eifert and Forsyth are interpreters rather than the creators of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). So when they explain its value for the treatment of anxiety, they ground their commitment to this approach in their own extensive clinical and research experience in anxiety disorders, not in uncritical acceptance. Because they really understand the psychology of anxiety, they have produced an authoritative, beautifully written, usable manual for clinicians. Calling it a manual, however, belies its theoretical sophistication and its ability to inspire rather than stipulate. These properties make it particularly useful in diverse cultural and global contexts, where it can easily be molded to the real lives of real clients.”
—Ian M. Evans, Ph.D., professor and head of the School of Psychology at Massey University in Palmerston North, New Zealand, fellow of the American Psychological Association and the Royal Society of New Zealand, and author of Nonaversive Behavioral Interventions
Review
Written in the same spirit of creativity and discovery that has propelled 'third wave therapies' into the mainstream, Levin, Hayes, and their contributors compellingly illustrate how acceptance, mindfulness, and context are vital resources in reducing the seemingly intractable suffering caused by addictive behavior.”
Zindel Segal, PhD, author of The Mindful Way through Depression
Review
The addiction field is blessed with a variety of paths to recovery, and this volume presents cutting-edge, theory-based alternatives to traditional approaches. It explores some frontiers from which a next generation of addiction treatments is likely to emerge.”
William R. Miller, PhD, emeritus-distinguished professor of psychology and psychiatry at the University of New Mexico
Review
Steven C. Hayes and Michael E. Levin have put together a must-read for researchers, clinicians, and students of addictive behaviors and their treatment. This very substantive book is refreshingly diverse in both theoretical perspectives and clinical contexts of varying addictive behaviors. Held together by contextual cognitive behavioral therapy as a unifying theme, perspectives discussed include acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectic behavior therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP), motivational interviewing (MI), and metacognitive therapy (MCT), among others. Clinical problem areas range from detoxification, problem drinking, problem gambling, substance dependence (including borderline personality disorder), binge eating, shame and stigma associated with addictions, pornography addiction, and smoking cessation. With the unifying theme of teaching clients new ways of relating to their experiences, including distressing thoughts, feelings, and sensations, this book marks the progress that already has been achieved in these areas, while at the same time providing a roadmap for exciting future directions.”
Richard A. Brown, PhD, professor in the department of psychiatry and human behavior at Alpert Medical School of Brown University and director of addictions research at Butler Hospital
Review
In her social fitness model of extreme shyness and social phobia, Lynne Henderson provides a thoughtful and measured road map to guide therapists through the twists and turns of treating a problem that is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Of particular importance,
Helping Your Shy and Socially Anxious Client describes the role of high self-criticism in the cycle of social anxiety and avoidance, a cycle that traps socially anxious clients in a toxic emotional mix of fear, shame, and anger. Henderson then describes strategies to help free clients from this emotional quicksand so that that they can live fuller and more meaningful lives.”
Michael A. Tompkins, PhD, author of Anxiety and Avoidance
Review
Readers of this volume are fortunate to get the benefit of Lynne Hendersons deep understanding of social anxietyunderstanding based both on her attention to the latest science and on her many years of clinical experience treating individuals who struggle with this problem. An outstanding contribution.”
Jacqueline B. Persons, PhD, director at the San Francisco Bay Area Center for Cognitive Therapy and clinical professor in the department of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley
Review
Shyness and social anxiety can cause real misery and loneliness in peoples lives. In this important book, Lynne Hendersonone of the world leaders in the treatment of shynessoutlines her social fitness model and offers a wealth of insight into the problems and experiences faced by shy people. Based on considerable experience, as well as carefully researched and traditional cognitive behavior therapy interventions, this sympathetically written and easy-to-understand book will be of enormous help to many therapists for its clear and structured guidance.”
Paul Gilbert, PhD, author of The Compassionate Mind and Mindful Compassion
Review
Humans are social animals. For this reason, shyness and social anxiety can be highly distressing and disabling. Fortunately, there are effective psychological strategies to overcome these problems. In her new book,
Helping Your Shy and Socially Anxious Client, Lynne Henderson describes a simple, step-by-step treatment approach that is based on decades of research. It is a must-read for every mental health care professional who wants a clear and comprehensive guide to successfully treating these common problems.”
Stefan G. Hofmann, PhD, author of An Introduction to Modern CBT and professor of psychology at Boston University
Synopsis
Through this book, therapists will learn how to integrate acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) treatments for anxiety disorders into their practices. This text adapts ACT principles and techniques specifically for the treatment of anxiety disorders, presenting them in a clear and systematic step-by-step format. Includes a CD-ROM with client handouts.
Synopsis
This is the first step-by-step professional book that teaches therapists how to apply and integrate acceptance and mindfulness-based treatment for anxiety disorders in their practice by presenting acceptance and commitment therapy concepts, principles, and techniques.
Synopsis
The articles in Mindfulness and Acceptance for Addictive Behaviors introduce the latest research on using acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and other mindfulness and acceptance approaches for the treatment of a variety of addictions, including substance abuse, gambling addiction, pornography addiction, smoking, and bingeing. This book features articles by Linda Dimeff, Jennifer Sayrs, Kelly Wilson, Jonathan Bricker, and other leading researchers in this field.
Synopsis
As a clinician or researcher in the field of mental health or addictions, this book will offer you powerful insight into how acceptance and mindfulness-based interventions are being successfully used to treat a variety of addictive behaviors, ranging from substance abuse to gambling addiction.
Edited by Steven C. Hayes, a founder of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and a world renowned authority on mindfulness-based therapy, Mindfulness and Acceptance for Addictive Behaviors features chapters by leading substance abuse and addiction researchers. Each article illuminates the mindfulness and acceptance-based treatments that work best for particular addictive behaviors, reviews empirical data, and discusses future directions for research and treatment applications. An essential resource for mental health and addictions professionals, researchers, and students interested in the most effective treatments for addiction, this book will dramatically impact the way addictions of all kinds are viewed and addressed in therapy.
In this book, you will learn to apply mindfulness and acceptance to help patients with:
- Alcoholism
- Substance abuse
- Smoking cessation
- Gambling addiction
- Pornography addiction
- Binge eating
- Detoxification
- Self-stigma and shame
The Mindfulness and Acceptance Practica Series As mindfulness and acceptance-based therapies gain momentum in the field of mental health, it is increasingly important for professionals to understand the full range of their applications. To keep up with the growing demand for authoritative resources on these treatments, The Mindfulness and Acceptance Practica Series was created. These edited books cover a range of evidence-based treatments, such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), compassion-focused therapy (CFT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) therapy. Incorporating new research in the field of psychology, these books are powerful tools for mental health clinicians, researchers, advanced students, and anyone interested in the growth of mindfulness and acceptance strategies.
Synopsis
The Clinician’s Guide to Exposure Therapies for Anxiety Spectrum Disorders is a much-needed, organized manual that offers therapists a detailed menu of exposure exercises for the treatment of the most common fears and phobias. It includes strategies for increasing clients’ willingness to participate in exposure therapy and incorporates the most effective therapy exercises from cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and other modalities. Therapists can simply look up clients' symptoms to find the most effective exposure therapy treatment exercises for a client's particular anxiety issue.
Synopsis
As a mental health professional, it can be difficult to help anxious clients face their fears and anxieties. Exposure therapy is widely appreciated as one of the most effective therapeutic treatments for anxiety spectrum disorders; however, it is often underutilized due to problems that present themselves during treatment, such as client unwillingness or hesitancy, or a lack of understanding on the professionals part regarding targeted applications. The Clinician's Guide to Exposure Therapies for Anxiety Spectrum Disorders offers guidance in creating specific exposure exercises for clients individual fears and phobias, as well as tools to help you and your clients overcome common roadblocks that arise during exposure therapy.
In addition, this clinicians guide presents detailed solutions and specific exposure strategies for the most common fears and phobias clients experience. You will learn to implement exposure therapy and integrate it with other evidence-based practices, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). The book also includes reproducible worksheets you can use to help clients develop hierarchies of exposure and information about using prolonged exposure therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder. If you are looking for a powerful resource for treating anxiety disorders, this is it.
Synopsis
Helping Your Shy And Socially Anxious Client presents a breakthrough therapeutic approach to treating social anxiety.
In a world dominated by extroverts, being shy or socially anxious can make life especially challenging. And while there is nothing wrong with being naturally introverted, avoiding social contact due to extreme fear and anxiety can be very damaging both mentally and physically.
As a therapist, you understand that avoidance can often make a clients anxiety worse. But many clients with shyness and social anxiety believe they can never change. In fact, they may strategically adjust their lives to avoid social activities or situations that make them uncomfortable. In a sense, they allow their social "muscles" to atrophy, and in the end may become even more alienated and despondent. There is hope.
Just as physical fitness strengthens the body, "social fitness" can be developed through habit and action. In Helping Your Shy and Socially Anxious Client, shyness expert Lynne Henderson presents the Social Fitness programa twelve session cognitive behavioral model for clients with shyness and social anxiety. Inside, mental health professionals will learn powerful tools for helping clients strengthen their social skills, track their successes, and learn to cope with setbacks or hurdles.
The techniques described in this manual were developed for the Stanford Shyness Clinic by Philip Zimbardo, and are currently being used by the Shyness Institute in Berkeley to educate therapists and other counselors. Find out more at shyness.com.
About the Author
Georg H. Eifert, PhD, was ranked among the top thirty researchers in behavior analysis and therapy in the 1990s, and has authored over 100 publications on psychological causes and treatments of anxiety and other emotional disorders. He is clinical fellow of the Behavior Therapy and Research Society, a member of numerous national and international psychological associations, and serves on several editorial boards of leading clinical psychology journals. He is also a licensed clinical psychologist. He is coauthor of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Anxiety Disorders and ACT on Life, Not on Anger.John P. Forsyth, PhD, is a scientist, writer, and licensed clinical psychologist in upstate New York. He has traveled the world giving talks and workshops to the public and professionals about the benefits of mindful acceptance, kindness and compassion, and how to live a valued life using a new approach to psychological health and wellness called acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). He is associate professor of psychology, director of the doctoral training program in clinical psychology, and director of the Anxiety Disorders Research Program at the University at Albany, State University of New York. He has published many articles about how excessive struggle with unpleasant thoughts and emotions feeds human suffering, and what mindfulness and acceptance can offer as a solution. He is coauthor of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Anxiety Disorders, ACT on Life, Not on Anger, and The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Anxiety. His work has helped foster growing international interest in acceptance and mindfulness approaches in psychology, mental health care, medicine, and society.Steven C. Hayes, PhD, is Nevada Foundation Professor and director of clinical training at the department of psychology at the University of Nevada. An author of 38 books and over 540 scientific articles, his career has focused on analysis of the nature of human language and cognition, and its application to the understanding and alleviation of human suffering and promotion of human prosperity. Among other associations, Hayes has been president of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy, and the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science. His work has received several awards, including the Impact of Science on Application Award from the Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy.
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