Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

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.

Steven C. Hayes, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, USA Kirk D. Strosahl, PhD, Central Washington Family Medicine, USA Kelly G. Wilson, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Mississippi, USA

"Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Second Edition, presents new data and clinical insights and expresses the theoretical foundations of ACT in a fresh way. The original book was an extraordinary achievement; the second edition is even better. It shows exactly how basic science and therapeutic application can combine in the service of new and effective methods to alleviate suffering. This book is essential reading for all students and practitioners in clinical psychology, counselling, and psychiatry." - Mark Williams, Oxford University, UK "A 'must read' for everyone in the field of psychotherapy or behavior therapy, as well as students entering the profession. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is one of those rare books grounded in both creative, innovative theory and solid data. The significantly revised second edition reviews the growing body of research support for ACT and presents new developments in case conceptualization and treatment implementation." - David H. Barlow, Boston University, and Center fo