Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is a type of psychological intervention that focuses on the development of psychological flexibility, or the ability to contact the present moment and accept negative thoughts without judgment. Created by Steven C. Hayes, Kirk D. Strosahl, and Kelly G. Wilson, ACT focuses on directing behavior in ways that match clients’ core values. Unlike cognitive behavioral therapy, ACT does not stress the importance of controlling thoughts, feelings, or mental health disorder symptoms; instead, ACT therapists encourage their clients to accept their feelings unconditionally, even when those feelings are initially very painful. Therapists using ACT help their clients define a set of core values—goals or states of mind that are important to the client. With these core values in mind, the client commits to acting in ways that reinforce and further these values regardless of the limits and restrictions imposed on them by their condition. The six core principles of ACT are cognitive defusion, acceptance, contact with the present moment, observing the self, values, and committed action. ACT has been proven effective for the treatment of depression, anxiety, stress, addictions, eating disorders, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, and myriad other mental health issues.
-
Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life for Teens
Joseph V. Ciarrochi, Louise L. Hayes and Ann Bailey
-
The Reality Slap
Russ Harris
-
The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Bulimia
Emily K. Sandoz, Kelly G. Wilson and Troy DuFrene
-
Learning RFT
Niklas Törneke
-
Your Life on Purpose
Matthew McKay, John P. Forsyth and Georg H. Eifert
-
ACT with Love
Russ Harris
-
A CBT Practitioner's Guide to ACT
Joseph V. Ciarrochi and Ann Bailey
-
Acceptance and Mindfulness Treatments for Children and Adolescents
Edited by Laurie A. Greco and Steven C. Hayes