Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

This book offers a comprehensive overview of the central theoretical tenets of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), guidance on key practical applications of the approach, and reflection on the strategic issues inherent to the delivery of this psychological intervention. This thoroughly revised edition explains and demonstrates the range of acceptance, mindfulness, and behaviour change strategies that can be used in the service of helping people increase their psychological flexibility and wellbeing. Divided into three main parts, the book provides the reader with a solid grounding from which to develop their delivery of ACT-consistent interventions. This new edition also includes an update of the research literature and a review of new developments, techniques, and approaches within ACT theory and practice, fortified with a greater appreciation of diversity issues, such as the application of ACT across different groups and cultures. This book will be of interest to students and practitioners of ACT from a range of disciplines spanning clinical, organisational, coaching, counselling, and psychotherapy settings.

This book offers a comprehensive overview of the central theoretical tenets of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), guidance on key practical applications of the approach, and reflection on the strategic issues inherent to the delivery of this psychological intervention. This thoroughly revised edition explains and demonstrates the range of acceptance, mindfulness, and behaviour change strategies that can be used in the service of helping people increase their psychological flexibility and wellbeing. Divided into three main parts, the book provides the reader with a solid grounding from which to develop their delivery of ACT-consistent interventions. This new edition also includes an update of the research literature and a review of new developments, techniques, and approaches within ACT theory and practice, fortified with a greater appreciation of diversity issues, such as the application of ACT across different groups and cultures. This book will be of interest to students and practitioners of ACT from a range of disciplines spanning clinical, organisational, coaching, counselling, and psychotherapy settings.

This book empowers both new and seasoned clinicians to enhance their proficiency in acceptance and commitment therapy. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is rooted in a behavioral and contextual understanding of human suffering, with language and cognition playing a central role. While the capacity for language enables creativity, planning, and connection, it also allows humans to engage in internal dialogue that can generate and prolong distress, increasing suffering. ACT is a psychological intervention that aims to increase psychological flexibility—the ability to stay present, open up to experience, and take action guided by deeply held values. With their book, the authors aim to help newer and seasoned clinicians understand the underpinnings of ACT, and learn and develop skills in implementing ACT as an integrated therapy. Deliberate practice of ACT is designed to guide readers through learning ACT in a structured, step-by-step way—from core theory and model to applied clinical skills. The book is organized into a series of parts that build on one another, each laying the foundation for the next to support deep, integrated learning. Chapters address basic, intermediate, and advanced skills development, complemented with engaging personal and clinical practice exercises to help readers understand the process both conceptually and experientially. The book offers theory and skills building on a personal level by inviting readers to examine the impact of ACT concepts on their own experience before applying them in session, and to practice exploring the full model with feedback from students and other professionals interested in learning ACT.

This book empowers both new and seasoned clinicians to enhance their proficiency in acceptance and commitment therapy. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is rooted in a behavioral and contextual understanding of human suffering, with language and cognition playing a central role. While the capacity for language enables creativity, planning, and connection, it also allows humans to engage in internal dialogue that can generate and prolong distress, increasing suffering. ACT is a psychological intervention that aims to increase psychological flexibility—the ability to stay present, open up to experience, and take action guided by deeply held values. With their book, the authors aim to help newer and seasoned clinicians understand the underpinnings of ACT, and learn and develop skills in implementing ACT as an integrated therapy. Deliberate practice of ACT is designed to guide readers through learning ACT in a structured, step-by-step way—from core theory and model to applied clinical skills. The book is organized into a series of parts that build on one another, each laying the foundation for the next to support deep, integrated learning. Chapters address basic, intermediate, and advanced skills development, complemented with engaging personal and clinical practice exercises to help readers understand the process both conceptually and experientially. The book offers theory and skills building on a personal level by inviting readers to examine the impact of ACT concepts on their own experience before applying them in session, and to practice exploring the full model with feedback from students and other professionals interested in learning ACT.

Denne bog er en opdatereret udgave af en af de første bøger om terapiformen Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) skrevet af de tre ophavsmænd. Siden førsteudgaven udkom i 1999, har ACT udviklet sig betydeligt både begrebsmæssigt, teknologisk og empirisk, og et stort antal praktikere har taget tilgangen til sig som en velegnet og effektiv måde at skabe forandring på. Denne udgave tager udgangspunkt i den psykologiske fleksibilitetsmodel som en enhedsmodel af menneskets funktioner og fokuserer på psykisk fleksibilitet som vejen til forandring og udbedring af en lang række af kliniske problemstillinger. Ud over dette fokus er bogen udvidet med beskrivelser af bl.a. mindfulnessprocesser, den terapeutiske relation, case-formulering og sammenhængen mellem ACT og kognitiv adfærdsterapi. Forfatterne beskriver desuden effektive og innovative måder at udvikle psykisk fleksibilitet på ved at anvende og målrette de seks centrale processer i ACT: defusion, accept, fleksibel opmærksomhed i forhold til nuet, selvet som kontekst, værdier og engageret handling.