Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Robyn D. Walser, PhD, is the director of Trauma and Life Consultation and Psychology Services, assistant professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and director of research at Bay Area Trauma Recovery Clinical Services. Dr. Walser has contributed significantly to the dissemination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and holds a pivotal role in implementing ACT in one of the largest U.S. healthcare systems. She also works at the National Center for PTSD, where her focus is on trauma recovery, depression, and moral injury. Dr. Walser has coauthored nine influential books on ACT and has led ACT workshops worldwide.



Manuela O’Connell, Lic., is a licensed psychologist from Buenos Aires, Argentina, internationally recognized for her work in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), mindfulness, compassion, and functional analytic psychotherapy. She is a fellow of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS), she currently serves as president of ACBS and of the Awareness, Courage and Love Global Foundation.



Dr. O’Connell is a trainer, supervisor, and retreat leader, offering programs in Spanish and English for clinicians worldwide, and facilitating over 10 ongoing study groups for professionals across Spanish-speaking countries. She has published widely on ACT, and the therapeutic relationship, alliance, and rupture..

Introduction: Orientation to the Deliberate Practice of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

I. Overview of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Deliberate Practice

1. Foundations of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Deliberate Practice

II. Theoretical Underpinnings of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

2. Functional Contextualism Defined and Explored

3. Behavioral Principles in Applied Work: Using the Functional Analysis Framework

4. Relational Frame Theory Defined and Explored

5. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Suffering

6. Psychological Flexibility

III. Beginner: Introduction to the Six Core Processes of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

7. Flexible Experiencing in Action: Acceptance

8. Flexible Experiencing in Action: Defusion

9. Flexible Experiencing in Action: Present Moment

10. Experiencing Self-as-Context: Flexible Perspective Taking

11. Values-Based Behavior: Chosen Purpose

12. Committed Action: Behavioral Flexibility

IV. Intermediate: Skills Building in the Six Core Processes of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

13. Case Conceptualization

14. Skill Building and Competencies: Acceptance

15. Skill Building and Competencies: Defusion

16. Skill Building and Competencies: Contact With the Present Moment

17. Skill Building and Competencies in Perspective Taking: Self-as-Context

18. Skill Building and Competencies in Values-Based Living: Chosen Purpose

19. Skill Building and Competencies in Committed Action: Behavioral Flexibility

V. Advanced: Integration of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Pillars and the Therapeutic Relationship

20. Open, Aware, and Engaged: Integrating the Three Pillars

21. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Skill in the Therapeutic Relationship and Alliance

22. Relationship Rupture

Epilogue: Exploring the Future

References

Index

This is one of the very best acceptance and commitment therapy books out there for those interested in moving from a conceptual understanding to really learning how to apply these concepts and skills. Written with both precision and depth, this book is a must-read for any ACT practitioner wanting to put their book learning into practice.



-Jenna LeJeune, PhD, Cofounder and President, Portland Psychotherapy, Portland, OR



This book distinguishes itself through its unparalleled collection of personal and clinical practice exercises that guide therapists from beginner through advanced proficiency across all six core ACT processes. Whether you’re learning ACT fundamentals or refining your therapeutic presence, this book gives you tools to advance your skills—on topics from functional contextualism to relationship rupture repair—and provides a complete developmental pathway found in no other book.



-Jason B. Luoma, PhD, CEO, Portland Psychotherapy, and Senior Scientist, Portland Institute for Psychedelic Science, Portland, OR



This is the ACT book I wish I’d started with—a smart, well-written guide that uses simple, clear language to lay out the what, when, and why of ACT interventions. It’s packed with genuinely useful exercises that bring the concepts to life in practical ways, while perfectly illuminating ACT’s philosophy, theory, and six core processes. An ideal introduction for anyone beginning to learn ACT or wanting to deepen their understanding of the approach.



-Miranda Morris, PhD, Peer Reviewed ACT Trainer, Past President, Association for Contextual Behavioral Science, ACBS Fellow, and Founder, True North Therapy and Training, Bethesda, MD