Description
Now fully-revised and updated, this second edition of ACT Made Simple includes new information and chapters on self-compassion, flexible perspective taking, working with trauma, and more.
Why is it so hard to be happy? Why is life so difficult? Why do humans suffer so much? And what can we realistically do about it? No matter how rewarding your job, as a mental health professional, you may sometimes feel helpless in the face of these questions. You are also well aware of the challenges and frustrations that can present during therapy.
If you’re looking for ways to optimize your client sessions, consider joining the many thousands of therapists and life coaches worldwide who are learning acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). With a focus on mindfulness, client values, and a commitment to change, ACT is proven-effective in treating depression, anxiety, stress, addictions, eating disorders, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder (BPD), and myriad other psychological issues. It’s also a revolutionary new way to view the human condition—packed full of exciting new tools, techniques, and strategies for promoting profound behavioral change.
A practical primer, ideal for ACT newcomers and experienced ACT professionals alike, ACT Made Simple offers clear explanations of the six ACT processes and a set of real-world tips and solutions for rapidly and effectively implementing them in your practice. This book gives you everything you need to start using ACT with your clients for impressive results. Inside, you’ll find: scripts, exercises, metaphors, and worksheets to use with your clients; a session-by-session guide to implementing ACT; transcripts from therapy sessions; guidance for creating your own therapeutic techniques and exercises; and practical tips to overcome “therapy roadblocks.”
This book aims to take the complex theory and practice of ACT and make it accessible and enjoyable for therapists and clients.
Roma (verified owner) –
If you are into psychotherapy or any kind of consulting work where you want to help others to feel better and live a more fulfilling life, this is a brilliant start! ACT is a great new approach, scientifically based and built on firm foundations of Cognitive and Behavioral therapies, and widely applicable, not just to the patients or people with psychological problems. I studied CBT many years ago and found it logical, helpful but limited. ACT feels as a more complete approach where the aim of therapy is not to avoid the symptoms but to lead a more meaningful and fulfilled life. Now I am a coming back to practicing individual psychotherapy (from the world of business consulting) and can’t wait for the opportunity to apply what I learned and help my first client.
Also, this book by Russ Harris, unlike some older books I’ve read is far more understandable and easier to go through and get the gist. That doesn’t mean it is any less profound or correct, at least as far I understand ACT. Although my English is advanced for a non-native speaker, other books made it so difficult to go through the wording and concepts. That struggle made me almost give up when I realized that I don’t get it at the end of the chapter or even paragraph. Not with this book! Many examples, routines you just need to adapt and use. Also many downloadable materials on the web site.
For me, this is a great place to start with ACT, now I feel able to use it and to explore some more about it through some more demanding writing. Highly recommended!
Geet (verified owner) –
Aimed at therapists, but very useful for clients who want to reinforce and get more practice with the principles of ACT. Easy to read, engaging, easy to follow, well-structured. Lots of real-life scenarios. Just enough jargon to give it weight and seriousness, but readability makes it a book to use as a daily reference.
CM73 (verified owner) –
This is a well written, reader friendly beginning place for ACT. The downloadable print-outs are a great resource. I had very little background and have been able to begin to apply the basic principles of ACT.
F. Potgieter (verified owner) –
This is a must have i think. Hayes writes too intellectually for my liking…this boook made so much sense and is really practical! I definately have a good feel for ACT now and reading Hayes and co now, makes much more sense! Buy it!
Janette Symes (verified owner) –
This book really does describe how to get started with ACT. Ideal for clinicians wanted to include this therapy in their practice.
G. Goldman (verified owner) –
A nice primer on ACT, without all the heavy theoretical jargon. Rationale and techniques are laid out in a commonsense fashion and plenty of ideas are given for application. I’ve been able to integrate ACT into my practice very nicely with just this one source.
Zanner (verified owner) –
Great content, easy to understand, some more in depth thoughts for counselors. The entire book for non-counselors becomes tiring.
Robyn Revington (verified owner) –
Really great text – easy to follow – brilliant exercises that are practical and useful
sarah (verified owner) –
An easy-to-read introduction to ACT. It makes the concepts understandable in a way that just makes sense. There are lots of examples to use in real life clinical practice or in your own life (I use it for both). I would say it’s THE book if you want to learn ACT.
Thekatsar (verified owner) –
It is a good book (to learn about ACT) however, I don’t agree with ACT, it is a hard pill to swallow.
Alicia Hughes (verified owner) –
Great book for therapist, not written at all for clients though.
Andrew Bill (verified owner) –
This is brilliant. I think I have read at least 50% of books in this genre and there are many that are very good, but this one uses language that is clear, no beating about the bush. Coming from a lot of Buddhist books and practices the idea of a contextual self that has always been there grated a bit on me, but Russ Harris says enough words to carry it through as ‘well it helps, it’s workable’ but the rest is so helpful that is a minor quibble.
This is a book full of wisdom.
Nicola (verified owner) –
Effective book giving guidance on how to change thoughts and behaviours to overcome a number of conditions such as depression and anxiety. Uses Acceptance and Commitment Theory, based on mindfulness. Also has a range of good exercises to try out. Easy to read and follow. I am pleased with my purchase and would buy again.
vivian (verified owner) –
Great book and easy to use to learn and teach ACT.
Diane R Nummy (verified owner) –
Didn’t read
Todd Hudson (verified owner) –
This book had some good basic information about ACT, but it was written beneath its target audience. For a book aimed at clinicians who presumably have earned a master’s degree at the very least, the author seemingly takes the position that his readers are unable read clinical literature and instead need to be entertained by banter, informal language, and dumbed-down explanations. In the one chapter where he touches on the underlying science, he apologizes for doing so. At other points, it seemed as though he were instructing me on the basics of being a therapist, such as the importance of building rapport. In short, it was written more like a self-help book or a manual for paraprofessionals than a guide for clinicians.
Nicole Cochran (verified owner) –
I had ACT made simple (first edition) and debated getting the second edition.
I AM SO HAPPY I DID!
I work in a treatment center and we have an ACT group so this book is the best! I go chapter by chapter each week with the clients and it’s great! It’s easy for myself and the clients to understand!
And it’s so much better than the first edition!
It also has a free website that has even extra handouts and worksheets and YouTube videos to help clients understand.
10/10 recommend!!
Sharon Maetzold (verified owner) –
This was a big help.
KaS (verified owner) –
I have been taking a short course Advanced Certificate in Mental Health Coaching with PreKure and this was suggested as a useful text for further knowledge building. I am really glad I decided to purchase this text is really interesting and easy to follow. Haven’t read cover to cover yet but I am planning to. Thanks to the seller.
Anonymous (verified owner) –
This was my first ACT book and I loved it! Russ makes the information fun and easily digestible.
Liz (verified owner) –
Wonderful beginner book into ACT
Jordanne Ehrhart (verified owner) –
As described, recommend this buyer.
jd (verified owner) –
Very good, would recommend
Halley (verified owner) –
The title of this post says it all. This book speaks to the reader in a very human way. It simplifies complex topics and makes everything easy to learn. I loved the style of how it was written because the author seems humble and isn’t trying to sound overly smart with technical jargon. There is also a fun aspect of humor sprinkled throughout to keep things light hearted. I enjoyed the entire experience and learned a lot!