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.
Table of Contents:
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
About the Authors
About the Author :
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..
Review :
"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
