Committed Action in Practice

Committed action is an important part of the hexaflex model for acceptances and commitment therapy (ACT)-the other core processes being acceptance, defusion, self-as-context and perspective taking, values clarification, and mindfulness. In practice, committed action happens when clients act in the direction of their identified values, even in the presence of obstacles. Written by Patricia Bach and Daniel J. Moran, two ACT-oriented experts who are highly prolific in the field of modern behavioral psychology, Committed Action in Practice is a deep, focused exploration of this core aspect of ACT. With sections on the conceptualization, application, and integration of committed action in ACT, you'll gain an understanding of how this process fits into the hexagon model, what blocks people from taking values-based action, and how to blend the committed action component of ACT with other evidence-based therapies. With this comprehensive guide, you'll know just how committed action works in an ACT treatment plan and be ready to apply it in practice.

About the Author :
Patricia A. Bach, PhD, is clinical assistant professor at the University of Central Florida. She completed her PhD at the University of Nevada and has been providing psychotherapy, supervision, and training in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for more than fifteen years. Bach is a past president of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS), and has coauthored a book on ACT case conceptualization. Daniel J. Moran, PhD, BCBA-D, is founder and executive director of the MidAmerican Psychological Institute, and founder of Pickslyde Consulting. He coauthored ACT in Practice with Patricia Bach, as well as other contextual behavioral science publications. Moran has appeared on The Learning Channel, Animal Planet, and FOX News discussing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)and hoarding. He is also a recognized acceptance and commitment (ACT) trainer, board certified behavior analyst, and president of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS).

Review :
"A must-read for ACT practitioners! The crucial importance of committed action is evident, yet it is rarely illuminated how this core process is interwoven into the entire model. Considering how committed action functions within the context of one's life can make the difference between intent and action, and Moran, Bach, and Batten give us the tools to do just that." --M. Joann Wright, PhD, peer-reviewed ACT trainer, and coauthor of Learning ACT for Group Treatment--M. Joann Wright, PhD "Committed action for specific behavior change is perhaps the most important piece of the acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) puzzle, and it is all too often overlooked. Some of the true ACT pioneers and the brightest minds in behavior therapy have given you the perfect roadmap to take your clients from possibility to action. Highly recommended reading!" --Dennis Tirch PhD, founder of The Center for Compassion Focused Therapy, associate clinical professor at Mount Sinai, and coauthor of The ACT Practitioner's Guide to the Science of Compassion--Dennis Tirch PhD "Moran, Bach, and Batten did it again! This book is a must-read for all ACT practitioners looking to optimize and augment their ACT skills by returning to core behavioral principles applied specifically to the process of committed action. This exciting new book shows us how to assess, enhance treatment outcomes, and troubleshoot potential obstacles--as they usually come in therapy--when facilitating values-based living. All chapters are clearly written, full of examples, and have clear explanations. You won't get lost when reading this ACT book! Moran, Bach, and Batten also offer a fresh perspective about how to blend committed action with other empirically supported interventions capitalizing on the flexibility of the ACT model. This is a practical and powerful ACT book to read!" --Patricia E. Zurita Ona, PsyD, founder of East Bay Behavior Therapy Center, author of Parenting a Troubled Teen and Escaping the Emotional Rollercoaster, and coauthor of Mind and Emotions--Patricia E. Zurita Ona, PsyD "This book is an essential tool for all professionals that apply evidence-based psychotherapies. It goes straight to the core of the ACT and all other evidence-based models: helping the patient to move in the chosen valued direction. It describes how to build flexible patterns of committed actions by creating and working inside a meaningful therapeutic relationship. As the therapist's actions are the quintessential element of the therapeutic relationship, it also carefully addresses the obstacles in his or her own committed patterns to ease the process with the clients. A must- have, read, and practice for every ACT and non-ACT therapist." --Giovambattista Presti, MD, PhD, psychotherapist, associate professor in the department of general psychology at Kore University (Enna, Italy), and president of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science--Giovambattista Presti, MD, PhD "What a breath of fresh air! I highly recommend this original and much-needed book, which truly fleshes out the ACT model in a myriad of ways. If you think committed action is just goals, action plans, and problem-solving, think again. Committed action is an exciting and ever-expanding part of ACT, and the authors do a fantastic job of explaining the vast range of different interventions and strategies it covers, and teaching you how to quickly and effectively implement them. No two ways about it: if you've got stuck clients (and hey, who doesn't?), you need this book!" --Russ Harris, author of ACT Made Simple and The Happiness Trap--Russ Harris "Years ago, as a young clinician trained in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), I was often flummoxed in the face of this situation: I knew what clients needed to do to improve their psychological well-being, but how could I get them to actually do it? Now, as a clinical director and supervisor who works with complex and treatment refractory clients, that same question continues to arise. Committed Action in Practice is a practical, pragmatic book, useful for clinicians across a range of presenting issues, in the clinic, in schools, or for life coaches. Its greatest strength is that it brings the evidence-based behavioral principles and strategies inherent in ACT to bear on this simple yet quintessential question: How do you help clients do what they need to do? This book distills ACT into elements of valuing and committed action--the core motivational framework of ACT that will assist clients to move forward in their lives whatever stage of change they are in. Clearly written, and easily consumed, this is a book I highly recommend and will reach for again and again when clients hit their stuck points in treatment." --Lisa W. Coyne, PhD, cofounder and director of the New England Center for OCD and Anxiety (www.newenglandocd.org), founder and senior clinical consultant of the McLean OCD Institute for Children and Adolescents, and an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School--Lisa W. Coyne, PhD