Harris - ACT made simple : an easy-to-read primer on acceptance and commitment therapy

When I first wanted to learn about acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), I started with the excellent first edition of this book, and this second edition is even better. The second edition of ACT Made Simple is a perfect introduction to ACTeasy to read, well organized, and filled with examples, strategies, and demonstrations that make the therapy come alive in the mind of the reader. Essential reading for all therapists.

Russell Kolts, PhD , professor in the department of psychology at Eastern Washington University, and author of CFT Made Simple and The Compassionate-Mind Guide to Managing Your Anger

Russ Harris has completely reworked the new edition of ACT Made Simple . This book is essential reading for all trainees and qualified practitioners who want to use the wisdom of ACT ideas in their work. The book has cleverly integrated all the latest advances in the field in an accessible and immediately useable format. It has a lot to offer a newcomer to the area of ACT, but also provides an up-to-date account of the cutting-edge technologies in the area, as well as some innovative new ideas. The examples are easy to identify with, and the exercises well timed. An excellent contribution from arguably the most accessible author in the field.

Louise McHugh , associate professor in the department of psychology at University College Dublin; peer-reviewed ACT trainer; fellow of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science; and coauthor of The Self and Perspective Taking

How do you improve a classic? You distill another ten years of clinical experience and research and write a tour de force. Every page shines with Russs hallmark humor, compassion, and wonder. Expanded, without being more complicated, the second edition of ACT Made Simple is a vital clinicians resource, and an exciting road map for anyone who wants to live life fully.

Chris McCurry, PhD , clinical child psychologist, and author of Parenting Your Anxious Child with Mindfulness and Acceptance

Russ Harris, a premier leader in ACT, has updated his watershed book ACT Made Simple with new and vibrant content. His colloquial style makes it a pleasure to read. More importantly, he focuses on fresh content, so that even if youve already read the first edition, this is worth your attention. One of the remarkable new topics in this edition is the way he helps you set up sessions for success with your client. Ive supervised hundreds of ACT clinicians, and I reliably recommend Russs publications, and that will continue to be true for this updated version!

D.J. Moran, PhD, BCBA-D , Pickslyde Consulting; coauthor of ACT in Practice and Committed Action in Practice

The first edition quickly became an absolute must-read book for anyone learning about ACT. This second edition goes from strength to strengthpacked full of innovative techniques, strategies, and in-depth, practical guides. You wont find a more accessible and clearly written manual on how to actually deliver ACT therapy.

Joe Oliver, PhD , coauthor of ACTivate Your Life

Simple doesnt mean simplistic. Through his relentless efforts to make ACT more accessible, Russ Harris has over the years also often contributed to make ACT more precise and more effective. This new edition reflects the unique ability of its author to always look for ways to improve the model and integrate new ideas.

Matthieu Villatte, PhD , assistant professor at Bastyr University, Seattle; and coauthor of Mastering the Clinical Conversation

The first edition of this book was a tremendous success and has helped many, many clinicians all over the world to start using ACT. If anyone thought it could not be done even better, in this second edition, Russ Harris disproves that. The book is simple, practical, theoretically sound, and actually improved. I especially love the introduction of what is called the choice point, an excellent tool for talking about both acceptance and change. A truly innovative way of making functional talk even clearer in ACT.

Niklas Trneke, MD , author of Learning RFT and Metaphor in Practice

This eagerly anticipated second edition of ACT Made Simple is the perfect introduction, and essential reading for developing and honing your skills as an ACT practitioner. Russ, as ever, is warm and lighthearted, sharing his invaluable knowledge and expertise to skillfully simplify the ins and outs of this effective model for meaningful behavioral change. With fresh, brand-new material, this book is at the cutting edge of how to directly apply ACT in your work with clients. By following the practical guidance offered in these pages, you can be assured that youll be doing ACT well, in no time at all!

Mike Sinclair , chartered psychologist, clinical director of City Psychology Group, and coauthor of Mindfulness for Busy People and The Little ACT Workbook

For clinicians who are trying to learn the how to of ACT, Russs humor, clarity, wisdom, and experience makes this one of the most accessible books you will ever read. Weaving the choice point throughout this edition provides structure to the clinical work, and is an effective tool for therapists at every level of experience. Each chapter includes an assortment of scripts, debriefing suggestions, tips, worksheets, and new skilling up exercises to take your learning beyond the pages and into active, experiential practice. If the first edition is already on your bookshelf, dont hesitate to add this to your collectionthe fresh new examples and topics make this a worthwhile investment. This book is, quite simply, indispensable for both novice and seasoned ACT clinicians.

Sheri Turrell, PhD , clinical psychologist working with teens and adults in Toronto, ON, Canada; Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS) peer-reviewed ACT trainer; and coauthor of ACT for Adolescents and The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Teen Anxiety

The word simple can sometimes be equated to words like basic, unsophisticated, or even elementary. Although the second edition of ACT Made Simple can definitely be equated with the words easily understood, make no mistake about it: this book is a thoughtful, entertaining, and comprehensive introduction to the ACT model.

Nic Hooper, PhD , senior lecturer at the University of the West of England, and coauthor of The Research Journey of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

There are books in the life of an ACT therapist that really help us to be better clinicians, and the second edition of ACT Made Simple is one of them! This book is a vitally important one because it includes the basics of very relevant clinical themes such as exposure, self-compassion, emotion regulation, cognitive flexibility, the choice point, and much more.

There is no other ACT book that has included all these topics at once, and that is based on years of collecting the most frequent struggles an ACT therapist or ACT coach encounters on a daily basis; I dont have any doubt that this book will transform the way we deliver and live ACT every hour. Here are my last words: read it, try it, track it, and read it again!

Patricia E. Zurita Ona, PsyD , author of Parenting a Troubled Teen and Escaping the Emotional Roller Coaster , and coauthor of Mind and Emotions

The practice of ACT continues to evolve at a rapid pace. In this second edition of ACT Made Simple , Russ has managed to delightfully update tried-and-tested content on the six processes of flexibility, while also adding clear and easy-to-follow descriptions of more recent nuances and applications of the model (e.g., choice point, shame, self-compassion, flexible exposure). Russ manages to convey complex ideas and strategies in a way that is both accessible and engaging. This book is definitely the first I recommend for clinicians interested in applying or integrating ACT techniques into their practice.

Robert N. Brockman, PhD , senior research fellow at Australian Catholic University, director of Schema Therapy Sydney, and coauthor of Contextual Schema Therapy