Robinson Patricia J. - The mindfulness and acceptance workbook for depression: using acceptance and commitment therapy to move through depression and create a life worth living

This well-written and user-friendly workbook presents new ways of understanding and overcoming depression. Based on mindfulness, acceptance, self-compassion, positive psychology, and neuroscience, it combines solid research foundations with practical methods for climbing out of helplessness and self-blame, and building a satisfying life.

RuthBaer, PhD, author of ThePracticingHappinessWorkbook

This book is a godsend for anyone struggling with depression. It is incredibly rich in terms of theoretical and scientific scope and depth, yet provides many practical, easy-to-do exercises for readers so they can start changing how they relate to themselves and their lives right away. I couldnt recommend this book more highly.

KristinNeff, PhD, associate professor of educational psychology at The University of Texas at Austin, pioneer in the field of self-compassion research, and author of Self-Compassion

In this second edition of their classic self-help manual, Kirk Strosahl and Patricia Robinson bring two professional lifetimes worth of wisdom and experience to help us better understand depression, and work with it both skillfully and compassionately. This well-written book presents us with cutting-edge strategies drawn from acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), mindfulness, self-compassion, and neuroscience traditions in the service of building a life worth living. Perhaps what I like most about this book is that it isnt just about helping us cope with depressionits a pragmatic guide to cultivating a life filled with meaning and purpose. Rarely does a self-help resource so skillfully capture so much of the best that psychology has to offer. Highly recommended!

Russell L. Kolts, PhD, professor of psychology at Eastern Washington University, and author of CFTMadeSimple and TheCompassionate-Mind Guide to Managing Your Anger

Publishers Note

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering psychological, financial, legal, or other professional services. If expert assistance or counseling is needed, the services of a competent professional should be sought.

Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books

Copyright 2017 by Kirk D. Strosahl and Patricia J. Robinson

New Harbinger Publications, Inc.

5674 Shattuck Avenue

Oakland, CA 94609

www.newharbinger.com

Self-Assessment: Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, in chapter 4 of this book, is adapted from the Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) in R. A. Baer, G. T. Smith, J. Hopkins, J. Krietemeyer, and L. Toney. 2006. Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness. Assessment 13:2745. Used by permission of the authors.

How I Typically Act Toward Myself in Difficult Times in chapter 11 is adapted with permission from the work of Kristin Neff.

Cover design by Amy Shoup; Acquired by Catharine Meyers; Edited by Marisa Solis

All Rights Reserved

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Strosahl, Kirk, 1950- author. | Robinson, Patricia J., author.

Title: The mindfulness and acceptance workbook for depression : using acceptance and commitment therapy to move through depression and create a life worth living / Kirk D. Strosahl, PhD, and Patricia J. Robinson, PhD ; foreword by Steven C. Hayes.

Description: Second edition. | Oakland, CA : New Harbinger Publications, Inc., [2017] | Includes bibliographical references.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016050918 (print) | LCCN 2016051489 (ebook) | ISBN 9781626258457 (paperback) | ISBN 9781626258464 (pdf e-book) | ISBN 9781626258471 (epub) | ISBN 9781626258464 (PDF e-book) | ISBN 9781626258471 (ePub)

Subjects: LCSH: Depression, Mental. | Acceptance and commitment therapy. | BISAC: SELF-HELP / Depression. | BODY, MIND & SPIRIT / Meditation. | PSYCHOLOGY / Psychopathology / Depression.

Classification: LCC RC537 .S845 2017 (print) | LCC RC537 (ebook) | DDC 616.85/27--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016050918

To all the people Ive worked with over the years who have taught me so much about the courage it takes to stare down and transcend depression. Im privileged to have been a part of their unique life journeys. To my daughters, Regan, Frances, and Joanna: each of you brings a unique gift to the world and joy to my heart. To my life companion and writing partner, Patti: You have brought me alive inside in countless ways throughout our journey together. You are the love of my life. In memory of my beloved brother Mark Strosahl and best friend Greg Campbell: The Three Amigos ride no more, but Im not done just yet!

Kirk Strosahl

To our daughters, yours and ours: Lets raise them to be brave, not perfect.

Patricia Robinson

Steven C. HayesUniversity of Nevada

Depression is not just a feeling. Depression is an action.

That simple insight will strike with a force as you read this book. It is an insight worth preparing for because as it dawns, it initially contains both good news and bad news. The bad news is that the human mind will often turn it into yet another source for blame: If depression is an action, then I should not be doing it, but apparently I am, so it must be my fault. No surprise there. Judging and blaming are what our minds often do, particularly when we are depressed. But the actions that lead to depressionthe actions that in a deep sense are depressionare nothing to be blamed for. After all, the human mind is far, far too tricky for anyone to untangle from it without help. Depression is not the fault of the depressed.

The empowering news inside this same insight is even more powerful and more sustaining than the illusion of helplessness or the habits of self-blame. As you read this book you will see that there is a concrete, active path forward. You are not a victim of your life. You are not doomed to endless suffering.

As you understand the actions that have kept you entangled, you will begin to see that there is another way. The alternative is not beyond you. It is available, with help to see it, right here, right now.

In this remarkable book, the husband-and-wife team of Kirk Strosahl and Patricia Robinson lay down an innovative, creative, and effective pathway out of depression and into your life. The book is like turning on a light inside darkened rooms of suffering. With the light comes greater understanding of what is in those rooms, where you are, and what has been in your way. It becomes easier to see how to navigate and how to come out into the warmth and freedom of a life without walls, directed toward your values.

From the first few pages of this book until the very last, the light of awareness that it casts is almost tangible. You can sense the gentleness, strength, and humanity of the people, two of my dearest friends, who have written this book. These authors are humble, centered, compassionate, and wise. Theyve been there. They are ready to walk you, step by step, through the actions that have created trouble and the actions needed to let go of depressed habits of mind. If you have patience with the process, self-compassion for the pain you are in, and a willingness to face the difficulties and fears of taking a fundamentally different pathway forward, this book can change your life.