Innovations in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: Clinical Advancements and Applications in ACT

by Michael E. Levin PhD (Editor), Michael P. Twohig PhD (Editor), Jennifer Krafft PhD (Editor), Kelly G. Wilson PhD (Foreword by)

Overview

Discover the latest innovations in ACT research and clinical practice—all in one comprehensive, edited volume.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a powerful and proven-effective treatment model for alleviating several mental health conditions, ranging from depression and anxiety to addiction and eating disorders. And because ACT is an ever-evolving modality that relies on processes, rather than fixed protocols, it is primed for substantial clinical innovations as researchers and clinicians develop new strategies for increasing psychological flexibility.

Innovations in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy combines the latest, cutting-edge ACT research with a wealth of “in-the-trenches” experience from leading clinicians in the field, including Steven C. Hayes, Matthieu Villatte, Benjamin Schoendorff, and more. In this volume, you’ll find an overview of innovations spanning the last decade, how to translate these innovations into everyday interventions, and a summary of future directions for researching and refining ACT in practice.

The book also includes:

• New research on clinical behavior analysis, relational frame theory (RFT), and evolution science
• Innovative methods for applying basic RFT principles in clinical practice
• Implications for developing process-based assessments and interventions
• Tips for integrating ACT in applied behavior analysis

 

As ACT continues to evolve, you need up-to-date resources to inform and improve your work with clients. Whether you’re a clinician, researcher, or student, this book is a must-have for your professional library.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781684033126
Publisher:	New Harbinger Publications
Publication date:	06/01/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	296
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Michael E. Levin, PhD, is associate professor at Utah State University. Levin’s research focuses on web/mobile interventions and mechanisms of change in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). He has published more than one hundred peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, primarily related to ACT and contextual behavioral science (CBS).

Michael P. Twohig, PhD, is professor at Utah State University, former president of the Association of Contextual Behavioral Science, and peer-reviewed ACT trainer. He has published over one hundred peer-reviewed papers on the application of ACT to obsessive-compulsive and related disorders.

Jennifer Krafft, MS, is a doctoral student in clinical and counseling psychology at Utah State University. Krafft has published more than twenty articles and book chapters related to ACT, and has collaborated with Levin and Twohig on numerous studies investigating applications of ACT delivered through innovative platforms and for novel problem areas.

Foreword writer Kelly G. Wilson, PhD, is professor of psychology at the University of Mississippi, and founder of Onelife, LLC. He has authored or coauthored eleven books, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness for Two.

Michael E. Levin, PhD, is a professor at Utah State University. He is an ACBS fellow and past editor in chief of the Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, the peer-reviewed ACBS journal. He is a leading researcher on developing, evaluating, and disseminating self-guided ACT interventions for a wide range of mental health concerns. He has conducted more than fifty clinical trials evaluating ACT self-help interventions, and has made several of these programs publicly available as part of the USU ACT Guide suite of services. 

Michael P. Twohig, PhD, is a professor in the psychology department at Utah State University. He is a past president of ACBS. He has written more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and over ten books, and has received funding from many organizations, including the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). 

Jennifer Krafft, PhD, is an assistant professor at Mississippi State University whose work focuses on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), self-help, and hoarding. She is editor of a book on innovations in ACT, has received grant funding from the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS), and has published thirty-five journal articles. 

Table of Contents

Foreword: The Rise of Process-Based Therapy Research: Returning to Our Roots Kelly G. Wilson, Professor, University of Mississippi, Founder, OneLife, LLC ix

1 Introduction: Refining Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Meet the Challenges of the Human Condition Michael E. Levin Jennifer Krafft Michael P. Twohig, Utah State University 1

Section 1 Innovations from Basic Research

2 Clinical Behavior Analysis: Integrating ACT and ABA Mark R. Dixon, Southern Illinois University Dana Paliliunas, Missouri State University 16

3 Using Clinical RFT to Enhance ACT Interventions: The Example of Values Work Matthieu Villatte, Bastyr University 30

4 Recent Conceptual and Empirical Advances in RFT: Implications for Developing Process-Based Assessments and Interventions Yvonne Barnes-Holmes Ciara McEnteggart Dermot Barnes-Holmes, Department of Experimental, Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University 41

5 Becoming More Versatile (VRSCDL): Using Evolutionary Science to Suggest Innovations in ACT Steven C. Hayes Cory E. Stanton Brandon T. Sanford Stuart Law Janice Ta, University of Nevada, Reno 53

Section 2 Innovative Treatment Models and Treatment Integrations

6 The ACT Matrix Benjamin Schoendorff, Contextual Psychology Institute Fabian O. Olaz, CIPCO and National University of Córdoba, Argentina 68

7 Growing Up Flexibly: DNA-V as a Contextual Behavioral Science Approach to Working with Young People Louise L. Hayes, Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne & Oxygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health Joseph Ciarrochi, Institute of Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University 82

8 Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Exposure Exercises Michael P. Twohig Clarissa W. Ong Julie M. Petersen Jennifer L. Barney Jeremiah E. Fruge, Utah State University 97

9 Incorporating Affective Science into ACT to Treat Highly Self-Critical and Shame-Prone Clients Jason B. Luoma Jenna T. LeJeune, Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, & Training Center 110

Section 3 Innovations with Targeted Populations and Problems

10 Innovations in Applying ACT Strategies for Obesity and Physical Activity Jason Lillis, The Miriam Hospital/Brown Medical School Diane H. Dallal, Drexel University Evan M. Forman, Drexel University 126

11 Contextual Behavioral Science Interventions to Address Racism Jonathan W. Kanter, University of Washington Mariah Corey, University of Washington Katherine Manbeck, University of Washington Daniel C. Rosen, Bastyr University 140

12 Innovations in ACT for Cancer Joanna J. Arch, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, University of Colorado Cancer Center Joel N. Fishbein, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder Alex Kirk, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder 155

13 ACT Innovations for Dangerous Weight Control: Anorexia Nervosa and ED-DMT1 Rhonda M. Merwin, Duke University Medical Center 170

Section 4 Innovations in Implementing ACT

14 Implementing ACT in a Partial Hospitalization Program Kristy L. Dairymple Catherine D'Avanzato Theresa Morgan, Department of Psychiatry, Lifespan Physicians Group, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University 188

15 One-Day ACT Workshops for Patients with Chronic Health Problems and Associated Emotional Disorders Lilian Dindo, Baylor College of Medicine, Center for Innovations, Quality, and Effectiveness Aliza Weinrib, Pain Research Unit, Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Department of Psychology, York University James Marchman, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Iowa 203

16 Implementing ACT Online Raimo Lappalainen Päivi Lappalainen, Department of Psychology, University of Jyväskylä 221

17 Adapting Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Diverse Cultures Akihiko Masuda, University of Hawaii at Manoa 239

18 Implementing ACT in Sierra Leone Beate Ebert, Private Practice Aschaffenburg, Commit and Act Hannah Bockarie, Commit and Act Corinna Stewart, Institute of Health & Wellbeing, University of Glasgow Thomas Szabo, Florida Institute of Technology Ross G. White, University of Liverpool 267

Index 267

Interviews

Levin, Twohig, and Krafft reside in the Greater Salt Lake City Area, UT.

Editorial Reviews

Innovations in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is essential reading for all professionals who want to use the wisdom of ACT ideas in their work. The book provides cutting—edge and up—to—date coverage of ACT theoretical concepts and practical innovations for practitioners across all settings, such as individual or group psychotherapy, counseling, coaching, community or organizational interventions, etc. Comprising an excellent collection of chapters from leading authors in the field, this is a must—read for those looking to learn about new ACT innovations.”
—Louise McHugh, PhD, associate professor at University College Dublin, coauthor of A Contextual Behavioral Guide to the Self, peer—reviewed ACT trainer, and fellow of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science

Louise McHugh

It takes a very talented group of editors to bring together the widely recognized thought leaders in an area of applied clinical science, and to harness the power and vision of such brilliant minds. Levin, Twohig, and Krafft have succeeded in accomplishing this difficult feat. The reader of Innovations in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy will quickly realize that there is something very special about this book. This book has the best of both worlds: An extremely broad and interesting array of highly relevant topics that are well written, comprehensive, and thought provoking. If I were to recommend one book that would instantly get the reader up to speed on the most recent developments in ACT specifically, and the burgeoning field of contextual behavioral science (CBS) more broadly, this would be it! Highly recommended!”
—Kirk Strosahl, PhD, cofounder of ACT, and coauthor of Learning ACT in Psychiatry and The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Depression

Kirk Strosahl

This book is an example of ‘ACT unchained.’ For many reasons, ACT has often been presented as ‘a psychotherapy model among models.’ This book, reflecting the basic science perspective that ACT came from, is pointing toward something much more comprehensive: basic principles of effective psychological treatment.”
—Niklas Törneke, MD, author of Learning RFT and Metaphor in Practice

Niklas Törneke

Innovations in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy provides an excellent sampling of ACT interventions across clinical issues, populations, and levels of care; and demonstrates how ACT represents a process—based therapy. It’s exciting to see how far we’ve advanced in CBS! This book integrates contemporary applied behavior theory into clinical applications, providing not only an overview of current research, but also clinical tools for immediate use. Thus, it will be a very useful ‘state of the union’ for clinicians and researchers alike.”
—Lisa W. Coyne, PhD, assistant professor in the department of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School; founder of the New England Center for OCD and Anxiety in Boston, MA; and coauthor of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Lisa W. Coyne

Innovations in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy not only provides a compendium of up—to—date advances in the intervention, it contextualizes the evolution of ACT and the importance of refining and studying clinical application with varied populations. The research detailed here in conjunction with real—world strategies to improve clients’ lives makes it one of the most important books for clinicians, researchers, and teachers to read. Fully digesting the book means learning how to bring new and interesting ACT applications into your work as a mental health researcher and provider. This book not only catches the reader up on innovations, it inspires readers to continue the work of developing this incredible intervention.”
—Robyn D. Walser, PhD, codirector of Bay Area Trauma Recovery Clinic; assistant professor at the University of California, Berkeley; author of The Heart of ACT; and coauthor of Learning ACT and The Mindful Couple

Robyn D. Walser

If you’re anything like me, it’s hard to keep up with the constant stream of research in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), as the model continually grows, adapts, and changes. So, if you want to get up to speed on the latest innovative research in ACT, and discover the exciting new directions ACT is heading in, this book is for you!”
—Russ Harris, author of ACT Made Simple and The Happiness Trap

Russ Harris

This book is an example of ‘ACT unchained.’ For many reasons, ACT has often been presented as ‘a psychotherapy model among models.’ This book, reflecting the basic science perspective that ACT came from, is pointing toward something much more comprehensive: basic principles of effective psychological treatment.”
—Niklas Törneke, MD, author of Learning RFT and Metaphor in Practice

Niklas Törneke