Reclaim Your Life: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in 7 Weeks

by Carissa Gustafson PsyD

Overview

Accept your thoughts—and start moving forward—with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Thoughts are simply a normal part of being human, but we've all had them disrupt our lives. Reclaim Your Life offers a seven-week program to accept and manage your thoughts with evidence-based strategies from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Find ways to increase your flexibility in thinking, get some distance from your thoughts, and work toward a life full of values and purpose.

ACT helps you get a handle on your emotions and learn new ways to move through difficulties like panic attacks and low self-esteem. When strategies like labeling, visualizing, practicing mindfulness, and others are implemented, they bring a positive change in your life.

• 7-week program—Learn one of the six core processes of ACT each week and bring them all together during the seventh and final week.
• Support for a range of issues—ACT can help with mental health issues like obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Tools you can use—Use the six chapter lessons, worksheets, and exercises to learn each step of the process.

Reclaim Your Life allows you to let go of your struggles against thoughts and feelings, and commit to a richer, more rewarding life instead.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781646112470
Publisher:	Callisto Publishing
Publication date:	01/07/2020
Pages:	188
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 7.40(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

DR. CARISSA GUSTAFSON, PSYD, is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist based in Los Angeles, CA and an Adjunct Professor at Pepperdine University, specializing in third-wave cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT) like acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Her mission is to help people learn how to relate to their distress with a sense of acceptance and compassion. For more information, visit www.drcarissagustafson.com.

Table of Contents

Introduction + How to Use This Book viii

Part 1 Your Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Starter Guide 1

Chapter 1 All About ACT 3

Chapter 2 ACT and You 17

Part 2 The 7-Week Program 33

Week 1 Your Thoughts Are Not Reality 35

Week 2 Getting Unstuck 51

Week 3 Use Mindfulness to Be Present in the Moment 71

Week 4 Observe Your Own Experience 89

Week 5 Figure Out Your Values 101

Week 6 Take ACTion 121

Week 7 Bringing It All Together 147

Resources 165

References 167

Index 172

Editorial Reviews

We needed this book—it's awesome! Dr. Gustafson presents ACT in a linear, accessible way that will help so many more people understand and use this approach. . . . The formatting of this book is delightful and easy to read. This is a much-needed additional resource for those who want to learn, practice, or communicate about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.”—Dr. Chandler S. Chang, licensed psychologist, founder of Golden Hour Therapy and Therapy Lab

“This is a comprehensive and digestible guide to changing your life in as little as seven weeks! A must read for anyone looking for practical ways to better their current circumstances.”—Meredith Kalies, Psy.D, licensed clinical psychologist.

“From reading this book, it is clear that Dr. Gustafson carries the spirit of ACT! This book on ACT is clear and easy to understand for individuals looking to advance life through any circumstance. It provides specific steps and encourages valued action in order lead a life with purpose in just 7 weeks!”—Nina Polyné, PsyD, behavioral health staff psychologist

“Feeling stress, anxiety, and emotional pain are difficult experiences for anyone. Dr. Carissa Gustafson offers an abundance of practical tools that not only help relieve these experiences but also teach you how to eliminate suffering through weekly guided exercises. This could truly be a game changer if you're looking to be more in touch with who you are and understanding yourself better.”—Annie Varvaryan, Psy.D., licensed clinical psychologist

From the Publisher