Get ready to take a different perspective on your problems and your
life--and the way you live it.
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a new, scientifically based
psychotherapy that takes a fresh look at why we suffer and even what it
means to be mentally healthy. What if pain were a normal, unavoidable
part of the human condition, but avoiding or trying to control painful
experience were the cause of suffering and long-term problems that can
devastate your quality of life? The ACT process hinges on this
distinction between pain and suffering. As you work through this book,
you'll learn to let go of your struggle against pain, assess your
values, and then commit to acting in ways that further those values.
ACT is not about fighting your pain; it's about developing a willingness
to embrace every experience life has to offer. It's not about resisting
your emotions; it's about feeling them completely and yet not turning
your choices over to them. ACT offers you a path out of suffering by
helping you choose to live your life based on what matters to you most.
If you're struggling with anxiety, depression, or problem anger, this
book can help--clinical trials suggest that ACT is very effective for a
whole range of psychological problems. But this is more than a self-help
book for a specific complaint--it is a revolutionary approach to living
a richer and more rewarding life.
- Learn why the very nature of human language can cause suffering
- Escape the trap of avoidance
- Foster willingness to accept painful experience
- Practice mindfulness skills to achieve presence in the moment
- Discover the things you really value most
- Commit to living a vital, meaningful life
This book has been awarded The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive
Therapies Self-Help Seal of Merit -- an award bestowed on outstanding
self-help books that are consistent with cognitive behavioral therapy
(CBT) principles and that incorporate scientifically tested strategies
for overcoming mental health difficulties. Used alone or in conjunction
with therapy, our books offer powerful tools readers can use to
jump-start changes in their lives.
