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 both acceptance and change. A truly innovative way of making functional talk even clearer in ACT.” —Niklas Törneke, MD, author of Learning RFT and Metaphor in Practice
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
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 ACT—easy 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
For clinicians who are trying to learn the ‘how to’ of ACT, Russ’s 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, don’t hesitate to add this to your collection—the 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
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 you’ll 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
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 Russ’s hallmark humor, compassion, and wonder. Expanded, without being more complicated, the second edition of ACT Made Simple is a vital clinician’s 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 you’ve 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. I’ve supervised hundreds of ACT clinicians, and I reliably recommend Russ’s publications, and that will continue to be true for this updated version!” —DJ Moran, PhD, BCBA-D, Pickslyde consulting; coauthor of ACT in Practice and Committed Action in Practice
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
Simple doesn’t 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
Reviewer: Christopher J Graver, PhD, ABPP-CN(Madigan Healthcare System)
Description: Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) has emerged as a leading therapy choice among clinicians alongside classic cognitive behavioral therapy and its variations. This book provides an introduction to this therapeutic approach.
Purpose: As the title indicates, the aim of this book is to provide an introduction to ACT and a practical guide with useful tools and supplements. This second edition updates the original published a decade ago.
Audience: This is intended for any behavioral health clinicians interested in learning and applying ACT. It is written for clinicians looking to broaden their therapeutic techniques, as well as graduate students and interns learning a new therapy for the first time. The authors are well-known and accomplished researchers.
Features: For readers unfamiliar with this book, it begins with an introduction to what ACT is and clarifies common points of conceptual confusion, followed by the nitty-gritty section of 21 chapters on specific skills and exercises related to ACT, and ends with a few wrap-up chapters. The bulk of the detailed chapters have a box at the beginning that summarizes the technique. This is followed by specific instruction, illustrations and figures, and copious examples of therapist-patient dialogue. Examples of questions to ask are abundant, along with tips for when clinicians hit a trouble spot. Finally, there are "extra bits" boxes throughout the chapter that give clinicians additional resources to access and "skilling up" sections that have suggestions for building that particular skill. For readers familiar with this book, about half of this edition is new, with more examples and techniques, as well as a simpler approach to learning ACT than the one used in the original (albeit the original was not complicated). There is new information on exposure treatments, overcoming hopelessness, self-compassion, flexible thinking, and more. About half the references have been updated as well.
Assessment: This is a quick-start guide to ACT that is practical and simple without losing the core content needed to effectively deliver therapy. It is a recommended guide for both students learning psychotherapy and clinicians seeking a varied therapeutic toolbox. For those who have not kept current on ACT research and approaches since the first edition, this second edition is a worthwhile update.
“Russ Harris is an open, centered, and engaged teacher of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and, in ACT Made Simple, he succeeds in delivering a transparent account of a complex and powerful treatment. I recommend this book to mental health and medical providers and to their teachers.”
— Patricia J. Robinson, Ph.D., coauthor of Behavioral Consultation and Primary Care and The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Depression
“ACT Made Simple is simply the most accessible book written to date for therapists interested in learning ACT. Russ Harris explains ACT concepts in a style that is both engaging and straightforward. His advice on overcoming therapy roadblocks is invaluable and will be useful to both novice and experienced ACT practitioners.”
— Jason B. Luoma, Ph.D., psychologist at Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, and Training Center
“Perhaps the most elegant, easily digestible book on using the principles of mindfulness and acceptance to improve your own life and the lives of others. Inside are a litany of creative exercises and strategies that are ready for immediate use. But none of the benefits would be possible without the supportive, entertaining voice of Russ Harris. There is something new to be learned with each reading.”
— Todd B. Kashdan, Ph.D., professor of psychology at George Mason University and author of Curious? Discover the Missing Ingredient to a Fulfilling Life
“ACT aims to increase psychological flexibility. Learn from this book and you'll be doing ACT rather than just talking about doing ACT. And you’ll be doing it with greaterflexibility.”
— Hank Robb, Ph.D., ABPP
“Let’s face it: psychological concerns are complex. If modern behavior therapy is to rise to the occasion of reducing human suffering, it will require a similarly intricate and comprehensive approach. ACT attempts to provide a multifaceted treatment model to address these complexities, and ACT Made Simple has risen to the occasion by reducing the difficulties in understanding the unique ACT approach. Harris’s expressive style is matchless. Comprehensive scientific and clinical literature rarely reads this well. This is a clear, understandable introduction to a powerful intervention approach. Many practitioners who are new to ACT will want to start with ACT Made Simple.”
— Daniel J. Moran, Ph.D., BCBA, coauthor of ACT in Practice
“This much-needed book is a must for mental health clinicians interested in learning ACT. True to his physician roots, Harris has taken a very practical approach to understanding ACT. He does a wonderful job of taking complicated ACT concepts and making them easy to understand. His writing is full of wit, self-disclosure, and down-to-earth communication. Readers of this book will finish it with a much better understanding of core ACT principles and interventions.”
— Kirk D. Strosahl, Ph.D., coauthor of The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Depression
“For newcomers to ACT, there is no better place to start than with this book. Russ Harris masterfully makes ACT come alive with an accessible writing style and illustrative examples of its application in alleviating a wide range of types of human suffering. Practical tips and homework assignments throughout will actively engage you to go beyond merely reading about ACT and begin to apply it to your own life and in your work with clients. For those who may have been holding out for ACT for Dummies, the wait is over. This book is for you!”
— Robert Zettle, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Wichita State University and author of ACT for Depression
“For those of you who train or supervise nurses, physicians, social workers, or other professionals unffamiliar with psychological lingo, ACT Made Simple is a must. Russ Harris has succeeded in the challenge of translating difficult psychological concepts embedded in ACT into plain, colorful, diverse language that anyone working clinically will understand. Each section is simply organized, easy to follow, and user-friendly. Harris has included highly useful sections of practical tips and common pitfalls that even the trained ACT therapist will find useful. I highly recommend ACT Made Simple as a primer for ACT training.”
— JoAnne Dahl, Ph.D., author of The Art and Science of Valuing in Psychotherapy
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 both acceptance and change. A truly innovative way of making functional talk even clearer in ACT.” —Niklas Törneke, MD, author of Learning RFT and Metaphor in Practice
