What Makes You Stronger: How to Thrive in the Face of Change and Uncertainty Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

by Louise L. Hayes PhD, Joseph V. Ciarrochi PhD, Ann Bailey MPsych, Katharine Hall (Illustrator)

Overview

Discover the skills you need to face change and uncertainty with confidence—and grow even stronger!

Change can happen so slowly that you might not even notice it. And sometimes, it can happen in an instant, causing your world to come crashing down. For many of us, change is scary, and as a result, we may try to avoid it, or even actively resist it. But while burying our heads in the sand can provide some short-term relief, our fear can grow and manifest itself in life-altering ways like stress, anxiety, or depression. The good news is that you can learn to transform how you respond to unwanted change.

In What Makes You Stronger, you’ll learn to apply the authors’ proven-effective DNA-v model (Discoverer, Noticer, Advisor, Value, and Vitality)—a potent blend of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), mindfulness, and positive psychology to gain resilience in the face of change. Using this simple six-step process, you’ll not only cope with change and adversity—but grow stronger from it! You’ll discover strategies for managing uncertainty, breaking unhealthy behavior patterns, and reducing overwhelm when things start to feel out of control.

If you’re ready to stop running from change, and start living a life guided by your values, this powerful guide will be with you, every step of the way.

DNA-v: A Simple 6-Step Process to Positive Change

• The Broaden and Build Process – Learn to create, think, play, and explore in a way that builds value and joy
• Mindfulness and Attention Process – Pause and respond to feelings, rather than reacting impulsively
• The Cognitive Process – Disengage from negative self-talk
• The Values-Based Process – Clarify your values to create a meaningful life
• The Self-View Process – Let go of your ego and see your potential rather than your limitations
• The Social-View Process – Build genuine connections, manage difficult people, and forge strong social relationships

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781684038602
Publisher:	New Harbinger Publications
Publication date:	07/01/2022
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	625,336
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Louise L. Hayes, PhD, is an international acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) trainer, speaker, clinical psychologist, and researcher collaborating on interventions for adults and young people. Hayes has published research trials using ACT, and is coauthor of The Thriving Adolescent—the book that introduced DNA-v—plus the best-selling books, Your Life Your Way and Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life for Teens.

Joseph V. Ciarrochi, PhD, is a professor at the Institute for Positive Psychology and Education at Australian Catholic University. He has published more than 140 scientific journal articles and many books, including the widely acclaimed Emotional Intelligence in Everyday Life and The Weight Escape. Ciarrochi has been honored with more than four million dollars in research funding. His work has been discussed on TV and radio, and in magazines and newspaper articles. He is ranked in the top 2 percent of scientists in the world across all disciplines.

Ann Bailey, MPsych, is an experienced ACT practitioner and supervisor who developed an award-winning public mental health service for the treatment of borderline personality disorder (BPD) and anxiety disorders—integrating ACT, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Ann supervises a team of clinicians as director of her ACT-based Anxiety and Stress Clinic.


Katharine Hall is based in Wellington, New Zealand. From her wonderful studio in Aotearoa, she tells stories that can translate across language—specializing in ink work and digital designs for individuals, start-ups, and businesses both big and small.

Table of Contents

Introduction - DNA-V: The Four Foundations of Psychological Strength 1

Part 1 Your Foundation for Change 11

Chapter 1 Valuer: Directs Your Life Toward Purpose 15

Chapter 2 Advisor: Makes You Efficient 27

Chapter 3 Noticer: Strengthens Your Awareness 41

Chapter 4 Discoverer: Broadens and Builds Through Action 55

Part 2 Building Strength Within Yourself 69

Chapter 5 Your Vulnerable Self 73

Chapter 6 Your Boundless Self 85

Chapter 7 Your Compassionate Self 95

Chapter 8 Your Achieving Self 107

Chapter 9 Your Profound Awareness 119

Part 3 Building Strength in Social Situations 133

Chapter 10 Changing to a Flexible Social Style 137

Chapter 11 Bringing More Love and Friendship into Your Life 149

Chapter 12 Managing Difficulties with Others 159

Chapter 13 Active Hope as the World Changes 171

Endnotes 180

Interviews

Hayes resides in Tawonga South, VIC, Australia; Ciarrochi and Bailey reside in Austinmer, NSW, Australia.

Editorial Reviews

Not just a quick-fix self-help book, What Makes You Stronger provides a manual for crafting a more fulfilling life through awareness and values-based action. Based on solid behavioral science as well as uncommon wisdom, this book invites the reader to discover sources of wellness both within and without.”
—Richard M. Ryan, PhD, clinical psychologist, professor at the Institute for Positive Psychology and Education at Australian Catholic University, and cofounder of self-determination theory

Richard M. Ryan

Practical, fun, and comprehensive—this book will provide you with all the tools you need to navigate the complexities and curveballs that life may throw at you. I’d highly recommend getting a copy and diving into the wisdom that is set out in these pages.”
—Joe Oliver, PhD, founder of Contextual Consulting, associate professor at University College London, and coauthor of TheMindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Self-Esteem

Joe Oliver

Do you sometimes feel that you are living like a zombie, just mindlessly responding to the many demands placed on you? Do you sometimes feel disconnected from your values and your destination? What Makes You Stronger teaches you concrete skills that allow you to become a stronger self and to make stronger social connections. Louise Hayes, Joseph Ciarrochi, and Ann Bailey have produced an approachable and easy-to-read text that will guide you through your life. I highly recommend it.”
—Stefan G. Hofmann, PhD, Alexander von Humboldt professor at Philipps University of Marburg in Germany, and coauthor of Learning Process-Based Therapy

Stefan G. Hofmann

Written in a highly accessible, practical style, What Makes You Stronger provides a simple set of steps you can take to pursue the life you’ve always dreamed of having, but perhaps felt you were not strong enough or worthy enough to make it so. As this book beautifully demonstrates, you have at your fingertips all the tools needed to weather life’s unpredictable moments, and at the same time to bond with yourself and the people and things that matter to you in the world. Highly recommended!”
—Kirk Strosahl, PhD, cofounder of ACT, and coauthor of The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Depression

Kirk Strosahl

The DNA-v model is an accessible and memorable way to think about some of the core processes of change that we know are important to psychological health. If you can learn to be more psychologically flexible, your life will change. Like a flashlight on a pathway, this book will help make that journey clearer.”
—Steven C. Hayes, originator of ACT, and author of A Liberated Mind

Steven C. Hayes

This book speaks to all of us who have felt lost, hopeless, or simply not being enough. It helps developing and strengthening fundamental abilities to develop a meaningful life, abandon useless battles with our own thoughts and feelings, and turn pain into fuel to pursue our deepest longing in life. A must-read also for clinical psychologists.... And, by the way, it has a strong scientific base, too.”
—Giovambattista Presti, MD, PhD, professor of psychology at University of Enna Kore in Italy, and past president of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science

Giovambattista Presti

This book is truly empowering. Beautifully packed with wise, manageable strategies for living with strength and purpose. It takes you through a compassionate journey that invites you to dream big—to step outside of your comfort zone and build resistance, vitality, as well as meaningful connections. This book teaches you that you are strong enough to carry both fear and uncertainty in building the life you want to live.”
—Rikke Kjelgaard, licensed psychologist, author, speaker, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) expert, and chief rock’n’roller and passionate changemaker at www.rikkekjelgaard.com

Rikke Kjelgaard

I opened the pages of What Makes You Stronger and instantly fell in love! Louise Hayes, Joseph Ciarrochi, and Ann Bailey have hit a home run! The engaging work found in this self-help book about creating a purposeful life by building vulnerability, awareness, love, friendship, and flexibility sits right at the feet of vitality. The illustrations are amazing! I can only imagine that each person who reads this work will do nothing but grow, finding their path to meaningful living.”
—Robyn D. Walser, PhD, licensed clinical psychologist, author of The Heart of ACT, and coauthor of The Mindful Couple, Learning ACT, The ACT Workbook for Anger, and ACT for Moral Injury

Robyn D. Walser