Essentials of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

137 Pages·2011·2.75 MB·English

by  Sonja V. Batten

EE
ss
ss
ee
nn
tt
ii
aa
ll
ss
oo
ff

AA
cc
cc
‘The literature on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is vast but if you want to ee
pp
dig down to the essentials you’ve found the right volume. Nothing central is left out and tt
aa
nothing unnecessary is left in. Written by one of the world’s experts on ACT, this book delivers. nn
Highly recommended.’ cc
ee
Dr Steven C. Hayes, Foundation Professor, University of Nevada
aa
nn Essentials of
This practical, easy-to-use book introduces the theory and practice of Acceptance and dd

Commitment Therapy (ACT), a key contextual third wave CBT approach. The book takes the CC
reader through the therapeutic stages from start to end, showing how to use acceptance and oo
mm
mindfulness together with commitment and behaviour change strategies to improve mental Acceptance and
mm
health. This is a uniquely concise and clear introduction that does not require prior knowledge
ii
of the approach. It tt
mm
• puts the emphasis on practical interventions and direct applicability in real practice ee Commitment
nn
• avoids jargon and complex language
tt
• is full of case examples to translate the theory into practice T T
• includes key points and questions to test readers’ comprehension of the topics covered. hh
ee Therapy
After reading this book, readers will be able to apply basic ACT interventions for common rr
aa
problems, and will know if they are interested in more in-depth training in ACT. This is a must- pp
yy
have overview of ACT for CBT trainees on graduate level courses in the UK and worldwide. It
will also be of value to practitioners on ACT workshops and short courses, as preliminary or
follow-up reading.
BB
aa
tt
tt
Sonja V. Batten is a clinical psychologist who works on mental health policy for the United ee
nn
States Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sonja V. Batten
©
Cover image D. Sharon Pruitt | Cover design by Wendy Scott
s batten_essentials_aw.indd 1 16/02/2011 11:41
00-BATTEN_4179-Prelims.indd 1 17/02/2011 11:16:42 AM
SAGE has been part of the global academic community
since 1965, supporting high quality research and learning
that transforms society and our understanding of individuals,
groups, and cultures. SAGE is the independent, innovative,
natural home for authors, editors and societies who share
our commitment and passion for the social sciences.
Find out more at: www.sagepublications.com
00-BATTEN_4179-Prelims.indd 2 17/02/2011 11:16:42 AM
00-BATTEN_4179-Prelims.indd 3 17/02/2011 11:16:43 AM
© Sonja V. Batten 2011
First published 2011
Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of research or private study,
or criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and
Patents Act, 1988, this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted
in any form, or by any means, only with the prior permission in writing of
the publishers, or in the case of reprographic reproduction, in accordance
with the terms of licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency.
Enquiries concerning reproduction outside those terms should be sent
to the publishers.
SAGE Publications Ltd
1 Oliver’s Yard
55 City Road
London EC1Y 1SP
SAGE Publications Inc.
2455 Teller Road
Thousand Oaks, California 91320
SAGE Publications India Pvt Ltd
B 1/I 1 Mohan Cooperative Industrial Area
Mathura Road
New Delhi 110 044

SAGE Publications Asia-Pacific Pte Ltd
33 Pekin Street #02-01
Far East Square
Singapore 048763
Library of Congress Control Number: 2010934666
British Library Cataloguing in Publication data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN 978-1-84920-167-4
ISBN 978-1-84920-168-1 (pbk)
Typeset by C&M Digitals (P) Ltd, Chennai, India
Printed in Great Britain by MPG Books Group, Bodmin, Cornwall
Printed on paper from sustainable resources
Certno.SGS-COC-1565
00-BATTEN_4179-Prelims.indd 4 17/02/2011 11:16:44 AM
Contents
About the Author vi
Praise for the Book vii
Acknowledgements ix
1 The ACT Conceptual Framework 1
2 The ACT Therapeutic Stance 9
3 Moving from Control to Willingness 18
4 Reducing the Hold of Language 28
5 Contacting the Present Moment 37
6 Identifying a Consistent Self-Perspective 47
7 Clarifying Individual Life Values 56
8 Building a Life through Committed Action 66
9 ACT for Anxiety 75
10 ACT for Depression 85
11 ACT for Substance Use and Addictive Disorders 95
12 Special Considerations in Applying ACT 105
References 116
Index 124
00-BATTEN_4179-Prelims.indd 5 17/02/2011 11:16:44 AM
About the Author
Sonja V. Batten is a clinical psychologist who works on national mental
health policy for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
She is also an Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry in the
Georgetown University School of Medicine and the Uniformed Services
University of the Health Sciences School of Medicine. Dr Batten has
extensive experience in acceptance-based psychotherapies, traumatic
stress, substance abuse and women’s health. She completed an NIMH-
sponsored postdoctoral fellowship in traumatic stress at VA’s National
Center for PTSD. She also received specialty training in interpersonal
violence treatment and research at the National Crime Victims Center
of the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr Batten earned her doc-
torate in clinical psychology from the University of Nevada Reno, where
she received multiple fellowship and dissertation awards. It was during
this time that she was involved with intensive ACT clinical training and
research initiatives with Dr Steve Hayes. For her undergraduate train-
ing, she attended the University of Georgia on a Foundation Fellowship
and graduated first in her class. She has received multiple professional
honours, including an award for Outstanding Contributions by an Early
Career Psychologist to Psychology in Service to the Public. Dr Batten is
also an active researcher, with an extensive international record of ACT
trainings, professional presentations and publications.
00-BATTEN_4179-Prelims.indd 6 17/02/2011 11:16:44 AM
Praise for the Book
‘Dr Batten’s world-wide reputation as an expert ACT trainer shines
through in this thorough, practical and clearly written book. Her deep
understanding and long experience with ACT has allowed her to produce
an insightful clinical guide that those developing their ACT skills will find
essential. Dr Batten presents the key ACT concepts in a way that makes
them easy to understand and apply therapeutically. I have no doubt that
this book will serve as a key ACT text throughout the UK and Europe.’
Professor Frank W. Bond, PhD, Head of Department, Department of
Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, UK
‘This is the best introductory guide to acceptance and commitment ther-
apy (ACT) that I have seen. Both the theory and techniques of the ACT
model of psychotherapy are often counterintuitive and confusing, even to
experienced therapists. Many existing books on ACT delve into thorny
theoretical issues that are only fully appreciated by those already famil-
iar with the model, and that leave those without a thorough grounding
scratching their heads in bewilderment. This book fills an important gap.
Batten nicely distills the essence of ACT’s core ideas in this lucid, highly
accessible book. This book will be required reading for my doctoral stu-
dents in clinical psychology, and I highly recommend it to any clinician
seeking a clear introductory treatment to this groundbreaking work.’
James D. Herbert, PhD, Professor of Psychology; Associate Dean for
Research and Graduate Education; Director, Anxiety Treatment and
Research Program, Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA
‘If you are looking for a clear, nuanced, and intensely practical introduction
to ACT, then start with this book. Sonja has been living and breathing this
work for a very long time and it shows on every page. Guided by her gentle
hand, you’ll be offered a unique perspective on the thinking processes that
underlie effective ACT work and come away with a deeper appreciation of
ACT itself. I consider this book an essential read for anyone serious about
learning ACT. I am already planning to use this book as a teaching tool
with my graduate students and those I supervise in clinical training.’
John P. Forsyth, PhD, Professor and Director of the Anxiety Disorders
Research Program at the University at Albany, SUNY, New York, USA; and
author of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Anxiety Disorders, The
Mindfulness & Acceptance Workbook for Anxiety and Your Life on Purpose
00-BATTEN_4179-Prelims.indd 7 17/02/2011 11:16:44 AM
‘This book is a must for clinicians who are interested in learning about
ACT. It is well written, practical, therapist friendly and very well orga-
nized. It provides therapists with practical guidance that can be used in
clinical situations. It could easily be used as a textbook to support ACT
training and supervision.’
Dr Kirk Strosahl, Psychologist, Central Washington Family Medicine,
Yakima, Washington, USA
‘A concise and accessible guide to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
for practitioners interested in learning about this innovative and clini-
cally powerful approach to psychotherapy. Dr Batten draws on her
extensive experience as a clinician, supervisor and trainer, to provide
readers with the solid foundation they need to engage in case conceptu-
alization and treatment planning from an ACT perspective. Her inclu-
sion of key concepts, key terms and points for review and reflection make
this an outstanding text for graduate-level trainees.’
Dr Susan M. Orsillo, Professor and Director of Clinical Training, Suffolk
University, Boston, USA
00-BATTEN_4179-Prelims.indd 8 17/02/2011 11:16:44 AM
Acknowledgements
Thank you to the amazing mentors I have had through the years, who
have provided me with strength, guidance and opportunity: Steve Hayes,
Toni Zeiss, Sue Orsillo, Victoria Follette, Paula Schnurr and many oth-
ers. Without you, I could never have grown so much in acceptance of life
as it is, been willing to take on those things that are important to me
and had the courage to take such leaps in the direction of my values. To
my colleagues at the VA Maryland Health Care System: I will always
cherish our work together to develop programmes that would measure
up to the amazing veterans whom we had the privilege to serve. Endless
gratitude goes to all of my clients over the years and my beautiful col-
leagues in the ACT community, who have each taught me so much. To
my amazing friends around the world: thank you for your unflagging
love and support. Herzlichen Dank to my mother, Marlen, whose faith in
me has never once faltered. And to my father, Wes, who once wrote to
me: ‘I hope that you will be able to find things in your life which are
meaningful enough to you that you can put forth your best efforts to
bring them to fruition’. Looking back, it is no coincidence that the ACT
model has such resonance for me.
00-BATTEN_4179-Prelims.indd 9 17/02/2011 11:16:44 AM