Table Of ContentTHE
APPROACH
TimoGtohryMd sown ,
JesBsoircuas hok,
PhD
KevPionl k,
Foreword by PhD
ThAeC ATp proach
Praise for
"The ACT Approach is a marvelous must have desk resource for any practicing therapist. Tim and Jessica
present the ACT model in easy to understand terms, masterfully blend in various ACT concepts and associated
techniques, and show the evolution of the model over the last two decades. They even supply highly useful
client handouts that the therapist can use to support learning and offer very entertaining and useful experiential
self-guided exercises for the therapist who is new to ACT. Through the use of clinical transcripts, which have
unique sidebar commentaries, Jessica and Tim demonstrate how to use ACT principles with a wide range of
common clinical problems. This book is a wonderful primer for any therapist who wants to learn ACT. It is
dearly written, entertaining, informative, and very clinically focused. The book shows very dearly the authors'
complete mastery of ACT concepts and clinical strategies. Highly recommended!"
-KiSrtkr osPahhDl,,
Co-founder of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
"Timothy Gordon and Jessica Borushok have written a superb therapeutic guide for conducting ACT.
In dear prose, with engaging illustrative examples, they explain ACT and show how practitioners can use
ACT to help their clients live meaningful lives consistent with their values. I strongly recommend it."
-AndreCwh ristPehnDs,e n,
Distinguished Research Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles
Co-developer and author of Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT)
"Learning ACT is often confusing. This great book takes an interested clinician by the hand and leads them
through a challenging learning path. Written by working clinicians for working clinicians, the book is engaging
and clear. Particularly useful are the places where the authors discuss how they apply ACT principles to their
own lives and the clinical transcripts. It seems the clinicians learn best by "seeing" the work. And the transcripts
give a very dear sense of how to do ACT in a natural, non "techique-y'' manner. Transitioning to ACT doesn't
mean letting go of the clinical practices that work, but adding precision, scope and depth to the processes.
I highly recommend this book."
-JoanSntee inwLacChSsW,,
Peer Reviewed ACT Trainer
''As both a basic scientist and ACT researcher, I like that the authors have brought sufficient focus to these
topics in the early parts of the book. However, having reviewed plenty of ACT books I must say that this one
has a slightly different feel to it. Specifically, it is a hands-on and process focused account of ACT that I believe
will be of huge and practical benefit to the people on the front lines of human suffering."
-NiHeo opPehrD,,
Co-author of The Research Journey ofA cceptance and Commitment Therapy
''ACT is one of the most popular treatments nowadays; despite its popularity, its dissemination is
compromised by the lack of dear, hands on, and clinically relevant materials for mental health providers
from different theoretical orientations, backgrounds, who work at different settings. The ACT approach
conveys the theory and the practice of ACT in a way that it's dear and easy to understand, covering
different ACT lenses and without losing the sophistication of delivering ACT in a therapy room. This
books is dearly written by clinicians who spend hours and hours working with a broad range of clients and
therefore it's full of real-life examples, clinical recommendations, and reflective comments for ACT learners.
I really wish this book was written many years ago when I first learned ACT."
-PatZruirciOitnaaa P ,s yD,
Author of ParenatT ironugb lTeede n
"This book is a treasure for any therapist interested in learning about ACT, or any trained ACT therapists
looking to apply their skills to children, groups or marginalized and oppressed populations. The authors scaffold
concepts throughout the book; the simple concepts in earlier chapters are, by the end, rich and complex. This
makes the text invaluable to novices and experts. The images are simple and useful. The annotated transcripts
are a wonderful way of demystify what ACT looks like in practice, and demonstrating how master clinicians
use ACT. This text would be a wonderful resource to graduate students and professionals alike. "
-JonaBt.Sh ianngP ehrDL,,C SW,
Associate Professor of Social Work, Loyola University-Chicago
Founder and Host of the Social Work Podcast
"The ACT Approach has cleverly integrated all the newest advances in the field of ACT into the text in an
accessible and immediately useable format. The book is written in an accessible style teaching the reader ACT
concepts while bringing them along in a compassionate and gentle style. The examples are easy to identify
with and the exercises well timed. A great way to be introduced to the ACT model. An excellent contribution
from innovative authors in the ACT field."
-LouMicsHeu gPhh,D ,
Co-author of ThSee alfn Pde rspeTcatkiivneg
''A dear and accessible guide to understanding and using ACT in daily practice. The process discussions added
to the therapy transcripts are very helpful in guiding the reader in applying the principles of ACT in their own
sessions. Whether you are an ACT therapist or a therapist looking to incorporate ACT into your own work,
the activities and worksheets are tools that you and clients alike will find helpful."
-NiGkoim ez-PMeSrW,alR eSsW,,
Author of AttachFmoecnutTs raeudm Tar eatfomreC nhti ldren
andA dolesacneAdnt ttsa chFmoecnutTs oeodl box
"This very accessible book is both a great way to get in to ACT and a nice friend to hold your hand as you
explore it in more depth. I particularly like the clinical vignettes with cheat-sheets attached that makes it dear
what is going on in session and helps the reader do the same in their own practice."
-AndreLaasr sPshoDn,,
Co-author of ThRee sejaorucrhon fe y
AcceptaanndCc oem mitmTehnetr (aApCyT)
Copyright © 2017 by Timothy Gordon and Jessica Borushok
Published by
PESI Publishing & Media
PESI, Inc
3839 White Ave
Eau Claire, WI 54703
Cover: Amy Rubenzer
Editing: Bookmasters
Layout:A my Rubenzer & Bookmasters
ISBN:9781683730811
All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America.
PESI
Publishing
& Media
www.PESl.com
Dedication
Toa lclh illdor,mse atnyy o bue f ound.
- T.G.
Tom yp artinnae ltrlh ings.
-J.B.
About the Authors
TmiotGhoyr don,
MSW, is a social worker in Canada
and internationally recognized peer-reviewed ACT trainer. He specializes in
treating attachment and trauma related disorders. Tim is also a yoga teacher
who integrates movement and yoga practices into his work. Tim's research
has included yoga as a mental health intervention, ACT for chronic pain, and
ACT with neonatal intensive care units. Tim is passionate about empowering
people in various settings to use ACT, he has worked with Canada's
Parliament and is involved in bringing ACT to sub-Saharan African countries
with his colleagues at Commit and Act.
Visit Tim's website: www.TheZenSocialWorker.ca
ShO k,
JecsasB ior u
PhD, is a psychologist specializing in
health-related problems, including obesity, chronic pain, and coping with
chronic medical conditions. In addition to clinical work, Jessica provides ACT
trainings and program development internationally. She has conducted a
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) grant-funded
pilot randomized controlled trial exploring the impact of ACT on physical
activity among sedentary workers.
Visit Jessica's website at www.yourpsychology.ca.
