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  • © 2015

The Research Journey of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Palgrave Macmillan

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Table of contents (17 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxi
  2. Theoretical and Historical Background

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
    2. The Need

      • Nic Hooper, Andreas Larsson
      Pages 3-5
    3. The Three Waves

      • Nic Hooper, Andreas Larsson
      Pages 6-16
    4. The History of ACT

      • Nic Hooper, Andreas Larsson
      Pages 17-22
    5. Contextual Behavioural Science

      • Nic Hooper, Andreas Larsson
      Pages 23-25
    6. The Importance of Empirical Research

      • Nic Hooper, Andreas Larsson
      Pages 26-28
  3. Empirical Research

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 29-29
    2. Depression

      • Nic Hooper, Andreas Larsson
      Pages 31-43
    3. Anxiety Disorders

      • Nic Hooper, Andreas Larsson
      Pages 44-65
    4. Serious Mental Illnesses

      • Nic Hooper, Andreas Larsson
      Pages 66-72
    5. Substance Abuse

      • Nic Hooper, Andreas Larsson
      Pages 73-76
    6. Smoking Cessation

      • Nic Hooper, Andreas Larsson
      Pages 77-85
    7. Eating Behaviour

      • Nic Hooper, Andreas Larsson
      Pages 86-97
    8. Pain

      • Nic Hooper, Andreas Larsson
      Pages 98-115
    9. Other Health Conditions

      • Nic Hooper, Andreas Larsson
      Pages 116-127
    10. Work

      • Nic Hooper, Andreas Larsson
      Pages 128-134
    11. The ACT Variety

      • Nic Hooper, Andreas Larsson
      Pages 135-153
  4. The Journey Ahead

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 155-155
    2. The Statistics

      • Nic Hooper, Andreas Larsson
      Pages 157-162

About this book

In 1986 the first research study investigating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) was published. It aimed to determine if an early conceptualization of the ACT model could be used to treat depression. Since this seminal study, further investigations have been conducted across every imaginable psychological issue and the rate at which this research has emerged is impressive. This book describes the research journey that ACT has taken in the past 30 years. It also suggests, in light of the progress that has already been made, how ACT research should move forward in the coming decades.

Reviews

“Hooper and Larsson aim to describe the research journey of ACT so far and map out directions for future research. … The clear and logical structure of the book certainly helps the reader to use it in this way. I think the book is likely to appeal to both researchers and clinicians, whether they are experienced in ACT or are just curious to learn more about the approach and the current state of the evidence base.” (Pamela Jacobsen, The Journal of Critical Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy, Vol. 16 (3), September, 2016)


'This book is for you if you are new to ACT and don't want to read a stack of empirical papers, while wanting to be sure that the therapy is scientifically supported. It covers key psychological domains in which ACT outcomes have been evaluated. You may be interested, for example in depression but not anxiety. Both are in here, with many others. These chapters provide a compelling and yet readable account of the benefits of ACT in terms of clinical outcomes. The authors have done the work for you in searching thoroughly through the evidence and contextualising the findings in terms of leading researchers and related issues. All you have to do is to read it.' - Dr. Yvonne Barnes-Holmes PhD, Author of Derived Relational Responding Applications for Learners with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities

'This book is an important chapter of a yet unfinished and larger book: The story of how a few simple ideas (yes, few and simple!) can impact a whole area of science. Read and stay updated! And as you read I am pretty sure you will expect more to come.' - Dr. Niklas Törneke M.D., Author of Learning RFT and co-author of ABCs of human behavior

'The ACT Research Journey is a book every ACT enthusiast will want to have on their shelf. The book provides an accessible and concise delivery of the burgeoning ACT research to date. It is both impressive and inspiring to see the breath of ACT research in one document. The researcher profiles provide great tips for future work from seminal researchers in key areas. An excellent contribution from bright academics in the ACT field.' - Dr. Louise McHugh PhD, Author of The Self and Perspective Taking

'For anyone interested in the wealth of research that has transformed ACT into an evidence-based psychotherapy, this book is well worth a read. Written in an engaging and accessible style, it takes you through the nuts and bolts of ACT research, introduces you to the researchers themselves, and explains the history of ACT and the science behind it.' - Dr Russ Harris, author of The Happiness Trap & ACT Made Simple

'Every researcher and clinician has biases. Digesting a comprehensive body of empirical work is the key to testing the assumptions that lead to those biases. This book is essential because the authors offer a road map for understanding what we know (and don't know) about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. There has never been a more opportune situation to form a sound judgment on the available research until now. Be a skeptic. Think for yourself. The science speaks for itself.' - Dr. Todd B. Kashdan, professor of psychology at George Mason University, USA and author of The Upside of Your Dark Side: Why being your whole self - not just your 'good' self - drives success and fulfillment.

'Hooper and Larsson's new book, The Research Journey of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, provides me with something I have wanted for a very, very long time: a comprehensive summary of virtually all of ACT's published empirical research. But it does more than that. It describes ACT's historical context and how it fits in to the broader world of psychotherapy, and it describes where future research is headed .and it does it very well. If you are looking for a go-to resource that tells you where ACT comes from, how it's been used, how effective it's been, and where it's going, you've found it.' - Dr. J. T. Blackledge, author of Cognitive Defusion in Practice.

Authors and Affiliations

  • University of the West of England, UK

    Nic Hooper

  • Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm County Council, Sweden

    Andreas Larsson

About the authors

Nic Hooper is a Lecturer of Psychology at the University of the West of England (UWE), UK. He has published a number of empirical papers investigating ACT/RFT, he runs workshops in which the ACT model is used to manage stress / weight loss and he writes a popular blog (www.nichooper.com).


Andreas Larsson is a licensed clinical psychologist at his private practice in Sweden. He additionally lectures and conducts research for Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm County Council, and also facilitates workshops in ACT/RFT for both the general public and professionals.




Foreword by Steven C. Hayes

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access