Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: 100 Key Points and Techniques

by Richard Bennett, Joseph E. Oliver

This book offers a comprehensive overview of the central theoretical tenets of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), guidance on key practical applications of the approach, and reflection on the strategic issues inherent to the delivery of this psychological intervention.

This thoroughly revised edition explains and demonstrates the range of acceptance, mindfulness, and behaviour change strategies that can be used in the service of helping people increase their psychological flexibility and wellbeing. Divided into three main parts, the book provides the reader with a solid grounding from which to develop their delivery of ACT-consistent interventions. This new edition also includes an update of the research literature and a review of new developments, techniques, and approaches within ACT theory and practice, fortified with a greater appreciation of diversity issues, such as the application of ACT across different groups and cultures.

This book will be of interest to students and practitioners of ACT from a range of disciplines spanning clinical, organisational, coaching, counselling, and psychotherapy settings.

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 31, 2025

Reviews

[Bridie Tulloch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book clearly describes the key concepts of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. It covers the key theoretical concepts of ACT and provides techniques that can support the client towards value based change in an authentic way that is both ethical and holistic. ACT philosophy and theory follows key behavioural principles, it differs from CBT in the sense that ACT has core components of ‘functional conceptualism’, a stance that looks at behaviour through a lens which considers the whole organism interacting within their historical and situational context. Cognitive therapy examines the inputs, processes and outputs of the clients cognition whereas ACT examines ‘workability’ of behaviour, which either takes us towards a value based life, or away from one. The book gives detailed descriptions of the function of behaviour, appetitive and aversive control, the importance of considering behavioural context, in the sense that if the context changes, the function of the behaviour does too. It gives a clear description of Relational Frame Theory, and the relationship between language and behaviour. Other chapters focus on experiential avoidance, which can be a short term mechanism used to escape suffering but can lead to long term problems which instead exasperate suffering, including psychological problems. The Hexaflex Model of psychological flexibility is described and explored, as are other key concepts such as cognitive fusion and how to assist the client to move towards psychological flexibility, looking at the ‘self as context’, committed action through acceptance, the exploration of ‘workability’, working with metaphor, client values, mindfulness and present moment awareness. This book gives clear examples of how ACT methods can be used in a therapeutic setting to help clients identify their ‘internal barriers’ to change, and take value based action towards their goals. The methods ethically support client agency and self-efficacy.
I particularly liked the way the book is divided into three parts, the head, hands and heart of ACT, the head being philosophy and theory, the hands being technique and practice, and the heart being the context, strategy, and process of ACT which highlights that human suffering is not a disease, and that clients are stuck, not broken.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book covers basic information on the theory, practice and therapeutic stance of Acceptance and Committment Therapy (ACT). What I really like about this book are the bite-sized chapters/points. I would not recommend this book as the very first book for someone new to the ACT model, since the short chapters necessarily mean that some information/more in depth explanations are left out. It fits nicely with a more detailed introductory textbook, though.
As with each new book I read about book, this one, too enabled me to see the ACT model from a slightly different angle and added something new to my perspective on ACT.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a practising Buddhist of over 30 years I was rather amused by how much of this therapy is reminiscent of 2500 year old Buddhist psychology, however I was really delighted to see it put into context in how to use that knowledge as a therapist.
The book is very well written, accessible and a good mixture of theoretical and practical material.
Highly recommended.

[Neil S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very useful textbook

I wouldn’t recommend this as a first text for someone with no knowledge of ACT. But once you get the basics and are practicing, this would be a fabulous aid. I love how the authors explain so many concepts in such clear ways.

[Chitra Saraswati · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written guide to ACT for practitioners: clear, concise, and engaging. Provides an excellent overview of ACT in both theory and practice.

I'll be reading the other books in the 100 Key Points and Techniques series if I'd like to learn about a mode of psychotherapy.