The Heart of ACT: Developing a Flexible, Process-Based, and Client-Centered Practice Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

by Robyn D. Walser

In The Heart of ACT , renowned acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) trainer Robyn Walser explores ACT as a process-based therapy incorporating interpersonal, intrapersonal, and overarching and ongoing processes, as well as the integration of six core components of psychological flexibility to connect clinicians to the dynamic and relational implementation of ACT. Engaging clinical scenarios, therapeutic insights, and supervision dialogues are offered to help clinicians move beyond their conceptual understanding of ACT principles to master the nuances of the therapeutic relationship at the heart of ACT. Using the tips and strategies in this professional guide, you’ll develop a flexible, grounded, and client-centered practice. With this comprehensive resource, you’ll learn to cultivate an organic, process-driven practice, grounded in the heart of the therapeutic relationship and responsive to clients in the moment. The Heart of ACT is designed to mimic the supervision experience by presenting material in thought-provoking chapters grounded in real-life clinical situations and challenges. In the book, you’ll also find supervision dialogues inspired by Walser's work with her supervisees, Carlton Coulter and Manuela O’Connell. Carlton and Manuela comment and ask questions related to the material in the book and their own ACT learning process. These are then addressed by Walser in a dialogue designed to assist clinicians in connecting to the material. These sections mimic the helpful mentoring process of one-on-one training and supervision, and offer insights into specific therapeutic challenges that can unfold in structured conversation. As the applications of ACT grow, so does the need for up-to-date professional resources. Unlike many advanced ACT books that focus on procedures and techniques, The Heart of ACT focuses on the heart of the therapeutic relationship, as well as the “soft skills” that are difficult to describe, but which often mark the difference between a merely good clinician and an excellent one. If you’re looking to take your ACT delivery to a new, exciting level, this book is a must-have addition to your professional library.

Genres: Psychology, Counselling

248 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2019

Reviews

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful and helpful book! It goes way beyond teaching ACT in terms of exercises and metaphors, which is actually not the scope of this book. It assumes previous knowledge of ACT and also some experience in using it in the therapeutic context.
This book tries to convey the "heart" of ACT. What ACT can look like when it is done in a truly fluent fashion, irrespective of metaphors and exercises, focusing on process instead. I really liked the focus on interpersonal and intrapersonal processes in this book - something I haven't come across in this fashion in any other book on ACT so far.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough!

[Hugh Simonich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not just another ACT book guiding you through the knowledge, techniques and practice of the ACT model. It goes much deeper into the intrapersonal and interpersonal reflections and experiences to gain the fluid application for ACT mastery.

Walser's own wisdom is reflected throughout the book, with reflections from two other ACT therapists that add both depth and quality in each section. Additionally, each chapter includes reflective practice sections to explore more about you, your work, and the relationship dynamic in the room. I plan to use these reflections as much as I can.

I've found this book to be insightful and practically useful. So many times in sessions I find myself in my head. I can move from process to process, make out the positive and negative reads within and between sessions, and clearly analyze behavioral function. That's all fine and good and it works for me, to an extent, but it's not fully what ACT is. Walser makes it clear that ACT is not just information to be conveyed, it's a felt experience, a deeply layered awareness of self and other, processes wrapped in a compassionate therapeutic stance, a shared interconnectedness, and a willingness to hold the tension and pain together, among other things.

Walser goes in depth about what this all means in a clear and practical way. It's a must read for anyone in practice. Loved it and would highly recommend it!

[Xander Johns · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a client and aspiring healthcare worker, I gave this book a good try, but I found the material dry, and was not captivated ):