ACT-Informed Exposure for Anxiety: Creating Effective, Innovative, and Values-Based Exposures Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

by Brian L. Thompson, Brian C. Pilecki, Joanne C. Chan

Powerfully effective, innovative, values-driven exposures for treating clients with anxiety. 

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) offers a proven effective model rooted in cutting edge research for guiding the use of exposure therapy—one of the most effective treatments for anxiety-related disorders. This comprehensive book provides easy-to-implement guidance in utilizing ACT-informed exposure while remaining grounded in theory, so you can help your clients approach what they’re afraid of in order to live their best lives. 

As you know, there are many different styles and ways of practicing exposure. This essential professional guide synthesizes evidence-based science, clinical studies, and complex theory into one powerfully effective resource, and makes ACT-informed exposure accessible to any practicing clinician. The book also offers practical suggestions for tailoring exposure exercises grounded in ACT to effectively address common client and therapist barriers to exposure therapy.

Whether you are new to ACT and exposure, or are experienced in other models of exposure therapy and interested in incorporating ACT into your practice, this book is an essential resource for your professional library.

Genres: Psychology

390 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2023

Reviews

[Luke Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an easy-to-read book packed with practical advice applicable to my work. The authors normalize the non-linear nature of exposure work, offering valuable insights for therapists who want to adhere to an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) framework more closely. Specifically, I found their discussion of therapist pitfalls and the normalization that exposure is not always clear-cut or linear helpful. I also found some of the specific phrasing and dialogues they offered helpful.

The book maintains an evidence-based approach. The authors make very few empirical claims without providing appropriate references. I highly recommend this book for beginner or intermediate learners seeking to improve their ACT case conceptualization or exposure skills. I suspect it will also be very beneficial for those in need of a refresher on exposure or ACT. For full disclosure, two of the authors were my previous supervisors, and I believed I learned quite a bit from working with them. While this may introduce bias, I genuinely believe this book is a great resource for therapists looking to enhance their exposure skills.

[Amanda Hilberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a useful resource for clinicians of all levels of experience who wish to consolidate and strengthen their understanding of ACT and exposure therapy. The authors provide thoughtful recommendations for ACT-informed language and overarching processes to share with clients regarding exposure work, emphasizing the value represented by the exposure exercise at hand. The authors present information in a manner that is both easily accessible and personable, resulting in this book being an easy and enjoyable read.

Amanda Hilberg, Psy.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Pacific Anxiety Group, and Tamara L. Hartl, Co-Author of Digging Out: Helping Your Loved One Manage Clutter, Hoarding, and Compulsive Acquiring

[Michael Tompkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotion exposure is the most effective component in the treatment of anxiety disorders. However, as effective as emotion exposure is, it's a difficult process that many clients are reluctant to try. In this book learned simple yet powerful values-based strategies that will increase the willingness of my anxious clients to engage in exposure therapy. The book is well organized and the authors write in a clear appealing style. I learned a great deal from the book and will recommend it to my colleagues.

[Anna Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

As part of my role, I regularly train future psychologists and other mental health professionals. The trainees quickly grasp the principles of ERP, but are often challenged in how to get sufferers to do the work they know will help them. I often hear that the patient is stuck on getting rid of anxiety and is unwilling to let go of this tenet. ACT-Informed Exposure for Anxiety offers practical guidance for clinicians wrestling with this very question. This book helps to systematize the art of applying the science.