The ACT Guide to Living Fully No Matter What Life Throws at You

It's impossible to avoid pain in life--but why not add joy? For anyone interested in living more fully and freely, Gijs Jansen distills the essence of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in this compassionate, witty guide. Practical tools, relatable stories, and clear exercises teach readers proven ways to handle painful emotions and loosen the grip of self-criticism, avoidance, and fear. Dr. Jansen provides an accessible introduction to ACT through a three-step approach that integrates head, body, and heart. He blazes a path to identifying and working toward deeply felt personal goals, from overcoming anxiety and stress to healing old wounds and building stronger relationships. Readers learn doable strategies to actively pursue what they value and keep honing their vision of the life they want.

Mental health professionals, see also Jansen's Making ACT Happen, a concise primer that helps therapists develop their clinical skills.