Customer Reviews

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy for the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Practitioner's Guide to Using Mindfulness & Acceptance Strategies

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This book is a tremendous asset to therapists, because not only does it address how to treat PTSD using Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT), but is a terrific overview of the ACT model itself. I've read other books on ACT, but none have been this concise and this clear on the model, how to implement it, and how to explain it to clients. Another great aspect is that it is really geared toward exactly HOW to implement ACT with PTSD, with examples, scripts of actual sessions, and "sticking points" for both therapists and their clients. This specifically helps therapists with challenges they may have with with ACT as the clinician, but also has specific suggestions for common sticking points for clients. It's well written, concise (unlike other ACT books, which I think can be overly theoretical and less practical), and useful. The application to PTSD and trauma is really clear, and I think this is going to really help the trauma field. The authors certainly have the credentials to back up the book, they are experts in PTSD and are actual practicing clinicians, too. You also have to love the drawings, and quotes that start each chapter, adds a laugh or two while they help illustrate the ideas and concepts. All in all, terrific book.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for the Treatment of PTSD & Trauma Related Problems by Walser and Westrup provides an excellent overview of PTSD and the various challenges faced by those who are personally grappling with the impact of trauma in their lives. The essence of the book however lies in the application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as a timely and empirically based treatment approach for trauma related difficulties. The authors outline and incorporate ACT in a manner that is clear and approachable for those already familiar with ACT, and those who are interested in learning more about this evidence-based treatment approach. The book provides a clear and concise road map for treatment using ACT in a manner that is consistent with other state of the art empirically based therapies (i.e., exposure) and the growing literature on mindfulness and acceptance based approaches. In addition, it is rich with practical case examples, mindfulness and acceptance exercises, and steeped in metaphors that facilitate the work of therapy. The worksheets, CD-ROM and reference resources complement the material.

The authors also address the essential role of the therapist as an integral part of the therapeutic process, and convey the value in recognizing our respective role and the related challenges faced as clinicians who are often caught up in similar trappings as the person across from us. The book invites the reader to discern in a non-judgmental manner if ACT is well suited for them given what ACT asks of the therapist in terms of their own process, perspective and willingness. Consistent with ACT, Walser and Westrup provide a framework for living a meaningful and valued life that goes beyond the diagnosis and resolution of PTSD. The authors articulate a context of possibilities for living a more complete, rich and vital life that extends beyond amelioration of anxiety. I highly recommend this book.

Pete Morones, Ph.D.
Portland, OR

This book is an excellent resource for any clinician interested in learning more about acceptance and commitment therapy. The authors do a great job of explaining PTSD from an ACT perspective, emphasizing the verbal nature of PTSD and its experiential avoidance component. What I found most valuable is their presentation of each of the core components of ACT, and the use of transcripts from actual sessions to illustrate each component. Well-written, engaging, and very practical. It even has cool illustrations!

I am not a therapist myself, but after an abusive marriage and and even more abusive divorce process, I have read whatever seems like it might be helpful. I found some portions of this book in a Google book excerpt - they led me to purchase it immediately despite the high price.

The book is well worth the money. No book on trauma has been so helpful to me as this one. The ideas are truly revolutionary. I would especially recommend this book for "word" people - readers and thinkers. We tend to want to use thinking and language to find that "key" which will unlock whatever is trapping us - and that approach, its flaws and possibilities, are the essence of this therapy. The revelations here are not the sort you rejoice in, then forget two days later. Once you "see" the truths herein, you cannot "un-see" them. The exercises and examples are very powerful.

This is the much needed practical guide for implementing ACT. The overview of ACT is the most practical and understandable I've read and the guide for implementing the treatment is the step-by-step "how to" I've been needing. I really appreciated the specific examples provided for implementing the treatment and the word for word descriptions of how experienced ACT clinicians approach difficult situations. It is rare to discover a book like this that not only furthers my understanding of a treatment but also motivates me to practice it!

What a pleasure to read a book for "work" and to savor each chapter and look forward to the next. This accessible, engaging book is written with warmth and compassion. You feel as if you were in the room with these seasoned and oh-so-human therapists and their courageous clients.
After reading the book, I now understand the essence of Acceptance and Committment Therapy, feel like I have witnessed the experiential exercises, and understand how it is applied in a group setting. But the best part is, I enjoyed every minute of it!

This is a wonderful book, both as a guide to clinicians who want to implement ACT for PTSD and as a general guide to understanding ACT and the underlying principles. The chapter on mindfulness is particularly helpful. The authors bring to this book a deep compassion, empathy and understanding of the difficulties of struggling with trauma, and where we as clinicians can get stuck in the process of using ACT to treat it.
The illustrations were also fantastic!!

Great book! I learned ACT several years ago and am now in a clinical position working exclusively with PTSD. This book is a great fusion.