List of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Books (9+ Astounding Options)

By OptimistMinds
Page last updated: 21/08/2023 | Next review date: 21/08/2025

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The Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. Each article is written by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter.  The article then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.


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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (or ACT, pronounced as “act”) is an evidence based therapy that uses acceptance and mindful strategies with acceptance and behaviour change interventions to increase psychological flexibility. 

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is frequently employed in counselling and psychotherapy and has recently become very popular due to its high effectiveness. 

List of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Books

Below is a list of our recommended acceptance and commitment therapy books:

Whether one is generally curious to learn about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or wants to employ the many Acceptance and Therapy Techniques with their clients, the following list of the top 10 books will include something written specifically for each of you. 

The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living – Russ Harris

This book is written by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy trainer, Dr. Russ Harris, and is one of the most widely read books on the topic. 

The focus of the book is that the constant struggle for happiness can often lead to chronic unhappiness. It is written for the lay audience and is the quintessential self-help book. 

The book also teaches skills to aid in changing one’s mindset and is an excellent guide for anyone who wants to reduce unhelpful thoughts. 

Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life – Steven Hayes

This book is written by the founder of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dr. Steven Hayes. 

Dr Hayes notes that pain is an unavoidable part of life, and that one needs to accept it to live a rich meaningful life. 

The book is written in a format that is easily accessible, and Dr Hayes translates some of the complex Acceptance and Commitment Therapy terms into a language that is easy to understand. 

The book also consists of numerous exercises that one can use for themselves or for their clients. 

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Second Edition: The Process and Practice of Mindful Change – Steven Hayes, Kirk Strosahl, and Kelly Wilson

This is a popular textbook on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which is written by the founder Dr. Steven Hayes along with two colleagues.

It is often used in graduate schools and covers the theory and process of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in detail.

It is lengthy and detailed, and is highly recommended for people that are looking for an academic experience of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. 

ACT Made Simple, Second Edition: An Easy-to-Read Primer on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy – Russ Harris

This book is written by popular Acceptance and Commitment Therapy trainer Dr. Russ Harris. Even though this book is structured in the form of a textbook, it is easier to read than one. 

Dr. Harris breaks down the concepts in a way that is easy to understand, and includes tools that practitioners can employ with their clients. 

The book consists of strategies that are easy to implement and provides an academic as well as practical experience. 

The Big Book of ACT Metaphors: A Practitioner’s Guide to Experiential Exercises & Metaphors in Acceptance & Commitment Therapy – Jill Stoddard and Niloofar Afar

Metaphors are commonly used by Acceptance and Commitment therapy practitioners. They form an important part of the emotional experience and are powerful tools in therapy.

This book is a collection of metaphors used in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and can be read by ACT practitioners as well as practitioners of other forms of therapy aiming to expand their knowledge. 

This book is an excellent resource for therapists and provides an opportunity for one to expand their use and delivery of 

these powerful tools. 

ACT on Life Not on Anger: The New Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Guide to Problem Anger – Georg H. Eifert, John P. Forsyth, and Matthew McKay

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is commonly employed to manage anger and negative emotions. 

This book focuses on the different ways that one can start their journey on the path to acceptance and observe the feelings of anger without acting on them. 

The techniques and exercises given in this book have been found to be effective in anger management and gives one an academic and practical exposure. 

 Stress Less, Live More: How Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Can Help You Live a Busy Yet Balanced Life – Richard Blonna

Stress Less, Live More is a wonderful guide to learn to live a busy yet balanced life. 

It points out the ways our thoughts affect our ability to process stress, and teaches ways to counter that stress. 

The techniques and exercises are based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and are easy to understand and use for someone who has a lay person’s knowledge of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. 

Finding Life Beyond Trauma: Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Heal From Post-Traumatic Stress and Trauma-Related Problems – Jacqueline Pistorello and Victoria M. Follette

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is widely used in cases concerning trauma, and there is tremendous research on the same. 

Finding Life Beyond Trauma brings forth powerful techniques to help one approach and transform painful thoughts and feelings that arise from trauma.

 It also explains the concept of values and committed action, and how they can be used to live a meaningful life post a traumatic experience. 

This book shows you how to clarify your values, commit to actions that will express them, and start living in the present.

The Mindfulness & Acceptance Workbook for Anxiety: A Guide to Breaking Free From Anxiety, Phobias, and Worry Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy – Georg H. Eifert and John P. Forsyth

With the rise in anxiety and phobias, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy has come forth as a revolutionary intervention for anxiety disorders. 

This workbook provides tools, strategies and exercises to break free from one’s mind traps, and discover peace of mind in the midst of anxiety. 

It provides an interactive approach to empower oneself and break free from crippling anxiety. 

 

Learning to Thrive: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook – Giulia Suro

Learning to Thrive provides a practical and simple approach to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. 

It covers common concerns such as wellness, relationships and personal growth, and provides action-oriented solutions for the same. 

This book breaks down complex terms and provides straightforward exercises to bring positive changes in one’s life. 

List of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Self-Help Books:

Conclusions 

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is a fascinating and effective treatment for various types of life challenges and disorders. These books provide excellent material to jumpstart your learning process. 

FAQs: Acceptance and commitment therapy books

Which is the best selling Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Book?

The Happiness Trap by Dr. Russ Harris and Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life by Steven Hayes are two of the best selling books on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. 

Which is the simplest Acceptance and Commitment Therapy book to read?

The Happiness Trap by Dr. Russ Harris is one of the simplest Acceptance and Commitment Therapy books. It is written for a lay-person, the language is understandable and the terms are well-explained. 

Which are the best Acceptance and Commitment Therapy books for therapists?

ACT Made Simple by Dr. Russ Harris is a popular and easy to read book for therapists. It is a workbook which consists of various exercises and techniques, along with explanations as to when and how to employ them. 

Where can I order the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy books?

All of the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy books can be ordered on Amazon.in or on Kindle. 

Where can I read the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy books online?

The best way to read the books online would be to purchase a PDF version on Amazon.in or Google Books. 

References 

J, Schultz, 2021. 14 Must-Read Acceptance & Commitment Therapy Books. Retrieved from: https://positivepsychology.com/acceptance-and-commitment-therapy-books/

M, Boudin, 2021. 15 Best Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Books. Retrieved from: https://www.choosingtherapy.com/acceptance-commitment-therapy-books/

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