ACT-Informed Exposure for Anxiety

“Exposure-based treatments are some of the most effective, but still poorly understood, clinical strategies for anxiety problems. This book is an important step forward by embracing a process-based perspective and linking it to acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). It is an intelligent and thoughtful integration, providing clear recommendations for improving treatment. I highly recommend this book.”
—Stefan G. Hofmann, PhD, Alexander von Humboldt Professor at the Philipps University of Marburg, and author of The Anxiety Skills Workbook and CBT for Social Anxiety ~Stefan G. Hofmann, PhD

“In this book, Thompson, Pilecki, and Chan articulate the core principles of ACT-informed exposure as clearly and accessibly as I have ever read. The content is comprehensive—even discussing cultural considerations—making the book an essential resource for any clinician doing exposures with their clients. Even if you’re already doing ACT-based exposures, you will still learn something new from the authors’ masterful dissection of this approach.”
—Clarissa Ong, PhD, assistant professor at the University of Toledo, and coauthor of The Anxious Perfectionist ~Clarissa Ong, PhD

“Pairing decades of strong efficacy data for exposure therapy with the strengths of ACT to build willingness and cognitive flexibility—this book is the perfect pairing of both! The book contains ‘how to’ pointers for developing therapists and real-world problem-solving for experienced therapists. It’s for the exposure therapist who wants to better help clients choose to engage and cultivate new learning. It’s for the ACT therapist who wants to better harness the power of exposure.”
—Lori Zoellner, PhD, director of the Center for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress, and professor of psychology at the University of Washington; and coeditor of Facilitating Resilience and Recovery After Trauma ~Lori Zoellner, PhD

“If you work with anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or trauma, you should read this book. ACT-informed exposures will enrich your practice and provide you with useful case conceptualizations and treatment moves.”
—Michael Twohig, PhD, professor, and coauthor of The Anxious Perfectionist ~Michael Twohig, PhD

“Evidence-based treatment for anxiety emphasizes exposure. However, this treatment is a challenge for even the most seasoned clinician to carry out. ACT-Informed Exposure for Anxiety reframes exposure through a lens that is accessible to clinicians, and eases their own apprehensions about the method while also presenting a highly contemporary treatment method in a digestible way. It is sure to be an indispensable guide for therapists of all levels.”
—Dean McKay, PhD, ABPP, professor of psychology at Fordham University; and past president of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, and the Society for a Science of Clinical Psychology ~Dean McKay, PhD, ABPP

“Always a champion of emphasizing the work of exposure in ACT, I am delighted to highly recommend ACT-Informed Exposure for Anxiety. This book is ideal for therapists wishing to provide an effective and excellent intervention for their anxious clients. Authors Brian Thompson, Brian Pilecki, and Joanne Chan guide therapists in implementing exposure—tucked inside of willingness linked to values—in their process and the clients’ process in a straightforward and implementable way. A must for therapists.”
—Robyn D. Walser, PhD, licensed clinical psychologist; author of The Heart of ACT; and coauthor of Learning ACT, The Mindful Couple, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Trauma-Related Problems, and The ACT Workbook for Anger ~Robyn D. Walser, PhD

“ACT-Informed Exposure for Anxiety by Thompson, Pilecki, and Chan is an excellent, well-researched, and comprehensive guide to process-based exposure. This is more than a handbook on integrating ACT with exposure and response prevention (ERP)—it demystifies how to conduct exposure founded in basic principles of fear acquisition and applied behavior analysis (ABA). Thank goodness these stellar clinicians and researchers put in the hard work to write this for us. It will be a go-to guide for all clinicians who treat anxiety disorders and OCD.”
—Lisa Coyne, clinical psychologist, founding director of the New England Center for OCD and Anxiety, and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School/Mclean ~Lisa Coyne

“When we are willing to open up to our anxieties and fears, we gain the space and freedom needed to live our lives in line with what we care about. There is no shortcutting this process. Yet, inside ACT, we do this ‘exposure’ work in the service of helping our clients live well when faced with life’s inevitable obstacles, problems, and pain. In the process, your clients learn to cultivate a new relationship with their anxieties and fears, and hence regain control over their lives. This gentle and wise guide will show you how to do just that. A must-read for all mental health professionals interested in ACT, including those who wish to learn how to do process-based exposure work.”
—John P. Forsyth, PhD, professor of psychology, and director of the Anxiety Disorders Research Program at the University at Albany, SUNY; clinical psychologist; ACT researcher, trainer, and clinical supervisor; and coauthor of The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Anxiety and Anxiety Happens ~John P. Forsyth, PhD