Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: 100 Key Points and Techniques

Bennett and Oliver’s text provides the reader with 100 short chapters that explain Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for therapists. In the end, the reader receives a sort of “encyclopedia” of ACT that provides a brief overview of Behaviorism, Relational Frame Theory, case conceptualization, ACT models, techniques and interventions, structuring sessions, metaphors, information on how ACT views self-disclosure, and so much more. While brief, I found the text slightly more technical than material found in ACT Made Simple (Harris) or ACT Approach (Gordon/Borushok). Thus, I suspect this text bridges the gap between beginner and intermediate ACT, though these terms are ill-defined. Highly recommended!

Have read just about all act publications and this is the most precise with greatest scope and depth. Very practical and clearly spells out steps to take for teaching and learning skills. A simple but profound story about ACT theory and application based on considerable research. Flexible enough with some changes to fit with cognitive behavior theory and therapy. A great read and contains a mine of gold nuggets of powerful principles for prompting and reinforcing behaviors for well being and fulfillment for a life well lived. Will likely be a classic in the literature. The author practices what he preaches. Excellent job.

I wouldn’t recommend this as a first text for someone with no knowledge of ACT. But once you get the basics and are practicing, this would be a fabulous aid. I love how the authors explain so many concepts in such clear ways.

I've read a lot of beginning ACT books and I even wrote one (after I realized that the first ACT book was just too darned complex for many to start with). In my opinion, this is the best beginning ACT book available. It is simple and yet comprehensive. It rings true to the work on every page -- you will never be told something that is simplified to the point that it has to be taken back later. Even experienced ACT therapists will find it useful (I did). I highly recommend that you do what I myself did: just buy the book and read it.Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D.Originator and co-developer of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Relational Frame Theory.

Joe Oliver and Richard Bennett have been trainers and writers I have admired for a long time, and yet I'm still impressed with how they managed to bring together so much ACT knowledge into such a short understandable book. Covering theoretical base, core processes issues relating to therapeutic relationship, and more. It's all here, and yet it's not overwhelming.

After Steven Haye's review, i decided to bought the book and i couldn't agree more with his words. It's writing in a simple, easy and engaging way without neglecting or disrespecting the complexity of ACT. The authors nailed it! A book i will definitely recommend!