Product Description

New Directions in the Treatment of PTSD

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) offers a promising, empirically validated approach to the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma related problems. In this volume, you'll find a complete theoretical and practical guide to making this revolutionary new model work in your practice.

After a quick overview of PTSD, the first part of the book explains the problem of experiential avoidance as it relates to trauma and explores the verbal nature of post-traumatic stress. You'll learn the importance of mindfulness and acceptance in the ACT model, find out how to structure sessions with your clients, and examine the problem of control. The section concludes by introducing you to the idea of creative hopelessness as the starting point for creating a new, workable life after trauma.

The book's second section offers a practical, step-by-step clinical guide to the six core ACT components in chronological order:
• Creative hopelessness
• The problem of control
• Willingness and defusion
• Self-as-context
• Valued living
• Committed action

Each chapter explains how to introduce these topics to clients suffering from PTSD, illustrates each with case examples, and offers homework for your clients to use between sessions.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #77070 in Books
• Published on: 2007-06
• Format: Bargain Price
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 255 pages

From the Publisher
An indispensable resource for mental health professionals, this book offers a practical and accessible yet theoretically complete approach to using the principles of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and acute trauma-related symptoms.

From the Inside Flap
This outstanding book offers clinicians a clear understanding of the traps of language and the paradoxical implications of trying to control our internal experiences. The authors bring years of experience working with survivors of trauma and a comprehensive grasp of their topic to this lucid explanation of acceptance and commitment therapy. Each of the treatment components is presented clearly and succinctly, yet integrated into a comprehensive whole. Illustrative case examples and session transcripts offer a vivid picture of the ACT approach. --Chad LeJeune, Ph.D., author of The Worry Trap: How to Free Yourself from Worry and Anxiety Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

About the Author
Robyn D. Walser, Ph.D., is a psychologist at the National Center for PTSD, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System and she works as a consultant, workshop presenter and therapist in her private business, TLConsultation Services. Walser received her degree in clinical psychology from the University of Nevada-Reno. She has expertise in traumatic stress, substance abuse, and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). She has been doing ACT workshop trainings both nationally and internationally since 1998; training in multiple formats and for multiple client problems. Walser continues to investigate the use of mindfulness and ACT in trauma populations. In addition, she has a private practice that includes consultation and workshop services plus psychotherapy. (robyn.walser@sbcglobal.net)

Darrah Westrup, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist living and working in the San Francisco Bay Area. She received her degree from West Virginia University and completed two years additional training in behavioral medicine at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University Medical Center. She is currently working as attending in the Women's Trauma Recovery Program at the National Center for PTSD, and is the program director of the Women's Mental Health Center, VA Palo Alto Health Care System. Westrup also maintains a private practice based in Menlo Park, CA. She has clinical and research expertise in the areas of PTSD, substance abuse, stalking behavior, and experiential avoidance as it relates to psychological dysfunction.

Customer Reviews

Great book on trauma treatment and ACT in general
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.

Expert Guidance for Clinicians!
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!

An outstanding resource for clinicians who work with trauma
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