One of the best ACT books isn't an ACT book at all. . .
Emotion Focusing
Many people familiar with ACT see ACT concepts everywhere, from song lyrics, to movies, to street signs. And if you’re a clinician, no doubt you’ve seen ACT concepts in other psychotherapeutic, spiritual, and contemplative traditions.
The processes of ACT that we call Psychological Flexibility have long been components of other psychotherapies and methods. What sets ACT apart is that the six core components have been put together in a particular way, as well as the evolutionary and behavioral roots, RFT, and the robust research that has been conducted.
All this leads me to say, that one of the best ACT books out there for acceptance, present moment contact, and self-as-context isn’t an ACT book at all, but a book on Emotion Focusing, called Focusing in Clinical Practice: The Essence of Change by Ann Weiser Cornell
If you are not familiar with Emotion Focusing, it is a technique developed by philosopher Eugene T. Gendlin, who made the leap to practicing psychotherapy after studying under Carl Rogers.
Gendlin’s approach relies on staying with a “felt sense” as experientially as possible. From an emotion focusing perspective, clear labels and descriptions of what you are feeling are actually a sign that you are experiencing it too cognitively. Perhaps we should struggle to describe our feelings since they are beyond words to begin with.
Emotion Focusing aligns well with ACT and this book even gives ACT a shoutout. If you are an ACT clinician and you have ever struggled with acceptance, present moment contact, or self-as-context, this book is worth a read.
Gendlin also said one of my favorite quotes of all time:
“What might it be that points ‘toward more life’? It might be to let oneself have feelings. . . or to assert one’s own perceptions. . . It might be to say something one has long felt but not said. It might be to permit oneself to feel a little bit of hope. . .”
~ Eugene T. Gendlin
Submitted for your approval,
Jacob Martinez // Through the ACT Matrix
P.S.
I have a 2-hour webinar coming up in about a month through eCare Behavioral Health Institute on some advanced applications of the ACT Matrix. CEUs available.
This training will go over a few main things:
How to use the lines (two distinctions) of the matrix rather than just the four boxes, to promote present moment contact.
How to promote self-compassion with the Survival-Vital Matrix
How to clarify values with the matrix.