Kevin L. Polk (Author)
Kevin L. Polk, PhD, is a clinical psychologist who has been
a practicing for twenty-three years, primarily helping veterans and
others with troubling trauma memories. For the past eight years, he
has dedicated himself to the study of acceptance and commitment
therapy (ACT), spending close to 20,000 hours studying the
philosophy and theory behind ACT, and learning and designing ACT
interventions. He is a peer-reviewed ACT trainer who is passionate
about teaching others how to use the matrix to increase
psychological flexibility and valued living. Find out more at
www.drkevinpolk.com.
Benjamin Schoendorff (Author)
Benjamin Schoendorff, MA, MSc, is a clinical psychologist
with a passion for disseminating contextual psychotherapies. He is
the author of two French language books, an ACT self-help book, and
a clinician's manual based on the matrix diagram. A peer-reviewed
acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) trainer, he leads
international workshops on integrating ACT and relationship-focused
functional analytic psychotherapy through the use of the
Matrix.
Mark Webster (Author)
Mark Webster is a registered psychotherapist with the United
Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). Following a first career
in the computer industry, he worked for ten years at a specialist
personality disorder clinic in the National Health Service (NHS).
His involvement in third-wave cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
began with dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in 1997, which led to
an early interest in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
Webster has been an ACT trainer since 2002 and currently runs his
own business specializing in acceptance and mindfulness therapies.
In 2005, he founded the ACT special interest group within the
British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies
(BABCP). In 2008, with Kevin Polk he created the ACT Matrix, a very
user-friendly way of delivering ACT in a group setting. Webster's
main interest is in finding ways to make ACT more widely available
outside of traditional mental health settings. He has recently
founded a community interest company called ACT Peer Recovery CIC
to develop peer recovery in addiction and mental health. In
addition to offering training in mental health, he regularly
conducts ACT workshops for physical health practitioners, including
nurses, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists. Webster has
been practicing mindfulness for over twenty-five years and is
current chair of the UKCP's Cognitive Psychotherapies College.
Fabian O. Olaz (Author)
Fabian Olaz, PsyD, is adjunct professor in clinical
psychology and psychotherapies, and researcher and director of the
Interpersonal Behavior Laboratory in the Faculty of Psychology,
University of Córdoba (Argentina). He is an acceptance and
commitment therapy (ACT) and functional analytic psychotherapy
supervisor and psychotherapist at the Integral Center of Contextual
Psychotherapy (CIPCO), and a recognized trainer in Argentina,
Brazil and other South American countries.
"For newcomers to ACT or experienced ACT clinicians, this is a
much-needed, step-by-step guide to using the Matrix in
psychotherapeutic sessions. It places this effective tool right at
the heart of the clinical dialogue orienting client's behavioral
change. Focused on daily clinical practice, it also illustrates how
relational frame theory (RFT), the contextual behavioral approach
to understanding human cognition that underlies ACT, can help
progressively build better clinical skills and be more helpful to
the client. It also extends the application of the Matrix to work
with parents and children, couples, and in life coaching. What more
could you ask for?"
--Giovambattista Presti, MD, PhD, associate professor of
psychology, and coordinator of the undergraduate program in
psychology at Kore University of Enna in Italy
"Tender, yet funny, this book is on the cutting edge of ACT.
Offering page after page of practical interventions, newcomers will
be presented with a clear frame of reference for doing ACT, and
seasoned ACT practitioners will be exposed to fresh material that
will excite and invigorate their practice. The six steps presented
by the authors are simple, fun, easy to read, and always relevant
to working directly with clients. This is my new clinical guide to
doing ACT for my students."
--Timothy Gordon MSW, RSW, treats attachment and trauma in
independent practice in Hamilton, ON, Canada; teaches ACT at
McMaster University in the Clinical Behavioural Sciences program;
presents workshops around the world; and is renowned for his
passion as a presenter, and his experiential approach to training
professionals
"The Matrix is a profoundly useful approach for teaching
psychological flexibility. Simple and direct, it focuses on the
most important dimensions in a way that cuts through the conceptual
clutter--for ACT therapists and clients alike. Let me say it this
way: if you care about ACT, you have to know the Matrix. It's not
optional. And this is the best book yet for learning exactly what
it is and how to use it. Highly recommended."
--Steven C. Hayes, PhD, codeveloper of acceptance and commitment
therapy (ACT)
"This book is the ultimate tool for training psychological
flexibility in six basic but sophisticated steps. Clear guidelines
are provided for practicing the ACT Matrix, present-moment and
therapeutic relationship-focused clinical work, getting unstuck,
sharing your own Matrix with clients, and going deeper with each
step. Indispensable for anyone interested in delving more deeply
into a functional contextual perspective, this volume can help
clinicians do transformational work with individuals, couples, and
families."
--Mavis Tsai, PhD, cocreator of functional analytic psychotherapy
(FAP), and research scientist and clinical faculty at the
University of Washington
"This lively and engaging book provides the most comprehensive,
accessible, and practical guide yet to the Matrix model in everyday
clinical work. Step by step, the authors present clear and useful
examples of how the Matrix can increase awareness, psychological
flexibility, and vitality in adult individuals, couples, and
children. The Essential Guide to the ACT Matrix is just that;
essential for anyone wishing to understand how to utilize, and even
enjoy, this powerful new clinical tool with their clients."
--Christopher McCurry, PhD, clinical child psychologist in private
practice, and author of Parenting Your Anxious Child With
Mindfulness and Acceptance and Working with Parents of Anxious
Children
"Whether you are new to ACT or experienced, you will find real
clinical value in this book. As with the Matrix itself, there is
nothing extraneous. Everything in it serves the clinician, and by
extension the client, in psychotherapy. The writing is engaging and
practical. The guidance is clear. The organization of the book is
logical. Most compellingly, you will feel immersed in the authors'
clinical wisdom and compassion."
--Gareth Holman, PhD, coauthor of Functional Analytic Psychotherapy
Made Simple
"Written in a skillful and highly readable fashion, this volume
stands out as a valuable contribution to ACT practitioners looking
for a structured, yet flexible, guide for doing brief and effective
interventions. The authors have succeeded in providing a manual
suitable for private practice, institutional work, and
interdisciplinary integration."
--Michel. A. Reyes Ortega, PhD, director of the Contextual
Behavioral Science and Therapy Institute in Mexico City, Mexico;
and clinical professor of clinical behavior analysis at the
National Institute of Psychiatry in Mexico City
Ask a Question About this Product More... |