Steven Hayes, a professor of psychology and the founder of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), dives deep into the misconceptions surrounding traditional mental health treatments. He highlights that confronting difficult thoughts instead of avoiding them can lead to greater psychological flexibility. Hayes critiques the over-reliance on pharmaceuticals, advocating for holistic approaches. He emphasizes the power of acceptance in personal growth and how fostering self-awareness can transform relationships and help individuals navigate life's challenges effectively.
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Pharmaceutical Approach to Mental Illness
Doctors prescribe drugs for mental illness based on a biomedical model.
This model assumes an underlying disease, often genetic, targeted by specific drugs.
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Freudian Talk Therapy
Freud's talk therapy aimed to resolve mental illness by uncovering underlying issues.
He used a pseudo-neurological metaphor but lacked scientific principles of behavior.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT aims to identify, challenge, and change maladaptive thinking patterns.
It uses behavioral techniques and cognitive restructuring.
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Steven Hayes' "The Liberated Mind" offers a comprehensive guide to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). It explores the nature of psychological suffering and introduces practical techniques to manage difficult emotions and thoughts. The book emphasizes the importance of accepting inner experiences rather than fighting them, and it guides readers toward living a more values-driven life. Hayes draws on his extensive clinical experience to illustrate ACT principles and provide actionable strategies for personal growth. The book is widely regarded as a seminal work in the field of ACT and has helped countless individuals improve their mental well-being.
Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life
The New Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Steven C. Hayes
Spencer Smith
This book introduces Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a scientifically based psychotherapy that focuses on why humans suffer and what it means to be mentally healthy. It explains that pain is an inevitable part of life, but trying to avoid or control painful experiences can lead to suffering and long-term problems. ACT encourages developing a willingness to accept all experiences, practicing mindfulness, and committing to actions that align with personal values. The book is designed to help readers overcome issues such as anxiety, depression, and problem anger by adopting a more accepting and values-driven approach to life[1][3][5].
When most of us run into obstacles with how we think and approach the world -- whether in terms of dealing with mental health issues like depression and anxiety or simply making progress with our relationships and work, we typically try to focus in on solving the perceived problem, or we run away from it. In either case, instead of feeling better, we feel more stuck.
My guest today says we need to free ourselves from these instincts and our default mental programming and learn to just sit with our thoughts, and even turn towards those which hurt the most. His name is Steven Hayes and he's a professor of psychology, the founder of ACT -- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy -- and the author of over 40 books, including his latest A Liberated Mind: How to Pivot Toward What Matters. Steven and I spend the first part of our conversation in a very interesting discussion as to why traditional interventions for depression and anxiety -- drugs and talk therapy -- aren't very effective in helping people get their minds right, and how ACT takes a different approach to achieving mental health. We then discuss the six skills of psychological flexibility that undergird ACT and how these skills can be used not only by those dealing with depression and anxiety but by anyone who wants to get out of their own way and show up and move forward in every area of their lives.
The Art of Manliness 
