The creator of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dr. Steven C. Hayes, joins the show to help us explore how to use techniques from this powerful approach to therapy to address major challenges and improve our wellbeing.About our Guest: Dr. Steven C. Hayes is Nevada Foundation Professor in the Behavior Analysis program at the Department of Psychology of the University of Nevada. He's the creator of ACT, and the  author of 44 books and over 600 scientific articles. His most recent book is A Liberated Mind: How To Pivot Toward What Matters, an essential guide to ACT. Life After COVID Summit: Join Dr. Rick Hanson, Forrest Hanson, and a roster of world-class experts including Dr. Hayes during this FREE three-day online event to explore our life after COVID. Click here to learn more about the Summit and register now.Key Topics:2:25: The basics of ACT.5:30: The Lord of the Rings and psychological flexibility.7:15: Accepting our own history. 10:45: How can we accept painful things?13:45: Language, technology, and how it gets in the way.18:00: Coming into the present moment.21:00: Determinism, autonomy, and agency.26:30: How can we make change last?29:30: Steven’s experience with accepting tinnitus. 34:45: How to keep growing when the world pushes back.45:30: Giving people an opportunity to impress you.49:00: Dealing with anger. 53:30: Pitfalls while using ACT. 56:10: RecapForrest has a new YouTube channel! Subscribe to the channel, and watch his newest video over there. Sponsors:From Dr. Hanson: The Foundations of Well-Being brings together the lessons of a lifetime of practice into one year-long online program. Podcast listeners can use the code BEINGWELL25 at checkout for an additional 25% off! Please don't hesitate to apply for a scholarship if you're in need. Join over a million people using BetterHelp, the world’s largest online counseling platform. Visit betterhelp.com/beingwell for 10% off your first month! Want to sleep better? Try the legendary Calm app! Visit calm.com/beingwell for 40% off a premium subscription.Connect with the show: Follow Forrest on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Subscribe on iTunes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steven C. Hayes, psychotherapist and creator of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), discusses his journey and the development of ACT. He emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to self-improvement and shares his reflections on teaching, embracing difficult emotions, and the pursuit of success. The podcast explores the philosophy and tools behind transformation, explains ACT and psychological flexibility, and discusses living a life of significance through care, love, and connection.

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.

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Steven C. Hayes, a pioneer in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), shares insights from his extensive work in psychology and his latest book, The Liberated Mind. He delves into the intriguing concept of psychological flexibility, which emphasizes embracing challenging thoughts while steering actions based on personal values. Alongside Dr. Jill Levitt, they explore how emotions like anxiety and depression can reveal core values, the importance of self-acceptance, and the power of humor and creativity in transforming mental health perspectives.

Steven C. Hayes, a clinical psychologist, discusses the concepts of psychological flexibility and acceptance and commitment therapy in negotiation and meaningful conversations. Topics include self-awareness, empathy, compassion, emotional openness, and the role of personal growth in successful negotiations.