Books and Research

Books

New! The Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Skills Workbook


This workbook introduces core ACT techniques and will teach you essential skills such as:



Presented in a highly accessible, "dip in, dip out" format, this workbook allows you to jump straight to what you need, when you need it. If you're ready to transform your life and make lasting positive change, the evidence-based skills in this workbook can help you get started on the path to healing.

The reviews are in for the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook!

“Less than a chapter in, I already knew I’d be recommending this book to all my therapy clients. I have read a LOT of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) workbooks in my over twenty years as an ACT practitioner, and this is one of the very best. A must-have for anyone looking to practice cultivating psychological flexibility skills for a well-lived life.” 

—Jill Stoddard, PhD, coauthor of The Big Book of ACT Metaphors

“The Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Skills Workbook is a superb guide to building a better life. With a compassionate, wise, and easy-to-understand writing style, the authors introduce you to a wide range of powerful tools and strategies that can help just about anyone to reduce suffering and make life richer and fuller. Highly recommended!” 

—Russ Harris, author of The Happiness Trap and ACT Made Simple

“This is an excellent resource for the many professionals who work in primary care and general practice clinics. So many people come to their doctors with emotional pain, and this book can help them and their behavioral health teammates recognize and address that pain. So, if you have emotional pain, read this book and tell your doctor! Thanks, Matt and Jen, for a concise and powerful book that can alleviate suffering at many levels.” 

—Patricia Robinson, PhD, president of Mountainview Consulting Group, and author of Behavioral Consultation and Primary Care

“If you were going to buy just one book to help you flourish both on the inside and the outside, The Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Skills Workbook would be it! Beautifully written in a humble, straightforward way, this book is chock-full of practical ideas and personal growth exercises that will carry you through life’s ups and downs. Take this gift home with you and unwrap it into your life!” 

—Kirk D. Strosahl, PhD, coauthor of The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Depression

“‘It’s kinda lovely here.’ Join the authors as they help you embrace your humanity, face struggles, and live according to what matters to you. This book gives you the best evidence-based strategies to travel along the valued life journey. It’s practical and written by folks who are the real deal. They’ve helped thousands of people and found their way through their own struggles to a life lived well.” 

—Louise Hayes, author of What Makes You Stronger and Your Life Your Way; developer of DNA-V; and clinical psychologist and adjunct senior research fellow at La Trobe University, Melbourne

“Boone and Gregg have created a really accessible, transdiagnostic self-help workbook grounded in ACT. It offers practical guidance to address a range of emotional struggles, helping you cultivate mindfulness, embrace your values, and navigate life’s challenges with greater resilience. With a gentle and compassionate approach, this book serves as a beacon for those seeking a more meaningful and authentic life.” 

—Kelly G. Wilson, professor emeritus at the University of Mississippi, and author of Mindfulness for Two and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Stop Avoiding Stuff: 25 Microskills to Face Your Fears & Do It Anyway


Drawing on evidence-based acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), this accessible guide offers 25 microskills to help you face your fears so you can live a truly courageous and meaningful life. With this book, you’ll learn:

  

We are hardwired to avoid, control, and escape the stuff that makes us uncomfortable. But if you’re ready to stop living scared, the tips and tools in this little book will help you pivot back to what really matters to you.



The Diabetes Lifestyle Book

You’ve been diagnosed with diabetes. Now what? Your doctor has given you directions on what you can do to control your blood sugar. Now you need to find a way to commit to smart choices for better health. And you need to deal with some uncomfortable feelings that might arise in the process. This book offers a powerful and proven new approach that can help you make it happen.

Based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), a bold new direction in psychology, these techniques will attempt to help you move past cravings, find motivation to exercise, and manage anxiety that you might feel when you test your blood sugar level. You’ll learn how to embrace the changes you’ll need to make in order to jumpstart your new, healthful lifestyle.


Research

 

Selected conference and journal, and book chapter projects from last 10 years

 

Brock, M., & Gregg, J. A. (2019, July). Living fully in the context of death and loss. The Association for Contextual Behavioral Sciences World Conference. Dublin, Ireland.

 

Snycerski, S., Laraway, S., Gregg, J., Capriotti, M., & Callaghan, G. M. (2018). Implications of Behavioral Narratology for Psychotherapy, Help-Seeking Behavior, and Substance Use. Perspectives on Behavior Science, 41(2), 517-540.


Brock, M., & Gregg, J. A. (2018, July). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Challenging Contexts: Loss, End of Life, and Bereavement. The Association for Contextual Behavioral Sciences World Conference. Montreal, Canada.

 

Kasl-Godley, J., Gregg, J. A., & Shumay, D. (2017, September). Reconceptualizing the nature of suffering in advanced disease. CSU Institute for Palliative Care National Symposium for Academic Palliative Care Education and Research. San Diego.

  

White, R. G., Gregg, J., Batten, S., Hayes, L. L., & Kasujja, R. (2017). Contextual Behavioral Science and Global Mental Health: Synergies and opportunities. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 6(3), 245-251.


Shumay, D., Rost, A., & Gregg, J. A. (2016, July). Using ACT to increase psychological flexiblity in cancer patients and survivors. Association for Contextual Behavioral Science. Seattle, WA.


Gregg, J. A., Lillis, J., & Schmidt, E. M. (2015). A functional contextual approach to obesity and related problems. Current Opinion in Psychology, 2, 82-86.

 

Gregg, J. A. (2014, June). ACT Applications for Cancer Treatment. Association for Contextual Behavioral Sciences World Conference. Minneapolis, MN.


Borovska, S., Dunn, L. B., Gregg, J. A., & Shumay, D. (2014, February). Helping Cancer Survivors Move Beyond Fear: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Concepts, Skills and Research Strategies. American Psycho-Oncology Society. Tampa, FL.


Gregg, J. A., Namekata, M. S., Louie, W. A., & Chancellor-Freeland, C. (2014). Impact of values clarification on cortisol reactivity to an acute stressor. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 3(4), 299-304.


Gregg, J. A. (2013, July). Contextual Behavioral Science in Behavioral Medicine. Presentation at Association for Contextual Behavioral Sciences World Conference. Sydney, Australia.

 

Gregg, J. A. (2013, July). Living from Inside the Skin: Psychological Flexibility and Physical Self Care. Association for Contextual Behavioral Science. Sydney, Australia.


Gregg, J.A. (2013). Self-Acceptance and Chronic Illness. In Bernard, M.E. (Ed) The

strength of self-acceptance: Theory, research, and practice. New York: Springer.

 

Dahl, J., Gregg, J. A., & Lillis, J. (2012, July). Acceptance and Values in Behavioral Medicine. Presentation at the Association for Contextual Behavioral Sciences World Conference. Washington, DC.

 

Gregg, J. A. (2011, October). ACT for Reluctant and Resistant Patients - building motivation, moving toward. Invited Presentation at the 5th Annual Australia New Zealand Contextual Behavioral Sciences Conference. Brisbane, Australia.

 

Gregg, J.A., Almada, P., & Schmidt, E. (2011). Health behavior problems in diabetes, obesity, and secondary prevention. In McCracken, L. (Ed.) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Approaches in Behavioral Medicine: An Integrative Clinical and Research Guide. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Press.

 

Gregg, J. A. (2011, October). ACT with chronic and terminal medical conditions: Working with shame, stigma, "willpower"; building valued actions. Invited Presentation at the 5th Annual Australia New Zealand Contextual Behavioral Sciences Conference. Brisbane, Australia.