Innovations in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Acquired Brain Injury

Richard Coates works as a Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist in Independent Practice. He co-founded the Neuro-ACT Facebook group, which aims to connect clinicians and researchers worldwide using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with people with neurological conditions. Richard is engaged with ACT in many contexts: his work with clients, supervision, training, research, community and himself. Connection, creativity, learning and kindness matter to him.

• CHAPTER ONEACT resilience training in multiple sclerosis Kenneth I. Pakenham and Ambra Mara GiovannettiCHAPTER TWO“Rather than be in a cage, be in a cocoon”: A pilot yoga-Acceptance and Commitment Therapy group for people with Acquired Brain InjuryMairéad Jones, Jenn Galvin and Marcia WardCHAPTER THREEACT with older adults after stroke Ana Rita Silva, Paula Castilho and Sérgio A. CarvalhoCHAPTER FOURRelational approaches: ACT with female relatives of people with brain injury Jo JohnsonCHAPTER FIVEACTing through the stroke journey: Acute, inpatient and community rehabilitation from the perspective of a stroke survivor and two psychologistsLucy Martin, Marcia Ward and Fiadhnait O’ KeeffeCHAPTER SIXCreative interventions with ACT and severe brain injury Richard CoatesCHAPTER SEVENInforming therapeutic practice after a traumatic brain injury: Values identification and achievement during engagement in Acceptance andCommitment TherapyDiane Whiting, Grahame Simpson and Frank DeaneCHAPTER EIGHTLife asks you questions: Presence as process in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for adults with aphasiaFiona O’NeillCHAPTER NINEApplying the Relational Frame Theory account of the self to self-related issues following a traumatic brain injuryAlison Stapleton, Richard Coates, Fergus Gracey and Louise McHughCHAPTER TENEvaluating a novel, online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy intervention for allied healthcare professionals in a neurorehabilitation settingKaren Kinsella, Marcia Ward and Sharon Houghton

'Fresh, innovative and needed, this book brings you some of the best and most cutting-edge work on the application of the Psychological Flexibility Model and ACT to the problems of those with Acquired Brain Injury and related conditions. It’s not a cookbook – but more of an inspirational guide that asks you the clinician to explore, evolve and innovate by targeting evidence-based processes as way of rising to the unique challenges faced by ABI patients. These problems are hardly uncommon – it’s time to put clinical creativity into action in the field of neurorehabilitation. This book will help you do so. Highly recommended.'Steven C. Hayes, Foundation Professor of Psychology Emeritus, University of Nevada, Reno, Originator of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy'There are few life events more traumatic than a brain injury. For both client and therapist, the challenges are huge: stress, anxiety, trauma, grief, loss, threat to one’s identity, interpersonal issues ... and the list goes on. And it is no exaggeration to say that this book heralds a genuine revolution in the psychological treatment of brain injury. Within these pages you’ll find a wealth of innovative and practical tools, techniques and strategies to help brain-injured clients adapt to their challenges, handle their difficult thoughts and feelings more effectively, develop self-acceptance and self-compassion and build a meaningful life in the face of their loss.'Dr Russ Harris, Author of The Happiness Trap and ACT Made Simple