Mindfulness For Two An Acceptance and Commitment T

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Mindfulness for Two: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Approach to

Mindfulness in Psychotherapy
Book · July 2009
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Kelly G. Wilson
University of Mississippi
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Mindfulness for Two: An Acceptance
and Commitment Therapy Approach
to Mindfulness in Psychotherapy by
Kelly G. Wilson
Appreciating The Human Being In The Suffering
You can spend years in graduate school, internship, and clinical practice.
You can learn to skillfully conceptualize cases and structure interventions
for your clients. You can have every skill and advantage as a therapist, but
if you want to make the most of every session, both you and your client
need to show up in the therapy room. Really show up. And this kind of
mindful presence can be a lot harder than it sounds. Mindfulness for Two
is a practical and theoretical guide to the role mindfulness plays in
psychotherapy, specifically acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). In
the book, author Kelly Wilson carefully defines mindfulness from an ACT
perspective and explores its relationship to the six ACT processes an d to
the therapeutic relationship itself. With unprecedented clarity, he explains
the principles that anchor the ACT model to basic behavioral science. The
latter half of the book is a practical guide to observing and fostering
mindfulness in your clients and in yourself--good advice you can put to use
in your practice right away. Wilson, coauthor of the seminal Acceptance
and Commitment Therapy, guides you through this sometimes-challenging
material with the clarity, humor, and warmth for which he is known around
the world. More than any other resource available, Mindfulness for Two
gets at the heart of Wilsons unique brand of experiential ACT training. The
book includes a DVD-ROM with more than six hours of sample therapy
sessions with a variety of therapists on QuickTime video, DRM-free audio
tracks of Wilson leading guided mindfulness exercises, and more. Kelly
Wilson does a masterful job of framing the many different ways in which a
therapist grounded in mindfulness might skillfully nurture greater
awareness and self-knowing in his or her clients. His approach is a very
creative use of mindfulness within the dyadic relationship, both verbal and
non-verbal. Of course, it is impossible to engage authentically without
continually listening deeply to and learning from the myriad dyadic
relationships we have within ourselves, as he so aptly and honestly
recounts. This book makes a seminal contribution to the growing literature
on ACT and its interface with mindfulness theory and practice.
--Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of Full Catastrophe Living and Letting

Everything Become Your Teacher and coauthor of The Mindful Way
Through Depression This is a book of enormous breadth and depth, a
book full of wisdom from an internationally acclaimed clinician and
researcher. Wilson builds bridges between therapy traditions in a
wonderful way. For those who already teach mindfulness as part of their
therapy, this is a must-read. For those who have yet to do so, this book is
the best invitation possible.
--Mark Williams, professor of clinical psychology at the University of

Oxford and coauthor of The Mindful Way Through Depression There is a
tremendous change occurring in our collective thinking regarding
empirically supported interventions. Mindfulness for Two portends the
direction of this change, toward the idea that the scientist, therapist, and
client are motivated and affected by the same set of principles. Wilson and
DuFrene are insightful, emotionally honest, and pragmatic. This is a
refreshing and timely contribution to the therapy process.
--Thomas J. Dishion, Ph.D., director of the Child and Family Center and
professor of psychology and school psychology at the University of Oregon
As a clinical psychologist who applies mindfulness therapy to clients with
addictive behavior problems, I highly recommend Wilsons Mindfulness for
Two. As stated in the preface, `if youre offended by my speaking directly to
you, or if youre unwilling to sit with hard issues, both your own and your
clients, this book isnt for you. But if you want to know how to be more
mindful in therapy practice and learn how to help your clients be more
aware in the present moment, this book is definitely for you.
--G. Alan Marlatt, Ph.D., professor of psychology and director of the
Addictive Behaviors Research Center at the University of Washington
Wilson and DuFrene have provided therapists with the clearest
understanding of ACT and mindfulness that I have encountered. They
explain the basic theory of emotions and human learning in simple, clear,
and understandable prose. Also, I found this book rich in philosophical
insights concerning the human condition. Their models of assessment and
intervention flow from this basic knowledge and philosophy. This work will
help all therapists see a new way to understand and assess their clients
suffering and potential for improving their lives. They will also learn to
construct treatment plans to make such a transition.
--Raymond DiGiuseppe, Ph.D., ABPP, professor and chair of the

department of psychology at St. Johns University This book provides the
clearest description Ive seen of how understanding both mindfulness and
behavior analysis contributes to effective therapy. It also provides unique,
creative, and powerful exercises to help therapists cultivate mindful
awareness of their interactions with their clients to create life-changing
conversations.
--Ruth A. Baer, professor of psychology at the University of Kentucky In

this book, Wilson, an internationally respected therapis t, provides an
outstanding and innovative overview of new trends in behavior therapy and
mindfulness. He shares his insights into the complexities of what happens
when we try to use our own minds to heal the minds of others. Beautifully
written, clear, and bristling with wisdom from a very experienced therapist,
this gem of a book will be a pleasure to read and a source for much
reflection and learning.
--Paul Gilbert, author of Overcoming Depression and The Compassionate

Mind This is an extraordinary book. Wilson speaks to the reader directly
and honestly. He uses not only state-of-the-art scientific research but also
his own most intimate personal experiences, his considerable clinical
wisdom, and even great poetry to explain some of the most technica l
concepts in modern behavior analysis. Mindfulness for Two is a must-read
for both novice clinicians seeking an introductory treatment of modern
behavior analytic psychotherapy and for seasoned clinicians who wish to
deepen their understanding and skills.
--James D. Herbert, Ph.D., professor of psychology and associate dean

of the College of Arts and Sciences at Drexel University
Personal Review: Mindfulness for Two: An Acceptance and

Commitment Therapy Approach to Mindfulness in
Psychotherapy by Kelly G. Wilson
I received an advanced copy of Mindfulness for Two, and it was a pleasure
to read. I think it addresses the process of the therapist more deeply than
any ACT book before it, and perhaps better than any clinical book I've
read. I was really moved by the first chapter, "Coming Face to Face with
the Human Condition," which acknowledges the ubiquity of human
suffering and encourages the reader to embrace it, rather than reject it, in
the service of being more closely connected to our therapy clients. There I
was choking up while reading it on the elliptical machine at the gym. Not
my favorite place for tears!
More than anything it's gotten me to pay attention to two things: the
moment to moment processes of my clients in session (the pitch, tone, and
pace, as Wilson says) and my own moment to moment processes. I think
I've always been very good at recognizing and making good use of what
my psychodynamic training called "countertransference" (which for me is
defined broadly as any of my reactions in therapy), but Wils on has added a
great new set of tools and conceptualizations for being right there with it
and listening to it without necessarily responding. I have found myself
more free in sessions to notice my immediate urges to act or not act, my
own fusion, my own values, etc. At the same time, I've been far more
acutely aware of my clients' facial expressions, tone of voice, etc., and I've
been able to bring that noticing right into my work in the present moment
with people. More and more I'm stopping and saying, "What just went on
there?" I'm also more grounded in what it means to be "under
aversive control" (a behavioral conception of when fear is running the
show), not just intellectually, but also experientially. I can feel it in sessions
as aversive control shows up, both for myself and for clients. Totally cool.
In session, I've begun to notice things like the conceptualized self (in
particular) that have escaped me in the past doing ACT work. I think I'm
much more aware of the fine details of fusion, avoidanc e, conceptualized
self, etc., in the moment to moment.
It is a great resource. I would highly recommend it to any one interested in

ACT or better understanding the therapeutic relationship.
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See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

Mindfulness for Two: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Approach to

Book · July 2009

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

Appreciating The Human Being In The Suffering

--Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of Full Catastrophe Living and Letting

--Mark Williams, professor of clinical psychology at the University of

--Raymond DiGiuseppe, Ph.D., ABPP, professor and chair of the

--Ruth A. Baer, professor of psychology at the University of Kentucky In

--Paul Gilbert, author of Overcoming Depression and The Compassionate

--James D. Herbert, Ph.D., professor of psychology and associate dean

Personal Review: Mindfulness for Two: An Acceptance and

It is a great resource. I would highly recommend it to any one interested in

For More 5 Star Customer Reviews and Lowest Price:

View publication stats

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