A clinician's guide to the craft of ACT
The Subtle Essence of ACT
Beyond Techniques: Embodying Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Clinical Practice
The work of ACT lives in the moment: in a pause, a shift in posture, a held breath, or a word that opens a new possibility. This book invites clinicians to notice what behavior is doing in context and respond with greater clarity, flexibility, and care.
By Todd J. Schmenk, MS, MEd, LMHC
With a foreword by Steven C. Hayes, PhD
Foreword by Steven C. Hayes
Foundation Professor of Psychology Emeritus · University of Nevada, Reno
Published by RIACT Press
Move beyond knowing the model.
Learn to recognize what is happening in the room, what your own behavior is evoking, and how to meet this person in this moment.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is often introduced through memorable metaphors, exercises, and the six core processes. Those tools can be useful. Their impact depends on how they function for a particular person, in a particular context.
The Subtle Essence of ACT helps clinicians look beneath the technique. Grounded in Functional Contextualism and Relational Frame Theory, it brings attention to the small, often quiet events that shape clinical work: silence, timing, language, therapist presence, and the changing pattern of a conversation.
Through practical examples and reflection, Todd Schmenk invites you to become more responsive without losing your own voice. The aim is a practice guided by function, context, and what matters to the person in front of you.
Steven C. Hayes
“Todd knows this in his bones.
He sees through what is
superficially evident.”
Kirk D. Strosahl, PhD
“An absolute treasure trove of clinical wisdom that is both practical and completely accessible.”
Patti Robinson, PhD
“Move your practice of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy from competence to artistry—and enjoy the process.”
INSIDE THE BOOK
From seeing more clearly to practicing with presence.
Four parts follow a clinician's path from understanding behavior in context to bringing that understanding into therapy, supervision, and continued practice.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Todd J. Schmenk
Clinician, supervisor, educator, and ACT trainer.
“The art is in the moment.”
The book grew from Todd's interest in helping clinicians see how change unfolds through the interaction between client, therapist, and context.
Todd J. Schmenk, MS, MEd, LMHC, is a licensed mental health counselor, clinical supervisor, educator, and Association for Contextual Behavioral Science Peer-Reviewed ACT Trainer. His work is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Functional Contextualism, and Relational Frame Theory.
He is the founder and director of RIACT, the Relational Institute of Applied Contextual Therapies, where he develops training, supervision, residency experiences, and educational resources for clinicians. Todd also teaches and supervises developing clinicians and hosts the Deeply Functional podcast.
Publisher
RIACT Press
E-book ISBN
978-1-7340563-3-4
Paperback
ISBN978-1-7340563-2-7
Format
Paperback and e-book