What Makes You Stronger: How to Thrive in the Face of Change and Uncertainty Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

(Paperback)

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Discover the skills you need to face change and uncertainty with confidence--and grow even stronger!

Change can happen so slowly that you might not even notice it. And sometimes, it can happen in an instant, causing your world to come crashing down. For many of us, change is scary, and as a result, we may try to avoid it, or even actively resist it. But while burying our heads in the sand can provide some short-term relief, our fear can grow and manifest itself in life-altering ways like stress, anxiety, or depression. The good news is that you can learn to transform how you respond to unwanted change.

In What Makes You Stronger, you'll learn to apply the authors' proven-effective DNA-v model (Discoverer, Noticer, Advisor, Value, and Vitality)--a potent blend of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), mindfulness, and positive psychology to gain resilience in the face of change. Using this simple six-step process, you'll not only cope with change and adversity--but grow stronger from it! You'll discover strategies for managing uncertainty, breaking unhealthy behavior patterns, and reducing overwhelm when things start to feel out of control.

If you're ready to stop running from change, and start living a life guided by your values, this powerful guide will be with you, every step of the way.

DNA-v: A Simple 6-Step Process to Positive Change

• The Broaden and Build Process - Learn to create, think, play, and explore in a way that builds value and joy
• Mindfulness and Attention Process - Pause and respond to feelings, rather than reacting impulsively
• The Cognitive Process - Disengage from negative self-talk
• The Values-Based Process - Clarify your values to create a meaningful life
• The Self-View Process - Let go of your ego and see your potential rather than your limitations
• The Social-View Process - Build genuine connections, manage difficult people, and forge strong social relationships

Reviews

"I opened the pages of What Makes You Stronger and instantly fell in love! Louise Hayes, Joseph Ciarrochi, and Ann Bailey have hit a home run! The engaging work found in this self-help book about creating a purposeful life by building vulnerability, awareness, love, friendship, and flexibility sits right at the feet of vitality. The illustrations are amazing! I can only imagine that each person who reads this work will do nothing but grow, finding their path to meaningful living."
--Robyn D. Walser, PhD, licensed clinical psychologist, author of The Heart of ACT, and coauthor of The Mindful Couple, Learning ACT, The ACT Workbook for Anger, and ACT for Moral Injury--Robyn D. Walser, PhD
"Do you sometimes feel that you are living like a zombie, just mindlessly responding to the many demands placed on you Do you sometimes feel disconnected from your values and your destination What Makes You Stronger teaches you concrete skills that allow you to become a stronger self and to make stronger social connections. Louise Hayes, Joseph Ciarrochi, and Ann Bailey have produced an approachable and easy-to-read text that will guide you through your life. I highly recommend it."
--Stefan G. Hofmann, PhD, Alexander von Humboldt professor at Philipps University of Marburg in Germany, and coauthor of Learning Process-Based Therapy--Stefan G. Hofmann, PhD
"Not just a quick-fix self-help book, What Makes You Stronger provides a manual for crafting a more fulfilling life through awareness and values-based action. Based on solid behavioral science as well as uncommon wisdom, this book invites the reader to discover sources of wellness both within and without."
--Richard M. Ryan, PhD, clinical psychologist, professor at the Institute for Positive Psychology and Education at Australian Catholic University, and cofounder of self-determination theory--Richard M. Ryan, PhD
"Practical, fun, and comprehensive--this book will provide you with all the tools you need to navigate the complexities and curveballs that life may throw at you. I'd highly recommend getting a copy and diving into the wisdom that is set out in these pages."
--Joe Oliver, PhD, founder of Contextual Consulting, associate professor at University College London, and coauthor of TheMindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Self-Esteem--Joe Oliver, PhD
"The DNA-v model is an accessible and memorable way to think about some of the core processes of change that we know are important to psychological health. If you can learn to be more psychologically flexible, your life will change. Like a flashlight on a pathway, this book will help make that journey clearer."
--Steven C. Hayes, originator of ACT, and author of A Liberated Mind--Steven C. Hayes
"This book is truly empowering. Beautifully packed with wise, manageable strategies for living with strength and purpose. It takes you through a compassionate journey that invites you to dream big--to step outside of your comfort zone and build resistance, vitality, as well as meaningful connections. This book teaches you that you are strong enough to carry both fear and uncertainty in building the life you want to live."
--Rikke Kjelgaard, licensed psychologist, author, speaker, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) expert, and chief rock'n'roller and passionate changemaker at www.rikkekjelgaard.com--Rikke Kjelgaard
"This book speaks to all of us who have felt lost, hopeless, or simply not being enough. It helps developing and strengthening fundamental abilities to develop a meaningful life, abandon useless battles with our own thoughts and feelings, and turn pain into fuel to pursue our deepest longing in life. A must-read also for clinical psychologists.... And, by the way, it has a strong scientific base, too."
--Giovambattista Presti, MD, PhD, professor of psychology at University of Enna Kore in Italy, and past president of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science--Giovambattista Presti, MD, PhD
"Written in a highly accessible, practical style, What Makes You Stronger provides a simple set of steps you can take to pursue the life you've always dreamed of having, but perhaps felt you were not strong enough or worthy enough to make it so. As this book beautifully demonstrates, you have at your fingertips all the tools needed to weather life's unpredictable moments, and at the same time to bond with yourself and the people and things that matter to you in the world. Highly recommended!"
--Kirk Strosahl, PhD, cofounder of ACT, and coauthor of The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Depression--Kirk Strosahl, PhD

Author Bio

Louise Hayes, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and academic with the University of Melbourne in Australia. She has devoted her career to helping young people and their families.