Strosahl, K.D. and Robinson, P.J. (2015). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: Application to the Treatment of Clinical Depression. In Treating Depression (eds A. Wells and P.L. Fisher).

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is one of several new cognitive and behaviour therapies that are now being referred to as the ‘third wave’ of behaviour therapy. It seeks to promote acceptance of unwanted private experiences through the application of various mindfulness strategies. This chapter tries to show the application of ACT treatment to the case of Gail, a 48-year-old woman with a long history of repeated episodes of depression. First, it introduces a case conceptualization framework that helps to ‘describe’ Gail's strengths and weaknesses from an ACT perspective. The chapter then demonstrates various ACT interventions suggested by the case conceptualization process. It also describes how an ACT therapist would adjust course on the basis of Gail's response (or lack of response) to an ACT clinical intervention. Finally, the chapter explains that there are obviously many nuances in the application of ACT that cannot be properly addressed.