Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Depression

“This well-written and user-friendly workbook presents new ways of understanding and overcoming depression. Based on mindfulness, acceptance, self-compassion, positive psychology, and neuroscience, it combines solid research foundations with practical methods for climbing out of helplessness and self-blame, and building a satisfying life.”

—Ruth Baer, PhD, author of The Practicing Happiness Workbook

“This book is a godsend for anyone struggling with depression. It is incredibly rich in terms of theoretical and scientific scope and depth, yet provides many practical, easy-to-do exercises for readers so they can start changing how they relate to themselves and their lives right away. I couldn’t recommend this book more highly.”

—Kristin Neff, PhD, associate professor of educational psychology at The University of Texas at Austin, pioneer in the field of self-compassion research, and author of Self-Compassion

“In this second edition of their classic self-help manual, Kirk Strosahl and Patricia Robinson bring two professional lifetimes’ worth of wisdom and experience to help us better understand depression, and work with it both skillfully and compassionately. This well-written book presents us with cutting-edge strategies drawn from acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), mindfulness, self-compassion, and neuroscience traditions in the service of building a life worth living. Perhaps what I like most about this book is that it isn’t just about helping us cope with depression—it’s a pragmatic guide to cultivating a life filled with meaning and purpose. Rarely does a self-help resource so skillfully capture so much of the best that psychology has to offer. Highly recommended!”

—Russell L. Kolts, PhD, professor of psychology at Eastern Washington University, and author of CFT Made Simple and The Compassionate-Mind Guide to Managing Your Anger

Publisher’s Note

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering psychological, financial, legal, or other professional services. If expert assistance or counseling is needed, the services of a competent professional should be sought.

Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books

New Harbinger Publications, Inc.

5674 Shattuck Avenue

Oakland, CA 94609

www.newharbinger.com

“Self-Assessment: Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire,” in chapter 4 of this book, is adapted from the Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) in R. A. Baer, G. T. Smith, J. Hopkins, J. Krietemeyer, and L. Toney. 2006. “Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness.” Assessment 13:27–45. Used by permission of the authors.

“How I Typically Act Toward Myself in Difficult Times” in chapter 11 is adapted with permission from the work of Kristin Neff.

Cover design by Amy Shoup; Acquired by Catharine Meyers; Edited by Marisa Solis

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Strosahl, Kirk, 1950- author. | Robinson, Patricia J., author.

Title: The mindfulness and acceptance workbook for depression : using acceptance and commitment therapy to move through depression and create a life worth living / Kirk D. Strosahl, PhD, and Patricia J. Robinson, PhD ; foreword by Steven C. Hayes.

Description: Second edition. | Oakland, CA : New Harbinger Publications, Inc., [2017] | Includes bibliographical references.

Subjects: LCSH: Depression, Mental. | Acceptance and commitment therapy. | BISAC: SELF-HELP / Depression. | BODY, MIND & SPIRIT / Meditation. | PSYCHOLOGY / Psychopathology / Depression.

Classification: LCC RC537 .S845 2017 (print) | LCC RC537 (ebook) | DDC 616.85/27--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016050918

To all the people I’ve worked with over the years who have taught me so much about the courage it takes to stare down and transcend depression. I’m privileged to have been a part of their unique life journeys. To my daughters, Regan, Frances, and Joanna: each of you brings a unique gift to the world and joy to my heart. To my life companion and writing partner, Patti: You have brought me alive inside in countless ways throughout our journey together. You are the love of my life. In memory of my beloved brother Mark Strosahl and best friend Greg Campbell: The Three Amigos ride no more, but I’m not done just yet!

—Kirk Strosahl

To our daughters, yours and ours: Let’s raise them to be brave, not perfect.

—Patricia Robinson