A Liberated Mind

How to Pivot Toward What Matters

By: Steven C. Hayes PhD

Narrated by: Mark Deakins, Steven C. Hayes PhD

"In all my years studying personal growth, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is one of the most useful tools I've ever come across, and in this book, Dr. Hayes describes it with more depth and clarity than ever before." (Mark Manson, number one New York Times best-selling author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck)

Life is not a problem to be solved. ACT shows how we can live full and meaningful lives by embracing our vulnerability and turning toward what hurts.

In this landmark audiobook, the originator and pioneering researcher into Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) lays out the psychological flexibility skills that make it one of the most powerful approaches research has yet to offer. These skills have been shown to help even where other approaches have failed. Science shows that they are useful in virtually every area - mental health (anxiety, depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, PTSD); physical health (chronic pain, dealing with diabetes, facing cancer); social processes (relationship issues, prejudice, stigma, domestic violence); and performance (sports, business, diet, exercise).

How does psychological flexibility help? We struggle because the problem-solving mind tells us to run from what causes us fear and hurt. But we hurt where we care. If we run from a sense of vulnerability, we must also run from what we care about. By learning how to liberate ourselves, we can live with meaning and purpose, along with our pain when there is pain.

Although that is a simple idea, it resists our instincts and programming. The flexibility skills counter those ingrained tendencies. They include noticing our thoughts with curiosity, opening to our emotions, attending to what is in the present, learning the art of perspective taking, discovering our deepest values, and building habits based around what we deeply want.

Beginning with the epiphany Steven Hayes had during a panic attack, this audiobook is a powerful narrative of scientific discovery filled with moving stories as well as advice for how we can put flexibility skills to work immediately. Hayes shows how allowing ourselves to feel fully and think freely moves us toward commitment to what truly matters to us. Finally, we can live lives that reflect the qualities we choose.

©2019 Steven C. Hayes (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"In all my years studying personal growth, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is one of the most useful tools I've ever come across, and in this book, Dr. Hayes describes it with more depth and clarity than ever before." (Mark Manson, number one New York Times best-selling author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck)

"Steven Hayes possesses an extraordinary trifecta of skills: A brilliant theoretical and research psychologist, he’s also a compassionate clinician and a wonderfully engaging writer. A Liberated Mind is packed with jewels of insight and information that could change the way we deal with suffering as individuals and as a society. A compelling, revelatory read." (Martha Beck PhD, author of Finding Your Own North Star)

"Written for a very broad audience, Dr. Hayes is able to clearly translate the science and clinical complexity of this treatment into concrete guiding principles for people's lives. These principles not only apply to psychological suffering, but also to physical illnesses, relationships, corporations, societies, and cultures. The book is honest, compassionate, and profoundly insightful. It will transform your life by liberating your mind." (Stefan G. Hofmann, PhD, professor of psychology at Boston University)

Wonderful Toolkit for Everyone

I listened to this as I read through it the first time and then listened to it again on its own. It’s such a useful book. I can’t recommend it enough. Dr Hayes is great. The audio is great too. It’s well worth your tune and may change your life or someone’s life close to you.

See your yourself Objectively and Dynamically.

A great book on understanding how to be mindful. The ideas that we are dynamic and not simply our thoughts but a cornucopia of inputs (and outputs) such as emotion along with the five senses. See and recognize yourself dispassionately with this introduction to ACT therapy.

very informative

a very informative book about the use of act therapy. has many examples and techniques for implementing value-based behavior modification

Everything!

I been searching my whole life for the principles given here. This is only for those truly seeking transformation ❤️

The freedom of love in words

Steve wrote many books and articles, but this book reaches new dimensions. The capacity to deeply touch me, that have been working, developing and researching in the area for more than a decade and to also be able to resonate with my partner that is as far as possible one can be from psychology or psychotherapy is an art. And yes, this book expresses the heart of not only Steve, but the heart, hands, and art of our CBS community (Contextual Behavioral Sciences).

To be able to put all the evidence in Part I in a way that is interesting for the general public is per see something unique. Then part 2 digs into how to do meaningful and relevant pivots in life with the 6 core processes for att finally in part 3 learn how to create your own way to increase your behavioral flexibility, the capacity to navigate difficulties in life without getting stuck in old and dysfunctional avoidance mechanisms and thus, being able to grow and blossom.

Highly recommended!
Graciela Rovner, PhD in Rehabilitation Medicine

A Bit Too Much Self Help for Me

I chose this book to increase my acquaintance with this powerful therapeutic approach. It did not disappoint, but I found the self help exercises a distraction. Perhaps another of Hayes's books would have been a better choice. This book had the advantage of being very current and addressing the wide range of situations in which ACT can be helpful.

Thank You for this book

I don't know a single person whose life can't be improved through ACT, and laying it out so concisely was incredibly helpful for me personally. Thank you Stephen Hayes for this book

Brilliant

Just finished listening to the book and it was written with perfection. It was also read exceptionally well. I have been going through ACT with a therapist and it has been a profound experience and left me feeling both empowered and more compassionate than ever before. I cannot recommend this book enough. The message, lesson and comfort which Hayes has provided within the pages or hours of listening are invaluable. Anyone looking for answers in their life, or feeling debilitating anxiety or depression should look no further than this comprehensive and basic approach to finding that peace. Anyone who reads or listens to this book will experience life changing insights. Each of us deserves more from life and not to settle. Learning flexibility and to be able to accept are a sure way to get the most out of your life.

Fantastic Book

On par with Dr Rosenberg's "Nonviolent Communication," and similarly, fantastically insightful.
The use of the scientific method to determine efficacy and drive further evolution of this method was shared throughout the book, and is a welcome addition to a historically subjective practice - therapy. I'm buying a hard-copy.

Enjoyed but

Enjoyed for the most part. i was definitely offended by the uae of the n* word