“Only a lot of wisdom and years of experience can produce a book with this degree of clarity. Jansen provides accessible, perfectly placed examples throughout, as well as numerous exercises designed to build your competence and confidence in working effectively at the process level. As a longtime ACT provider, I especially appreciate works from seasoned clinicians that give me a sense of who they are 'in the room.' Jansen's generosity, honesty, humility, and humor is evident in these pages. If you are interested in making ACT happen for your clients—effectively, powerfully—this is the book for you.”

—Darrah Westrup, PhD, private practice, Durango, Colorado


“A fresh and new presentation of ACT. This book is a wonderful training resource for new therapists, and it offers novel insights for those of us who have been using ACT for a long time. All mental health professionals will gain something from reading this book.”

—Michael Twohig, PhD, Department of Psychology, Utah State University


“Making ACT Happen pairs real clinical know-how with a warm, clear voice. Jansen models a way of doing ACT, demonstrating creative hopelessness; playful defusion; head, body, and heart framing; values work that clarifies what matters; and session-ready steps for committed action. I recommend this book to new trainees and to experienced therapists who want more precise, effective sessions to help clients build better lives. In supervision and workshops, I will use Jansen's metaphors, exercises, and open questions that invite self-practice. This book lifts the floor for beginners and raises the ceiling for experts.”

—Joseph Ciarrochi, PhD, Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University


“Making ACT Happen shows new (and experienced) practitioners how to do exactly that. Practical and accessible, the book is carefully rooted in a deep understanding of the model and its underlying theory. Jansen introduces novel ways of explaining elements of ACT that can be puzzling to the newcomer and offers a refreshing focus on moment-by-moment choices facing the therapist—what to prioritize, how to ask a question, and different ways of responding. Written in a distinctive personal voice, and encouraging readers to develop their own clinical style, this book will be a valuable resource for anyone interested not merely in understanding ACT, but in doing it well.”

—Ray Owen, DClinPsychol, ACT trainer and supervisor, Gloucester, United Kingdom


“Filled with stories, metaphors, and examples that capture the texture of practice from one of the world’s leading ACT practitioners and trainers. I’ve known Gijs Jansen for decades. I’ve watched him work, train, and treat. He is one of the best....By showing the range of creative interventions possible, the book encourages practitioners to develop their own voice while staying grounded in principle.”

—from the Foreword by Steven C. Hayes, PhD, Foundation Professor of Psychology Emeritus, University of Nevada, Reno; originator and co-developer, ACT