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Steven C. Hayes Ph.D.

About

Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D., is Nevada Foundation Professor Emeritus at the Department of Psychology at the University of Nevada. An author of 47 books and over 700 scientific articles, he has shown in his research how language and thought can lead to human human suffering by fostering the dominance of rigid verbal rules and resulting psychological inflexibility. He originated and codeveloped Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or "ACT" (said as a word, not initials), which is one of the most broadly applicable and highly researched new methods in psychological intervention over the last 20 years. ACT works by establishing more openness, awareness, and values-based life engagement -- the key features of psychological flexibility. His 2019 popular book, A Liberated Mind, tells the personal and science story of psychological flexibility and shows how it applies in nearly every area of living. His original popular book of ACT, Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life was featured in Time Magazine among several other major media outlets and, for a time, was the number one best-selling self-help book in the United States. Dr. Hayes has been President of several scientific societies and has received several national awards, such as the Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy and from the Association for Psychological Science, and Google Scholar data ranks him as among the top 30 most cited psychologists in the world (www.webometrics.info/en/node/58).

Books by Steven C. Hayes Ph.D.
Recent Posts
The Power of Writing About Your Values
We tend to focus our efforts and energies on tasks that don’t truly align with what we want out of life. Here's how to regain control and learn your true purpose.
How a Broken Elbow Is Helping My Resolutions

When our goals are an expression of the deeper qualities we wish to embody, they become resilient parts of a larger journey. Here's how it works.

When our goals are an expression of the deeper qualities we wish to embody, they become resilient parts of a larger journey. Here's how it works.

6 Things That Change With a Process-Based Approach

We can create a mental health care system that truly listens to every person’s individual journey. Here's what this will look like.

We can create a mental health care system that truly listens to every person’s individual journey. Here's what this will look like.

4 Qualities of Mentally Strong People

Becoming mentally strong isn’t always easy, but by practicing these four qualities you can improve your mental strength and your overall well-being.

Becoming mentally strong isn’t always easy, but by practicing these four qualities you can improve your mental strength and your overall well-being.

How to Deal With Your Most Overwhelming Feelings

We all feel overwhelmed at times, but with three simple steps, you can quickly get back in control. Here's how.

We all feel overwhelmed at times, but with three simple steps, you can quickly get back in control. Here's how.

What the Future of Mental Health Care Looks Like

By shifting our focus to processes of change and leveraging the power of everyday nudges, we can create a more personalized, accessible, and effective therapeutic experience.

By shifting our focus to processes of change and leveraging the power of everyday nudges, we can create a more personalized, accessible, and effective therapeutic experience.