John P. Forsyth, Ph.D.

John P. Forsyth, Ph.D., is a an author, speaker, and professor of psychology at the University at Albany, SUNY where he also serves as director of the Anxiety Disorders Research Program.  He is an internationally recognized expert in the treatment of anxiety disorders and a leader in the growth of newer acceptance and mindfulness-based behavior therapies. He work is based on a new approach to psychological health called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) which forms the backdrop to the myriad of talks and workshops conducted by Dr. Forsyth around the world each year.

Dr. Forsyth has an active research program, some of which has been funded by NIMH and more recently the Department of Defense, focused on ACT and the anxiety disorders and using telehealth to meet the needs for veterans. He has published numerous articles about how excessive struggle with unpleasant thoughts and emotions feeds human suffering, and what mindfulness and acceptance can offer as a solution.

In 1999, he was the recipient of the Dissertation Award from the Society for a Science for Clinical Psychology for excellence in research, and in 2000 received the B. F. Skinner New Researcher Award from Division 25 of the American Psychological Association for innovative and important behavioral research by a new investigator. In 2006, he received the University at Albany and SUNY Chancellor's Awards for Excellence in Teaching. He serves on the editorial boards of several leading journals, has served as an external reviewer for DoD grant proposals, is a member of an ad hoc research task force at the Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany, NY, and is a Clinical Fellow of the Behavior Therapy and Research Society.

He is also a coauthor of three books: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Anxiety Disorders and ACT on Life, Not on Anger. His latest book, The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Anxiety: A Guide to Breaking Free From Anxiety, Phobias, and Worry Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, was published in January 2008 and is written for a general audience. His latest ACT-infused book, Your Life on Purpose, focuses on helping readers create a life in alignment with what matters to them. Collectively, his work has helped foster growing international interest in acceptance and mindfulness approaches in cognitive-behavior therapy, psychology, mental health care, medicine, and society.