Steven C. Hayes Ph.D.

About

Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D., is Nevada Foundation Professor at the Department of Psychology at the University of Nevada. An author of 46 books and nearly 650 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 Award from the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy, and Google Scholar lists him as among the most cited scholars in the world (www.webometrics.info/en/node/58).

Books by Steven C. Hayes Ph.D.

Recent Posts

How to Stop Being an Impostor

Despite your achievements, you may feel like an impostor. Here's how you can deal with it.

6 Signs That You're Stuck in a Negative Narrative

The stories we tell ourselves about ourselves, and the world we live in, have a powerful impact on our mental well-being. Here's how you avoid getting stuck.

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.

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.

Mental Health Care Is Broken—Here’s How We Fix It

The DSM has failed us, but we can make mental health more personalized and more effective.

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.

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.

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.

Why People Get Stuck in Therapy

After decades of research, we have discovered why some people get stuck (and others don’t) and how to provide the most effective care psychology has to offer.