The Worry Trap: How to Free Yourself from Worry & Anxiety Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

If you are looking for a book to reduce your worries or one to suggest to others, the Worry Trap is an excellent choice. Dr Lejeune uses the framework of Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) to effectively help the reader understand the purpose and function of their anxiety. ACT is a blend of thinking, action and mindfulness. He presents the information in clear language and the examples are easy to relate to. The writing style is very engaging and at times humorous. Dr. Lejuene gives ample suggestions on how to take action that encourages lasting transformation.

I just want to draw attention to a fantastic ACT book I've just finished reading, called 'The Worry Trap', by Chad Lejeune. It's a self-help book on the use of ACT for those with GAD, or for anybody who worries a lot. it's the size of a thin paperback, only 189 pages, and it's choc-a-bloc full of great stuff, written in a really easy-to-read style. He's come up with some great new metaphors (the wrinkle in the sock, art versus ant, the shark infested surfer) and some wonderfully creative defusion strategies, (including 'rhyming your worries', labelling stuff with stick-it notes, and there's even one that involves acting out the worst case scenario with pieces of fruit!!!) The only exercise I can't bring myself to do is mindfulness of a cold shower. He's also got a really good skills-building section at the end of the book - covering planning, time management, problem-solving, assertiveness etc. All in all, highly reccomended. Cheers, Russ

This book is full of ideas and techniques that reduce anxiety and worry. You don't have to be consumed by anxiety to benefit from the practical advice it contains. Another aspect of the book that I respect is that ACT is entirely research based. It's like what W. Edwards Deming liked to call "a blizzard of common sense."

A great, simple, clear, evidence-based look at using mindfulness, acceptance and more to free oneself from problems with worry and anxiety. I think it's a must read for therapists using mindfulness based approaches to help their clients, and meditation teachers trying to help their students with anxiety problems. And, if you are chronically caught with worry and anxiety in your own life, this would be, as far as I'm concerned an important cutting-edge approach that will help you if you truly apply what you are reading. I lead a mindfulness based wellness program at a major health care provider in northern California - Kaiser-Permanente - and I am recommending this book to every anxious and worried person I work with.