The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Self-Esteem: Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Move Beyond Negative Self-Talk and Embrace Self-Compassion

You are more than you think. With this evidence-based guide, you’ll learn to break free from the self-critical stories you’ve created about yourself, and develop the self-compassion and self-acceptance you need to reach your full potential.

We all have stories we’ve created about ourselves—some of them positive and some of them negative.

If you suffer from low self-esteem, your story may include these types of narratives: “I’m a failure,” “I’ll never be able to do that,” or “If only I were smarter or more attractive, I could be happy.”  

Ironically, at the end of the day, these narratives are your biggest roadblocks to achieving happiness and living the life you deserve.

So, how can you break free from these stories—once and for all?

Grounded in evidence-based acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), this workbook offers a step-by-step program to help you break free from self-doubt, learn to accept yourself and your faults, identify and cultivate your strengths, and reach your full potential.

You’ll also discover ways to take action and move toward the life you truly want, even when these actions trigger self-doubt.

Finally, you’ll learn to see yourself in all your complexity, with kindness and compassion.

“If you are struggling in the grip of your self-story, but still can’t work out who you really are, this book is for you. It’s thorough, based on solid concepts and methods, and yet totally readable. It is packed with clear, helpful diagrams and exercises to guide you toward adopting a workable, transformative, self-compassionate stance with regard to who you are and what you experience.” — Yvonne Barnes-Holmes, PhD, associate professor in behavior analysis, and senior researcher at Ghent University; and author of over 150 articles on behavioral science

“The authors of this fabulous workbook have a story to tell, and if you listen to it and learn from it, it will change your life. In a remarkably practical, humble, and genuine way, the authors tell us a story about living with the joys and sorrows of wanting to belong, of wanting to fit in, of wanting to care about and be cared for by others. This workbook teaches you how to stand tall in the presence of these vital human pursuits, to accept your anxieties and self-doubts, and to act according to your personal values. Above all, this workbook will teach you that it is pointless to search for self-esteem and self-acceptance, because you already have it. It was given to you as a birthright. This book will teach you how to reclaim it! Highly recommended!” —Kirk Strosahl, PhD, codeveloper of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and coauthor of The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Depression

‍“The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Self-Esteem by Oliver and Bennett is a beautifully crafted, interactive book with touching personal stories of the authors’ own self-esteem, leading on through innovative exercises that use cutting-edge theory from psychological sciences. They help the reader to understand self-esteem and how we can run into trouble with our self-esteem in an accessible way. The workbook is ideal to help anyone strengthen their most important relationship, that is, the relationship with our self.” — Louise McHugh, PhD, professor in the school of psychology at University College Dublin; peer-reviewed ACT trainer; author of over one hundred academic papers in the area of ACT and relational frame theory (RFT); and coauthor of The Self and Perspective Taking and A Contextual Behavioral Guide to the Self

‍“There is a world of wisdom packed into this accessible, elegant workbook. The authors pursue psychology’s Holy Grail—self-esteem—and deliver it to the reader, step by step. Or rather, they draw upon empirical research, their considerable clinical experience, and even their own lives to show why efforts to obtain and hold onto a thing called ‘self-esteem’ don’t work—offering instead a way to build a sense of self that is accepting, compassionate, and ultimately freeing.  This is the sort of text that should be required reading for us all.” — Darrah Westrup, PhD, author of Advanced Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; and coauthor of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Trauma-Related Problems, The Mindful Couple, and Learning ACT for Group Treatment

‍“Joe Oliver and Richard Bennett are well known for publications and training that have both a solid foundation in contextual behavioral science (CBS), and are easy for readers to absorb. This book will give readers the opportunity to loosen from some of their old self-talk, and create bigger lives.” — Louise Hayes, PhD, clinical psychologist; and coauthor of The Thriving Adolescent; Your Life, Your Way; and Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life for Teens

‍“The solution to low self-esteem sits hidden in a place you’d never think to look. This book shows you where that place is, and how to use your greater freedom from self-criticism to take your life in a new direction. Gentle, witty, and wise—the book feels like a conversation with a helpful friend. If self-esteem is a struggle for you, do yourself a favor and read this book.” —Steven C. Hayes, PhD, Nevada Foundation Professor in the department of psychology at the University of Nevada, Reno; and originator and codeveloper of ACT

“If you’re struggling with self-esteem, then look no further than this groundbreaking book, which will help you to appreciate yourself from a whole new perspective. In this clear and practical guide based on the latest behavioral science, Joe Oliver and Richard Bennett have skilfully laid out all the steps needed for you to build a more nurturing relationship with yourself, and a life of greater meaning and purpose. I highly recommend this book.” — Mike Sinclair, DPsych, clinical director of City Psychology Group, and coauthor of Mindfulness for Busy People, The Little ACT Workbook, and The Little Depression Workbook

‍“Ready for a new perspective on self-esteem? Joe and Rich provide a perfect balance of confrontation, compassion, practical worksheets, audio exercises, and engaging examples to wake us up to the fact that human beings are amazing—and that includes YOU. This succinct, well-documented book is perhaps the best book in the mindfulness and acceptance workbook series; a definite must-read for humans seeking freedom and authenticity.” — Patti Robinson, PhD, international consultant and trainer, and coauthor of The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Depression