ACT for Military SIG
ACT for Military SIGACT for Military SIG
Affiliated 2018
Click Here to Join the ACT for Military SIG and its Listserv!
You will be added as a member to the SIG and to the SIG's email listserv. You will receive those messages in daily digest form (by default). If you would like to change your email delivery preference, you can do so here.
Contact Information
Tommy Parry
SIG Board
Tommy Parry, President
Aaron Keating, Member-at-large
Rivka Edery, Member-at-large
Ryan Hissong, Active-Duty Military Representative
Doris Curry, Past-President
President Emeritus: Andy Santanello, Psy.D., Wyatt Evans, Clinical Psychologist; David Tubman, Clinical Health Psychologist; John Blue Star, Clinical Health Psychologist
Mission/Objectives
The ACT for Military SIG’s mission is to promote clinical practice, clinical training, and research of ACT and other CBS consistent therapies to alleviate suffering and promote wellbeing internationally among active duty military members and their families. The SIG seeks to do this through creating an open, collegial, and supportive environment for international clinicians and researchers with experience and/or interest in this area to learn, practice, and study ACT/CBS.
General Interest Area to be Specifically Addressed
The research and application of ACT/CBS for international active duty military members and their families.
SIG Activities
Listserv, meetings at ACBS World Conference, and a list of SIG resources.
Monthly ACT Case Consultation - 2nd Fridays of each month, from 12 - 1 PM Eastern.
Description of Membership
Anyone with experience and/or interest using ACT/CBS with this population.
ACT for Military SIG Resources
ACT for Military SIG ResourcesThe April 2016 VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Major Depressive Disorder recommends ACT as a "first-line treatment for uncomplicated mild to moderate MDD", citing the research evidence for this recommendation as "strong"
http://www.healthquality.va.gov/guidelines/MH/mdd/MDDCPGClinicianSummaryFINAL5192016.pdf
Articles from Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science (JCBS):
- Ramirez, M. et al. (2021). A trauma-focused intensive outpatient program integrating elements of exposure therapy with acceptance and commitment therapy: Program development and initial outcomes. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 21, 66-72.
- O'Brien, K.M., Dozier, M.E., Lopez, J., Ruha, A. (2021). A new treatment model for veterans?: Results from a program evaluation of a recovery-oriented intensive outpatient program for veterans with heterogeneous diagnostic presentations. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 19, 57-63
- Wharton, E., Sears Edwards K., Juhasz, M., and Walser, R. (2019). Acceptance-based interventions in the treatment of PTSD: Group and individual pilot data using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 14, 55-64.
- Grodin, J., Clark, J.L., Kolts, R., Lovejoy, T.I. (2019). Compassion focused therapy for anger: A pilot study of a group intervention for veterans with PTSD. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 14, 27-33.
- Borges, L.M. (2019) A Service Member's experience of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Moral Injury (ACT-MI) via telehealth: “Learning to accept my pain and injury by reconnecting with my values and starting to live a meaningful life”. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 13, 134-140.
- Cox, D. W., Motl, T. C., Bakker, A. M., & Lunt, R. A. (2018). Cognitive fusion and post-trauma functioning in veterans: Examining the mediating roles of emotion dysregulation. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 8, 1-7.
- Farnsworth, J. K., Drescher, K. D., Evans, W., Walser, R. D. (2017). A functional approach to understanding and treating military-related moral injury. JCBS, 6(4), Pages 391-397.
- Cobb, A. R., Lancaster, C. L., Meyer, E. C., Lee, H., & Telch, M. J. (2017). Pre-deployment trait anxiety, anxiety sensitivity and experiential avoidance predict war-zone stress-evoked psychopathology. JCBS, 6(3), 276-287. doi:10.1016/j.jcbs.2017.05.002
- Hermann, B. A., Meyer, E. C., Schnurr, P. P., Batten, S. V., & Walser, R. D. (2016). Acceptance and commitment therapy for co-occurring PTSD and substance use: A manual development study. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 5(4), 225-234.
- Bryan, C. J., Ray-Sannerud, B., Heron, E. A. (2015). Psychological flexibility as a dimension of resilience for posttraumatic stress, depression, and risk for suicidal ideation among airforce personnel. JCBS, 4(4), Pages 263-268.
- Bahraini, N.H., Devore, M. D., Monteith, L. L., Forster, J. E., Bensen, S., Brenner, L. A. (2013). The role of value importance and success in understanding suicidal ideation among Veterans. JCBS, 2(1–2), Pages 31-38.
Randomized Control Trials
- Buhler, J. N., Holens, P. L. & Sharpe, S. (2021). A randomized controlled trial of an online acceptance and commitment therapy-based intervention for chronic pain for military and police. Military Behavioral Health, 9(4), 463-474. https://doi.org/10.1080/21635781.2021.1982086
- Dindo, L., Zimmerman, M. B., Hadlandsmyth, K., StMarie, B., Embree, J., Marchman, J., Tripp-Reimer, T., & Rakel, B. (2018). Acceptance and commitment therapy for prevention of chronic post-surgical pain and opioid use in at-risk veterans: A pilot randomized controlled study. The Journal of Pain, 19, 1211-1221.
- Herbert, M.S., Afari, N., Liu, L., Heppner, P., Rutledge, T., Williams, K., Eraly, S., VanBuskirk, K., Nguyen, C., Bondi, M., Atkinson, JH., Golshan, S., Wetherell, J.L. (2017). Telehealth Versus In-Person Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Chronic Pain: A Randomized Noninferiority Trial. The Journal of Pain 18 (2), 200-211. DOI:10.1016/j.jpain.2016.10.014
- Lang, A.J., Schnurr, P.P., Jain, S., He, F., Walser, R.D., Bolton, E., Benedek, D.M., Norman, S.B., Sylvers, P., Flashman, L., Strauss, J., Raman, R., Chard, K.M. (2017). Randomized controlled trial of acceptance and commitment therapy for distress and impairment in OEF/OIF/OND veterans. Psychological Trauma 9(1), 74-84. DOI:10.1037/tra0000127
Publications
- Voth M., Chisholm S., Sollid H., Jones C., Smith-MacDonald L., & Brémault-Phillips, S. (2022). Efficacy, Effectiveness, and Quality of Resilience-Building Mobile Health Apps for Military, Veteran, and Public Safety Personnel Populations: Scoping Literature Review and App Evaluation. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth, 10(1), e26453. https://doi.org/10.2196/26453
- Afari, N. et al. (2019) Design for a cohort-randomized trial of an acceptance and commitment therapy-enhanced weight management and fitness program for Navy personnel. Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 15, 100408. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conctc.2019.100408
- Vowles, K. E., Witkiewitz, K., Cusack, K. J., Gilliam, W. P., Cardon, K. E., Bowen, S., Edwards, K. A., McEntee, M. L., & Bailey, R. W. (2019). Integrated behavioral treatment for Veterans with co-morbid chronic pain and hazardous opioid use: A randomized controlled pilot trial. The Journal of Pain.
- Meyer, E. C., Szabo, Y. Z., Fra nkfurt, S. B., Kimbrel, N. A., DeBeer, B.B., & Morissette, S. B. (2019). Predictors of recovery from post-deployment posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in war veterans: The contributions of psychological flexibility, mindfulness, and self-compassion. Behaviour research and therapy, 114, 7-14.
- Meyer, E. C., Walser, R., Hermann, B., La Bash, H., De Beer, B. B., Morissette, S. B., ... Schnurr, P. P. (2018). Acceptance and commitment therapy for co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorders in veterans: Pilot treatment outcomes. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 31(5), 781-789.
- Harvey, S., Bimler, D., Dickson, D., Pack, J., Sievwright, O., Baken, D., & Henricksen, A. (2018). Acceptance and commitment therapy group treatment with the military: A preliminary study. Journal of Military and Veterans' Health, 26(4), 6-15.
- Udell, C. J., Ruddy, J., & Procento, P. M. (2018). Effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy in increasing resilience and reducing attrition of injured US Navy recruits. Military Medicine, 18(9-10), e603-e611.
- Harvey, S. T., Henricksen, A., Bilmer, D., & Dickson, D. (2017). Addressing anger, stress, and alcohol-related difficulties in the military: An ACT intervention. Military Psychology, 29(5), 464-476.
- Donahue, J. J., Santanello, A., Marsiglio, M. C., & Van Male, L. M. (2017). Acceptance and commitment therapy for anger dysregulation with military veterans: A pilot study. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 47(4), 233-241.
- Jacobs, M. L., Luci, L., & Hagemann, L. (2017). Group- based acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for older veterans: Findings from a quality improvement project. Clinical Gerontologist, 41(5), 458-467.
- Walser RD, Karlin BE, Trockel M, Mazina B, Barr Taylor C. (2013) Acceptance and commitment therapy and mindfulness for chronic pain: model, process, and progress. Behav Res Ther. 51(9):555-63. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2013.05.009
- Blevins, D., Roca, J. V., & Spencer, T. (2011). Life Guard: Evaluation of an ACT-based workshop to facilitate reintegration of OIF/OEF veterans. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 42(1), 32-39.
- Batten S.V., Hayes S.C. (2005) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in the Treatment of Comorbid Substance Abuse and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Study. Clinical Case Studies. 4(3):246–262. doi: 10.1177/1534650103259689
Books
- Evans, W.R., Walser, R.D., Drescher, K.D, Farnsworth, J.K. (2020) The Moral Injury Workbook: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Skills for Moving Beyond Shame, Anger, and Trauma to Reclaim Your Values. CA: New Harbinger.
- Follette, V., Briere, J., Rozelle, D., Hopper, J. W., & Rome, D. (2015). Mindfulness-Oriented Interventions for Trauma: Integrating Contemplative Practice. New York, NY: The Guilford Press.
- Gardner, F. L., & Moore, Z. E. (2007). The psychology of enhancing human performance: The Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment approach. New York: Springer Publishing Company.
- Walser, R. & Westrup, D. (2007). Acceptance & Commitment Therapy for the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder & Trauma-related problems. CA: New Harbinger.
- Walser, R. & Westrup, D. (2007). Acceptance & Commitment Therapy for the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Practitioner's Guide to Using Mindfulness & Acceptance Strategies. CA: New Harbinger.
- Folette, V. & Pistorello, J. (2007). Finding life beyond trauma: Using Acceptance & Commitment Therapy to heal Post-Traumatic Stress & Trauma-related problems. CA: New Harbinger.
Podcasts
- ACT in Context Podcast Episode 10: ACT for Coping with Trauma and PTSD with Robyn Walser
- The Communicate and Connect Podcast for Military Families Episode 10: The Impact of Trauma with Dr. Andy Santanello)
- The Communicate and Connect Podcast for Military Families Episode 11: Moral Injury with Dr. Wyatt Evans)
Videos
- Creating Opportunities for Long-Distance ACT Peer-To Peer Consultation with Video Teleconferencing (Presented October 2020 as an ACT for Military SIG sponsored webinar)
- ACT: PTSD
- Veterans Health Administration ACT Video Series
Audio Recordings:
- Using Contextual Behavioral Science to Address Treatment Barriers among Trauma-Exposed Veterans - Panel presented at the ACBS World Conference 14 (2016)
Posters
- ACT with Military Members and Veterans: A Systematic Review. Poster presented at ACBS World Conference 17 (2019)
- Resiliency Training for About-to-be-Deployed Submariners. Poster presented at ACBS World Confernece 10 (2012)
Pamphlets
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Soldiers: A Pain Neuroscience Approach (U.S. Army Public Health Center, Technical Guide 378, May 2019) This brochure emphasizes Acceptance.
Webinars
ACBS VA ACT SIG
- Click here to view the VA ACT SIG Resources webpage
JCBS Articles
JCBS ArticlesHere are a few Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science (JCBS) articles that might be of interest to the ACT for Military SIG.
- Ramirez, M. et al. (2021). A trauma-focused intensive outpatient program integrating elements of exposure therapy with acceptance and commitment therapy: Program development and initial outcomes. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 21, 66-72.
- O'Brien, K.M., Dozier, M.E., Lopez, J., Ruha, A. (2021). A new treatment model for veterans?: Results from a program evaluation of a recovery-oriented intensive outpatient program for veterans with heterogeneous diagnostic presentations. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 19, 57-63
- Wharton, E., Sears Edwards K., Juhasz, M., and Walser, R. (2019). Acceptance-based interventions in the treatment of PTSD: Group and individual pilot data using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 14, 55-64.
- Grodin, J., Clark, J.L., Kolts, R., Lovejoy, T.I. (2019). Compassion focused therapy for anger: A pilot study of a group intervention for veterans with PTSD. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 14, 27-33.
- Borges, L.M. (2019) A Service Member's experience of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Moral Injury (ACT-MI) via telehealth: “Learning to accept my pain and injury by reconnecting with my values and starting to live a meaningful life”. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 13, 134-140.
- Cox, D. W., Motl, T. C., Bakker, A. M., & Lunt, R. A. (2018). Cognitive fusion and post-trauma functioning in veterans: Examining the mediating roles of emotion dysregulation. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 8, 1-7.
- Farnsworth, J. K., Drescher, K. D., Evans, W., Walser, R. D. (2017). A functional approach to understanding and treating military-related moral injury. JCBS, 6(4), Pages 391-397.
- Cobb, A. R., Lancaster, C. L., Meyer, E. C., Lee, H., & Telch, M. J. (2017). Pre-deployment trait anxiety, anxiety sensitivity and experiential avoidance predict war-zone stress-evoked psychopathology. JCBS, Vol. 6, Issue 3, 276-287. doi:10.1016/j.jcbs.2017.05.002
- Hermann, B. A., Meyer, E. C., Schnurr, P. P., Batten, S. V., & Walser, R. D. (2016). Acceptance and commitment therapy for co-occurring PTSD and substance use: A manual development study. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 5(4), 225-234.
- Bryan, C. J., Ray-Sannerud, B., Heron, E. A. (2015). Psychological flexibility as a dimension of resilience for posttraumatic stress, depression, and risk for suicidal ideation among airforce personnel. JCBS, Vol. 4, Issue 4, Pages 263-268.
- Bahraini, N.H., Devore, M. D., Monteith, L. L., Forster, J. E., Bensen, S., Brenner, L. A. (2013). The role of value importance and success in understanding suicidal ideation among Veterans. JCBS, Vol. 2, Issues 1–2, Pages 31-38.