Synopsis
The ACT Workbook for Behavioral Addictions by Jennifer L. Patterson, PsyD, LCPC, offers a compassionate, evidence-based guide for individuals struggling with compulsive behaviors such as gambling, binge eating, excessive social media use, gaming, shopping, and pornography. Grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), the workbook reframes behavioral addictions not as moral failings but as understandable responses to pain and avoidance. Patterson invites readers to explore the emotional triggers and underlying patterns that drive their habits, while providing practical tools to disrupt rigid cycles and build psychological flexibility. Through experiential exercises, mindfulness practices, and cognitive defusion strategies, readers learn to sit with discomfort, clarify their values, and take committed action toward a more meaningful life. Designed for both clinicians and the public, the workbook blends clinical depth with accessible language, making it a powerful resource for anyone seeking to move from stuckness to strength and from avoidance to authentic living.
Author Bio
Jennifer L. Patterson, PsyD, LCPC, is a leading clinician, author, and ACT trainer committed to helping individuals build lives of meaning, resilience, and psychological flexibility. As the founder of JPI Psychological Solutions in Chicago, Illinois, she specializes in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive behaviors, behavioral addictions, anxiety, and depression. Her approach integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with other third-wave behavioral models to foster lasting well-being and values-based living. A recognized expert in contextual behavioral science, Dr. Patterson provides training, consultation, and supervision to clinicians and organizations nationwide. Her published work—including contributions to ACT literature and her own clinical resources—reflects a deep commitment to translating evidence-based principles into accessible, compassionate care. Through her clinical practice, teaching, and writing, Dr. Patterson continues to shape the future of psychotherapy with clarity, creativity, and heart.
