Praise for Jill’s books

Blurbs

“A valuable addition to your ACT toolkit.”

―Russ Harris, author of The Happiness Trap

“ACT has burst upon the psychotherapy scene with creativity, a deep sense of excitement, and, most importantly, strong empirical support. With its premise that human suffering is an unfortunate byproduct of our everyday language and conceptions, metaphors become a more important tool in this therapeutic approach than most others. Now, Jill A. Stoddard, and Niloofar Afari have assembled these metaphors in an entertaining reference book that will be extraordinarily valuable―not only to practitioners of ACT, but to psychotherapists everywhere.”

―David H. Barlow PhD, ABPP, professor of psychology and psychiatry at Boston University and founder and director emeritus of the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders

“As the interest in ACT has grown internationally, there has been a burgeoning desire to find new and individually relevant metaphors and exercises to use across a variety of settings and clinical populations. This book will certainly satisfy that appetite for those looking for new ways to best connect with their clients. But more importantly, this book will inspire readers to recognize what has been true all along: that the metaphors and exercises that will be most useful are those that draw upon clients’ own experiences. By bringing this compendium together, the authors will inspire clinicians around the world to be more creative in their practice.”

―Sonja V. Batten, PhD, president (2013-2014) of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science and adjunct associate professor of psychiatry at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

“As an ACT trainer and therapist, this is a must-buy! If you are looking for new, distinctive, and effective ways to deepen your clients’ understanding of ACT, your quest is at an end. Stoddard and Afari have pulled together a wonderful compendium of rich and effective metaphors that, when delivered in therapy, will create an engaging and meaningful experience. The wealth and variety of stories and exercises will meet the needs of many a client. I know I will return to this book again and again, and like few others on my shelf, it will be dog-eared, coffee-stained, and well-worn—thanks for putting together this terrific collection!”

—Robyn D. Walser, PhD, associate director of dissemination and training at the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, assistant clinical professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and director of TLConsultation Services --This text refers to the paperback edition.

Book Reviews

“While numerous ACT textbooks and workbooks are available, this book is essential for any current or future ACT practitioner.” From The Professional Counselor; full review here.

Publisher’s Weekly Review

“Psychologist Stoddard (The Big Book of ACT Metaphors) presents a clear, step-by-step walkthrough of the acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) model for changing one’s approach to dealing with anxiety. She lays out the philosophy of the ACT model—to improve psychological flexibility by engaging with the present moment and then choosing actions “in line with deeply held personal values”—and then breaks this down into workable components: understanding anxiety, trading anxious avoidance for mindfulness, cultivating willingness to accept internal experiences that are unpleasant, consciously choosing personal values, and coupling actions to values rather than to thoughts and beliefs. Each concept is integrated with journaling exercises and thought experiments designed to create opportunities for experiential learning. While Stoddard focuses on women, her useful information applies to all. She also lists reasons women experience more stress, including societal pressure to choose cultural rather than personal values. Stoddard is authoritative, but also warm and conversational. Readers willing to work through the experiential exercises and self-reflection questions will be won over by Stoddard’s practical framework for accepting anxiety as part of the human condition.”

—Publishers Weekly, October 2019

Blurbs

“Discover your inner superpowers and become a real-life superhero with this empowering, step-by-step guide. Learn how to manage your obstacles, create your armor of super skills, and unveil your true strength. You are mighty. You are worth it. You are a superhero.”

—Janina Scarlet, PhD, award-winning author of Superhero Therapy

“In Be Mighty, Stoddard offers a bold and compassionate approach to understanding the gendered impacts of anxiety, worry, and stress—and navigating those struggles with vulnerability, strength, and vitality in ways that are fiercely female. I highly recommend this book to anyone who identifies with the pressure to have and do it all, or else.”

—Emily K. Sandoz, Emma Louise LeBlanc/BORSF Endowed Professor of Social Sciences at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and coauthor of Living with Your Body and Other Things You Hate

“Be Mighty is an empowering guide to living with more joy and courage. Stoddard writes with a refreshing mix of compassion and humor. Every chapter is peppered with ideas and strategies that have the potential to change readers’ lives.”

—Kelly McGonigal, PhD, author of The Joy of Movement, The Upside of Stress, and The Willpower Instinct

“Be Mighty by Jill Stoddard is mindfulness and acceptance for the post-#metoo woman. It’s chock-full of anecdotes written in an informal language that grabs your attention right from the start. It validates current gender disparities through intelligent and witty repartee—all of which aim to help the reader live a full, vital, and self-compassionate life, without the need for bulletproof bracelets à la Wonder Woman. It’s acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in a nutshell, made easy and yet not oversimplified, adapted to the currently evolving gender identity context. It’s just the right length and tone for those of us juggling self-care, work, family, and life!”

—Jacqueline Pistorello, PhD, licensed psychologist; director at University of Nevada, Reno Counseling Services; and coauthor of Finding Life Beyond Trauma

“Constantly battling worry, anxiety, insecurity, and self-criticism is physically exhausting and emotionally draining. Even worse, the attention and effort we invest in keeping up the fight leaves us with little time and energy for the relationships and activities that matter most. Be Mighty is an inspiring and empowering guide that offers women a way to disengage from their ongoing battles with fear and anxiety, and bring purpose and meaning to their daily lives. Drawing from evidence-based methods for treating anxiety, Stoddard offers women the practical advice and support they need to harness their inner courage and live boldly and fully.”

—Susan M. Orsillo, professor of psychology at Suffolk University, and coauthor of Worry Less, Live More

“Be Mighty is a call to arms for all women! Reading this brilliant book was like sitting down to a glass of wine with your best friend. Jill is all at once every woman’s longtime companion, biggest cheerleader, and tell-it-to-you-straight champion. This is much more than a self-help book for anxiety—it’s a compassionate manual for how to navigate the ever-evolving challenges of being a woman in the modern age.”

—Jamie R. Forsyth, PhD, licensed psychologist, and international ACT workshop leader

“If you want a book that reads like the author is in the room with you, exuding warmth, compassion, and humor while tackling the complexities of anxiety, then Be Mighty is for you. Jill Stoddard offers lots of down-to-earth, practical ideas to give us hope and relief amidst a very troubled world. Be Mighty offers simple yet powerful ways to help us identify what matters most, and experiential acceptance and mindfulness practices to help us take anxiety out of the drivers’ seat. Be Mighty is an empowering, practical, and essential book for women of all ages.”

—Sheri Turrell, CPsych, clinical psychologist, and owner of Life in Balance Therapy in Toronto, ON, Canada; adjunct lecturer in the department of psychiatry at the University of Toronto; Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS) peer-reviewed ACT trainer; and coauthor of ACT for Adolescents

“Jill Stoddard offers women a true gift in Be Mighty—an accessible set of strategies we can employ to manage the overwhelm of worry and stress inherent in our modern age. Jill’s humor, compassion, authenticity, and wise insights offer a guide that is practical and accessible, and which open us up to new opportunities for living well. It’s just what every woman needs to become her mightiest self.”

—Yael Schonbrun, PhD, assistant professor at Brown University and cohost of the Psychologists Off The Clock podcast

“Whimsical and wise in equal measure, this fresh perspective on ACT identifies and addresses the unique hurdles women face while experiencing worries, fears, stress, and anxiety. I highly recommend this to both practitioners and clients alike.”

—M. Joann Wright, PhD, founder of ACT One; peer-reviewed ACT trainer; ACBS fellow; and coauthor of Learning ACT for Group Treatment and Experiencing ACT from the Inside Out

“Be Mighty is packed full of wisdom and practical exercises to help you understand your anxiety, worry, and stress, and find a way to courageously connect to and become who you’ve always dreamt of being.”

—Aisling Leonard-Curtin, MSc, CPsychol, PsSI, chartered psychologist with the Psychological Society of Ireland; co-director of Act Now Purposeful Living; and coauthor of the Irish Times #1 bestseller, The Power of Small --This text refers to the paperback edition.

The Big Book of ACT Metaphors is used in psychology training clinics and by most ACT clinicians across the globe. Be Mighty is a frequently recommended book during ACT trainings and in therapy for the public.

Book Bloggers, Podcasters, and Bookstagrammers Reviews

Genevieve “Gen The Bookworm” Trono named Be Mighty in her top four reads for Nov 2019 alongside American Dirt, The Giver of Stars, and Such a Fun Age. Read here.

Leann Harris, book blogger and host of the Shelf Aware Books podcast named Be Mighty as a Best Non-Fiction Book of 2020 in her book blog review (read here) and on the Women Who Scarcast podcast (listen here).

Tara Michener recommended Be Mighty on her podcast, Mental Health Moments. Listen here.