“A clearly written, step by step, and research-based guide to life transformation. It simplifies without talking down; guides without being bossy. A fun and helpful ride that will stick with you. Definitely worth the read.“ -Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D., Foundation Professor of Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno, Originator of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Co-developer of Process-Based Therapy, author of 47 books.
“Dr. Maidenberg nailed it! She has distilled substantive personal change into three key ingredients—acceptance, compassion and empowerment. Her approach is scientifically-supported and it puts change on the foundation of self-understanding and self-kindness. Before you take on another self-improvement project, please read this book.“ -Christopher Germer, Ph.D., Lecturer on Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, author of The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion, and Co-developer, Mindful Self-Compassion program.
“Dr. Michelle Maidenberg’s book, ACE Your Life, is an inspiring and helpful guide that will help you accept yourself and others, have more compassion for your vulnerabilities, and empower you to accomplish valued goals. We often find that our own thinking and habits have become the major obstacles to getting what we want. This book will help you overcome obstacles within yourself and obstacles that you face in the real world. Sometimes we must go through it to get past it and the journey is challenging. This book is what you will need to get your life back.“ -Robert L. Leahy, Ph.D., Director of the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy and Clinical Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry at Weill-Cornell University Medical School. Author of If Only…Finding Freedom from Regret, Don't Believe Everything You Feel, The Jealousy Cure, Beat the Blues Before They Beat You, Anxiety-Free: Unravel Your Fears before They Unravel You, The Worry Cure: Seven Steps to Stop Worry from Stopping You.
“Recognizing that perfection is a figment of our overactive imagination, Dr. Michelle Maidenberg developed an ingenious method to identify ways of acceptance, compassion and empowerment (ACE). Actualizing the ACE method puts you in the driver's seat like never before. Exceptionally well written, ACE Your Life, will motivate and guide you to make fundamental changes in your life which will make you fulfilled and proud.“ -Ruth Gotian, EdD, MS, Thinkers50 #1 emerging management thinker in the world and author of The Success Factor. Chief Learning Officer and Assistant Professor of Education in Anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine.
“If you want to change behavior and become the version of yourself you most wish to be, acting with self-compassion and commitment is the royal road to realization. Michelle’s book beautifully illuminates this path.“ -Dennis Tirch, Ph.D., Founding Director, The Center for Compassion Focused Therapy and Associate Clinical Professor, Mt. Sinai Medical Center. Author of Compassionate-Mind Guide to Overcoming Anxiety: Using Compassion-Focused Therapy to Calm Worry, Panic and Fear, The Compassionate Mind Approach to Overcoming Anxiety.
“Is acceptance a fall back strategy? No! In this book, Dr. Michelle Maidenberg serves as a thoughtful and encouraging guide to learning how to accept yourself, embrace your values, and be empowered to act toward what's most important to you. It's chock full of exercises, strategies, and stories that you can use to be your best self.“-Jason B. Luoma, Ph.D., CEO, Portland Psychotherapy – Clinic, Research, and Training Center and Affiliate Faculty, Oregon Health and Science University Associate Scientist, Oregon Research Institute. Author of Values in Therapy and Learning ACT.
“The pressures and uncertainties of everyday life make it is far too easy to lose touch with what keeps us resilient, happy and strong. Integrating valuable psychological research with practical and proven exercises (along with lots of engaging graphics), Michelle Maidenberg's Ace Your Life allows you to reconnect with your best intentions and live an easier and more empowered life.“ -Mark Bertin MD, Developmental Pediatrician, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at New York Medical College, and on the faculty of the Windward Teacher Training Institute. Author of Mindful Parenting for ADHD, The Family ADHD Solution, Mindfulness and Self-Compassion for Teen ADHD, How Children Thrive.
“ACE Your Life is a gem. Dr. Michelle Maidenberg uses evidence-based research and her vast clinical knowledge to guide the reader through barriers and practical implementable strategies so they can truly ACE their life. Acceptance, compassion, and empowerment is the key, and understanding the barriers and how to overcome them unlocks the door to living the life we all want. ACE Your Life is an essential and inspirational read if you want to make progress, forge ahead, and cultivate a meaningful life.“ -Marci G. Fox, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and author of Think Confident, Be Confident for Teens, The Think Confident, Be Confident Workbook for Teens.
“This is such an important book. With this clearly and beautifully written work, Dr. Maidenberg has captured the essence of how anyone can feel good in today’s world. She has identified the elements that keep people stuck in the ruts that keep them unfulfilled and provides a clear roadmap to long-term substantiative change. With her warm, engaging style, she provides practical exercises that immediately change how one can see him or herself differently. She has created a new and unique system to feel good.“ -Robert S. Schachter, Ed.D., Licensed Psychologist and Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Author of Mindfulness for Stress Management: 50 Ways to Improve Your Mood and Cultivate Calmness.
“Dr. Maidenberg takes a unique approach to self-help with her comprehensive guide to personal growth and self-fulfillment. With the world facing adversity and many searching for new ways to cope, ACE Your Life could not be more timely. Its emphasis on breaking the cycle of stuckness seems particularly salient now, in the midst of a pandemic—where boredom and fear of the future reign. Individuals and clinicians alike will find this guide useful. Having it on hand is like having a life coach nearby, whenever you need one.“ -Ann Goelitz, Ph.D., LCSW, Psychotherapist and author of From Trauma to Healing, now in its second edition, and Shared Mass Trauma in Social Work. Taught at Columbia University and Hunter College.
“If you are stuck, ACE Your Life is exactly what you need to figure out how to move forward to live our best lives. Dr. Maidenberg offers a three-pillared approach to build self-acceptance, compassion and empowerment. It isn’t easy to take a hard look at our values, past trauma, coping mechanism and barriers. But with the help of ACE Your Life, Dr. Maidenberg takes the reader through the steps with a great deal of support. In the end, the reader is in a much healthier space to live life to the fullest.“ -Catherine Pearlman, Ph.D., LCSW, is The Family Coach® and author of Ignore It! Assistant Professor at Brandman University and writes the nationally syndicated “Dear Family Coach” column.
“With relatable stories, powerful exercises and state-of-the-art tools, Dr. Maidenberg’s well-written book expertly provides both an inspiring and practical guide to living a more psychologically rich life. An essential boost of hope and a proven path for change in today’s challenging times!” -Michelle Brody, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and Executive Coach. Author of Stop the Fight! An Illustrated Guide for Couples and Own Your Armor: Revolutionary Change for Workplace Culture.
Michelle P. Maidenberg, Ph.D., MPH, LCSW-R maintains a private practice in Harrison, NY where she works with individuals, families, and couples. She works with adolescents, teens, and adults. Michelle is the Co-Founder and Clinical Director of “Thru My Eyes”, a nonprofit 501c3 organization that offers free clinically-guided videotaping to chronically medically ill individuals who want to leave video legacies for their children and loved ones. She is also adjunct faculty at New York University (NYU) teaching a graduate course in Mindfulness Practice.
Michelle is a Board of Directors member at The Boys & Girls in Mount Vernon. She is a member of the American Red Cross Crisis Team and serves on the Board of Directors of the Westchester Trauma Network (WTN) in Westchester NY.
Michelle is a Certified Group Therapist through the American Group Psychotherapy Association and a Diplomate and certified member of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. Michelle has advanced training in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Structural Family Therapy, Mindfulness, Polyvagal Theory, and is a Level II trained Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist.
Michelle is also the author of the book Free Your Child From Overeating: 53 Mind-Body Strategies For Lifelong Health. Her book guides practitioners, parents, and kids and teens through mind-body strategies that help kids and teens develop life-long healthful behaviors. Michelle writes the Psychology Today Blog: Being Your Best Self and is a contributing editor of the journal GROUP. She is dedicated and invested in health and mental health advocacy.
