Dr. Georg Eifert

Professional Background

Dr. Eifert obtained his Ph.D. at the University of Frankfurt in Germany, where he was also born. He joined Chapman University as chair in 2002 after serving for nine years as the Eberly Distinguished Professor of Clinical Psychology at West Virginia University in Morgantown. Previously, he was chief of psychology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and head of psychology at James Cook University of North Queensland, Australia.

Research and Scholarship

Mostly together with his students, Dr. Eifert has published five authored books and over 100 research journal articles and book chapters on understanding and dealing with anxiety and emotional distress.

Over the last 10 years, Dr. Eifert's research has focused on integrating new acceptance-based behavioral psychotherapy approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with existing empirically supported behavioral interventions for anxiety, anger and eating disorders. Since joining Chapman University he has co-authored five books: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Anxiety Disorders—a therapist guide and treatment manual that outlines a unified acceptance-based treatment for persons suffering from any of the major anxiety disorders; three other books are ACT books for the general public designed to help people with anxiety disorders (The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Anxiety), anger (ACT on Life not on Anger), and eating disorders (The Anorexia Workbook). His most recent book, How to Find What Matters and Create the Life You Want, takes readers through the process of uncovering and acting on their core life values that can lead them to a sense of purpose. In collaboration with Dr. Michelle Craske at UCLA, Dr. Eifert has been conducting a large clinical effectiveness study in the UCLA Psychology Clinic comparing the effectiveness of ACT with a traditional behavioral treatment protocol.

Honors/Membership of Editorial Boards

• Book Series Editor. Progress in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. New Harbinger Publications, Oakland CA, since 2006.
• Behaviour Research and Therapy, Editorial Board Member, since 2006.
• Behaviour Change, Editorial Board Member, since 1991.
• Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Editorial Board Member since 1993.
• Cognitive Behavior Practice, Editorial Board Member since 2004.
• Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, Editorial Board Member since 1994.
• Faculty Award for Excellence in Research/Scholarship, Chapman University, May 2005.
• Ranked No. 23 of "Top 50 Researchers in Behavior Analysis and Therapy in the 1990s" [E.D. Richards, B.J. Cox & R. Norton (1998). Leading researchers and institutions in behavior analysis and therapy in the 1990s. The Behavior Therapist, 1998, Vol. 21, 113-115.]

Teaching, Workshops, and Licensure

• Advanced Individual Interventions / Behavior Therapy
• Abnormal Psychology
• Theories of Personality
• Clinical Supervision
• Research Supervision

Dr. Eifert is a licensed psychologist (Hawaii Board of Psychology, License No. 752) and he regularly gives workshops for professionals in the U.S. and Europe on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for anxiety and related disorders.

Publications (since joining Chapman)

• Forsyth, J.P., McKay, M., Forsyth, J.P., & Eifert, G.H. (2010). Your life on purpose: How to find what matters and create the life you want (200 pages). Oakland: New Harbinger Publications.
• Forsyth, J. P., & Eifert, G. H. (2008). The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Anxiety: Break Free from Anxiety, Phobias, and Worrywith Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (267 pages). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.
• Eifert, G. H., McKay, M., & Forsyth, J. P. (2006). ACT on Life not on Anger: The new Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for problem anger (182 pages). Oakland,
  CA: New Harbinger. [also translated and commercially available in German and Dutch]
• Eifert, G. H., & Forsyth, J. P. (2005). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for anxiety disorders: A practitioner's treatment guide using mindful acceptance and values based behavior change strategies (288 pages). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.
• Heffner, M., & Eifert, G. H. (2004). The Anorexia Workbook: How to accept yourself, heal suffering, and reclaim your life (200 pages). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications.

• Eifert, G. H. (2011). Akzeptanz- und Commitment-Therapie: Ein Leitfaden fur Therapeuten (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: A Therapist Guide). Gottingen/Seattle: Hogrefe.
• Forsyth, J. P., & Eifert, G. H. (2010). Mit Ängsten und Sorgen erfolgreich umgehen: Ein Ratgeber fur den achtsamen Weg in ein erfulltes Leben mit Hilfe von ACT. (Dealing with anxieties and worries successfully: A guide for a mindful path into a successful life using ACT). Gottingen/Seattle: Hogrefe.
• Eifert, G. H., McKay, M., & Forsyth, J. P. (2009). Mit Ärger und Wut umgehen: Der achtsame Weg in ein friedliches Leben. Bern: Hans Huber.
• Eifert, G. H., & Forsyth, J. P. (2008). Akzeptanz- und Commitment- Therapie fur Angststorungen: Ein praktischer Leitfaden zur Anwendung von Achtsamkeit, Akzeptanz und wertgeleiteten Verhaltensanderungsstrategien. Tubingen: DGVT.

• Eifert, G. H., & Forsyth, J. P. (2010). The application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to problem anger anger. Invited article for Cognitive Behavioral Practice.
• Eifert, G. H., Zvolensky, M. J., & McCormack, E. (in press Publication date: Feb 2011). Somatoform disorders: Nature, psychological processes, and treatment strategies. In J.E. Maddux & B.A. Winstead (Eds.), Foundations for a contemporary understanding (3rd ed.) (pp.). Hillsdale: Erlbaum.
• Peterson, B. D. & Eifert, G. H. (2010). Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to treat a couple experiencing infertility stress. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice.
• Forsyth, J. P., & Eifert, G. H. (2009). Mit Angsten und Sorgen erfolgreich umgehen: Ein Ratgeber fur den achtsamen Weg in ein erfulltes Leben mit Hilfe von ACT. (Dealing with anxieties and worries successfully: A guide for a mindful path into a successful life using ACT). Gottingen/Seattle: Hogrefe.
• Eifert, G. H., Forsyth, J. P., Arch, J., Keller, M., Langer, D. & Espejo, N. (2009). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for anxiety disorders: Three case studies using a unified treatment protocol. Invited article for Cognitive Behavioral Practice, 16, 368-385.
• Peterson, B. D., Eifert, G. H., Feingold, T., & Davidson, S. (2009). Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to treat distressed couples: A case study with two couples. Cognitive Behavioral Practice, 16, 430-442. 
• Bouman, T. K., & Eifert, G. H. (2008). Somatoform disorder. In T. Millon & P. H. Blaney (Eds.), Oxford Textbook of Psychopathology (2nd ed.) (pp. 482-505). Oxford: Oxford University Press. 
• Eifert, G. H., Zvolensky, M. J., & Louis, A. (2008). Somatoform disorders: Nature, psychological processes, and treatment strtegies. In. J.e. Maddux & B. A. Winstead (Eds.), Psycho- pathology: Foundations for a contemporary understanding (2nd ed.). Hillsdale: Erlbaum. 
• Hoyer, J., Eifert, G. H., Einsle, F., Zimmermann, K., Krauss, S., Knaut, M., Matschke, K. & Köllner, V. (2008). Heart-focused anxiety before and after cardiac surgery. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 64, 291-297.
• Zvolensky, M. J., Feldner, M. T., Eifert, G. H., Vujanovic, A. A., & Solomon, S. E. (2008). Cardiophobia: A critical analysis. Transcultural Psychiatry, 45, 231-252.
• Eifert, G. H., & Forsyth, J. P. (2007). From normal anxiety to anxiety disorders: An experiential avoidance perspective. In D. W. Woods & J. Kanter (Eds.) Understanding behavior disorders: A contemporary behavioral perspective. Reno, NV: Context Press.
• Eifert, G. H., Heffner, M., Greco, L. A., & Louis, A. (2007). Eating disorders: An experiential avoidance perspective. In J. Woods & J. Kanter (Eds.) Understanding behavior disorders: A contemporary behavioral perspective. Reno, NV: Context Press.
• Eifert, G. H., Zvolensky, M. J., 7 Golub, A. (2007). Somatoform disorders and psychological factors in physical health and illness. In J. E. Maddux & B. A. Winstead (Eds.), Psychopathology: Contemporary issues, theory, and research (2nd ed.). Hillsdale: Erlbaum.
• Heidenreich, T., Michalak, J., & Eifert, G. H. (2007). Balance von Veränderung und acht-samer Akzeptanz: Die dritte Well der Verhaltenstherapie [Balancing change with mindful acceptance; The third wave of behavior therapy]. Psychotherapie, Psychosomatic, Medizinishe Psychology [Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics, Medical Psychology], 57, 475-486.
• Eifert, G. H., & Cornia, K. (2006). Anorexia. In S. Feinstein (Ed.). Handbook of learning and the brain (Vol. 1, pp. 61-67). Westport, CT: Praeger. 
• Bernstein, A., Michael J. Zvolensky, M. J., Kotov, R., Arrindell, W., Taylor, S., Sandin, B.J., Cox, B. J., Stewart, S. H., Bouvard, M., Cardenas, S., Eifert, G. H., Schmidt, N. B. (2006). Taxonicity of anxiety sensitivity: A multi-national analysis. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 20, 1-22. 
• Eifert, G. H., Zvolensky, M. J., & Golub, A. (2007). Somatoform disorders and psychological factors in physical health and illness. In J. E. Maddux & B. A. Winstead (Eds.),
  Psychopathology: Contemporary issues, theory, and research (2nd ed.). Hillsdale: Erlbaum.
• Forsyth, J. P., Eifert, G. H., & Barrios, V. (2006). Fear conditioning in an emotion regulation context: A fresh perspective on the origins of anxiety disorders. In M. G. Craske, D. Hermans, & D. Vansteenwegen (Eds.). Fear and learning: From basic processes to clinical applications (pp. 133-153). Washington, DC: American Psychological
  Association.
• Eifert, G. H. (2005). Individuelle versus standardisierte Therapie: Erkenntnisse und neue Fragestellungen [Individual versus standardized therapy: Conclusions and new questions]. In J. Kosfelder, J. Michalak, S. Vocks, & U. Willutzky (Eds.), Fortschritte der Psychotherapieforschung [Progress in psychotherapy research] (pp. 197-216). Göttingen/Seattle: Hogrefe Verlag.
• Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., Wilson, K. G., Bissett, R. T., Pistorello, J., Toarmino, D., Polusny, M. A., Dykstra, T. A., Batten, S. V., Bergan, J., Stewart, S. H., Zvolensky, M. J., Eifert, G. H., Bond, F. W., Forsyth J. P., Karekla, M., & McCurry, S. M. (2004). Measuring experiential avoidance: A preliminary test of a working model. The Psychological Record,54, 553-578.
• Greco, L. A. & Eifert, G. H. (2004). Treating parent-adolescent conflict: Is acceptance the missing link for an integrative family therapy? Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 11, 305-314.
• Spira, A. P., Zvolensky, M. J., Eifert, G. H., & Feldner, M. T. (2004). Avoidance-oriented coping as a predictor of anxiety-based physical stress: A test using biological challenge. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 18, 309-323.
• Eifert, G. H., & Zvolensky, M. J. (2004). Somatoform disorders and psychological factors in physical health and illness. In J. E. Maddux & B. A. Winstead (Eds.), Psychopathology: Contemporary issues, theory, and research (pp. 281-300). Hillsdale: Erlbaum. 
• Eifert, G. H., & Feldner, M. T. (2003). Conceptual foundations of behavioral assessment strategies. In M. Hersen, S. N. Haynes, & E. M. Heiby (Eds.), The comprehensive handbook of psychological assessment, Vol. 3: Behavioral assessment (pp. 258-297). New York: Wiley. 
• Eifert, G. H. & Heffner, M. (2003). The effects of acceptance versus control contexts on avoidance of panic-related symptoms. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 34, 293-312.
• Feldner, M. T., Zvolensky, M. J., Eifert, G. H., & Spira, A. P. (2003). Emotional avoidance: An experimental test of individual differences and response suppression during biological challenge. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 41, 403-411. 
• Heffner, M., Eifert, G. H., Parker, B. T., Hernandez, D. H., & Sperry, J. A. (2003). Valued directions: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in the treatment of alcohol dependence. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 10. 379-384.
• Heffner, M., Greco, L. A. & Eifert, G. H. (2003). Pretend you are a turtle: Children's responses to metaphorical and literal relaxation instructions. Child Family and Behavior Therapy, 25, 19-33. 
• Hopko, D. R., Lejuez, C. W., Ruggiero, K. J., & Eifert, G. H. (2003). Behavioral activation as a treatment for depression: Procedures, principles, and progress. Clinical Psychology Review, 23, 699-717. 
• Hopko, D. R., McNeil, D. W., Lejuez, C. W., Ashcraft, M. H., Eifert, G. H., & Riel, J. (2003). The effects of anxious responding on arithmetic and lexical decision task performance. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 17, 647-665.
• Zvolensky, M. J., Arrindell, W. A., Taylor, S., Sandin, B., Cox, B. J., Stewart, S. H., Bouvard, M., Cardenas, S. J., & Eifert, G. H. (2003). Anxiety sensitivity in six countries. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 41, 841-859. 
• Zvolensky, M. J., Eifert, G. H., Feldner, M. T., & Feldner-Leen, E. (2003). Heart-focused anxiety, smoking, and chest pain in post-angiography medical patients. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 26, 197-209.
• Heffner, M. P., Sperry, J., Eifert, G. H., & Detweiler, M. (2002). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in the treatment of an adolescent female with anorexia nervosa: A case study. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 9, 232-236.
• Schulte, D., & Eifert, G. H. (2002). What to do when manuals fail: The dual model of psychotherapy. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 9, 312-328.
• Stewart, S. H., Zvolensky, M. J., & Eifert, G. H. (2002). The relations of anxiety sensitivity, experiential avoidance, and alexithymic coping to young adults' motivations for drinking. Behavior Modification, 26, 274-296.
• Zvolensky, M. J., & Eifert, G. H. (2002). Manualized behavior therapy. In M. Hersen & W. H. Sledge (Eds.), Encyclopedia of psychotherapy, Volume 2 (pp. 115-121).