Thoughts & Feelings

I am on my third workbook. The first fell apart I used it with clients so much. The second was cast by the wayside when the third edition came out because of the amazing new chapter on mindfulness. It is full of cognitive balancing skills and coping methods. One can use it alone or with a therapist. I have seen it heal anger, depression, anxiety and even help with self-esteem.

A while back, I was doing extensive research before writing up a discussion on the use of cognitive behavioral therapy. I went to the original texts by Albert Ellis and Aaron Beck, and they were great for theoretical info, but this book was THE BEST for simple, easy to understand discussion of how to use the principles and techniques of cognitive behavioral therapies to help control anxiety, depression, self esteem, moods and other aspects of your life. It provides short, simple explanations and well thought through exercises you can use to take great charge of your life. It is an excellent book for therapists who want to have a quick referral resource for patients and it is a super self help book. Like the authors say, it is not a replacement for treatment by a doctor, but it sure goes a long way for helping some basic issues. I've used the techniques listed here along with biofeedback interventions (see more about them and how to read articles I've written on my website listed in my profile)Bottom line-- for self help in cognitive therapy, consider this the layman's bible, and an essential bibliotherapy resource for therapists..

I began using this book in conjunction with a therapist and did quite well. When my therapy ended, I bought my own copy, since one can use this book alone, as well. Simple and clearly understandable, I found the book an immense help.While for some problems the authors do NOT recommend using the book without a trained therapist, for many with more easily treated problems it is a wonderful program of self-help. I used the book for cognitive behavioral therapy for depression and it was most effective.

Last year, I was going through a very stressful time in completing business school. After two years of 20 unit semesters, I HIT THE WALL. I couldn't stay awake, I couldn't sleep, I was drinking, smoking, and could barely drive a car. Get the picture?So I phoned for a therapist referal that would consult me by phone. After one call, the therapist sent me a package with this book. All I had to do was read a chapter, and I knew everything was going to be OK. Doing the workbook is one of the most beneficial and healing steps I took in my life. Thoughts an Feelings is a reminder that everyday life has a lot of natural confusion in it, and it shouldn't wreck our self esteem.I would recommend it to the most severe cases of anxiety attacks, because it saved me from taking all those other drugs, and wasting so much on therapy. Thoughts and Feelings teaches you that YOU CAN DO IT ON YOUR OWN. That way, you NEVER feel helpless again