Thoughts and Feelings adapts the powerful and widely adaptable techniques of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) into a set of tools readers can use, not to solve a particular problem, but to overcome any of the emotional and behavioral changes that life throws their way. CBT recognizes that most negative feelings arise from confused, irrational thoughts. By learning to identify and change these thoughts and by replacing destructive and limiting behaviors with new, more constructive ones, readers can start steering their lives in the direction they want to go.
Changes to this new edition include revisions and updates to the core CBT chapters as well as a new chapter on how to use mindfulness to bring focus and intention to the process of change.
Balanced guide to controlling your thoughts and emotions Making the effort to change your thoughts and emotions is not an easy road - but access to the right tools, techniques and resources can help. Matthew McKay, Martha Davis and Patrick Fanning offer a thorough handbook on using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to deal with such serious emotional problems as panic disorder, phobias, obsessive thinking, depression and more. This workbook is a comprehensive guide to CBT, covering what it is, how it works and how you can use it (including worksheets) to restructure your thinking. getAbstract salutes the authors for this valuable self-help manual, and recommends it to interested readers for their own use or as a reference to help a loved one who needs to regain control over runaway emotions.
Read this book. It will help. This book was recommended to me by an LCS when I sought help for depression several years ago. I was also perscribed Prozac which I took for several months. The combination worked for me and the book in particular was a great tool for me long term. CBT worked for me and this book was key.
I appreciated that this book was about DOING something about your emotions vs. thinking about and reflecting on WHY you're depressed, anxious, etc. I, like many people, know exactly why I don't naturally have the best mental outlook- thinking and reflecting on the why (ruminating on a past I was powerless to change, worrying that more horrible things might happen) was part of the reason I would get so very depressed. Especially useful for me were the techniques detailed in the book to end negative loops of thought. It took time to master, but I now use the lessons I learned in this book reflexively, without effort. It has made a huge difference in my life: I deal better with negative emotions, I note the change in my moods without being trapped by them nearly as often and I am generally happier, more forward thinking and positive.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone. If it doesn't help you, it couldn't possibly hurt. Not all of it will apply to you (for instance, almost none of the anger related stuff applied to me). Changing how you think is possible and can dramatically improve your life. Try it.
Amazing Book! I bought this book after hearing about the postivie outcomes of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
This book is amazing. You only read certain chapters that pertain to your specific problem (it tells you in the beginning which ones for which problems) and follow the instructions. My problem is panic disorder, so I looked up and know which chapters to read and complete. It takes a lot of work on your part, doing exercises, following through on things, I am only done with the first chapter I have to read and have done all but one of the exercises, and I already feel better!
My therpaist is buying a copy of this book to follow along with my progress. It will take a while, but with lots of hard work and a little patience, I hope to be medication free within the year! I know I may never be panic free, but my goal is to minimize it and make my life happy and liveable while medication free.
I highly recommend this book!!
Rather Superficial in Key Areas Lots of excellent ideas and some good techniques. But therein lies the problem: the techniques, especially on relaxation, should be defined, described and explained for use by stressed-out people in more detail.
Also, I believe that Beck's original insight about thoughts controlling feelings is not as airtight as he and the many people following in his wake believe. Do your realize how hard it is to even identify specifically and accurately your thoughts on almost any subject or in any situation that calls for psychological intervention.
Finally, I believe that workbooks such as these offer as much fool's gold, as real value and cogency. The most important deficiency is the assumption by the authors that psychologically crippled (blunt word but appropriate) individuals have the self-discipline, not to mention the intelligence, to make use of this book. Since Beck wrote his seminal book in the 70's, very little hard data exists to show the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy and techniques. C.B.T. may be an improvement over Freudian analysis (duh!) but certainly not over medication and directed therapy by a truly competent therapist who has the time and commitment to really help you. However, few therapists have the time, dedication and ability to actually help you. There are certainly some good therapists out there, but 99% have other patients and other concerns and responsibilities that distract them from focusing on YOU.
That said, the best relaxation techniques are taught by audio tape or c.d. Troubled people need the structure and discipline that tapes offer.
excellent This book was very hard to find, but a simple click on amazon.com and i had it at my door in 4 days in perfect condition. This book has helped in alot of ways so far and im only halfway thru. I like the journals and charts. It makes it a handson activity that i can get into instead of just a book.
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