Sensible Psychological Self-Help

Cognitive Therapy: Breaking Free of Belief Traps

Cognitive therapy is a sensible, rational approach to psychological and behavioral change that concentrates on getting you to think critically about the negative and destructive beliefs that are interfering with a satisfying and productive life. Though this approach does not work with every kind of psychological problem, the techniques have a high success rate with many troublesome habits, attitudes and behaviors.

Describes eleven common "lifetraps," with a diagnostic test for each, and step-by-step suggestions based on cognitive techniques, for breaking free. The "lifetraps" examined are abandonment, mistrust and abuse, emotional deprivation, social exclusion, dependence, vulnerability, defectiveness, failure, subjugation, unrelenting standards, and entitlement.

This down-to earth book is not a Pollyanna, "power of positive thinking" approach! Rather than telling you to be positive no matter what, it suggests realistic ways to face difficulties squarely and at the same time keep an optimistic frame of mind. Easy to read but based on sound principles, it offers a sensible and highly effective action plan.

You've learned to be a pessimist so you can unlearn it and learn to be an optimist instead, contends Seligman. Using a realistic approach based on clinical and research evidence, he shows you how to recognize your own explanatory style, how it influences your life, and how to change it. Highly readable, with a detailed description of the research studies, it also offers a section on teaching children to be realistic optimists.

Packed with checklists, case studies, and sensible advice about habits and attitudes we can change. Topics include anxiety, depression, phobias, weight control, alcohol, anger.

Step-by-step cognitive exercises and techniques that help you cope with a wide range of everyday problems, from depression to social anxiety and communicating effectively. Highly recommended by many therapists.

Other Approaches to Problems in Living

A holistic approach, bringing together basic information from psychology, medicine, philosophy, spirituality, and science, about actions and attitudes that can increase happiness. Though the style is gentle and poetic, there's no New Age flakism and a liberal reference and bibliography section is included.

Billed as "a new non-drug model for depression, mania and compulsive disorders," it offers an eclectic approach to healing that deals with both emotional and cognitive dimensions. Written in easy-to understand language by a psychologist sympathetic to Peter Breggin's philosophy, it includes tips on how to get off medication as well as many sources of additional information (books, organizations).