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Learn to challenge negative thoughts
Reading the book 'Cognitive Behavioural Therapy For Dummies' will not only help to improve your interactions with other people, it also has the potential to dramatically alter your own thought processes as well.
By taking heed of the advice contained in the book, you will be able to eliminate a lot of stress from your life.
Don't be put off by the reference to 'cognitive behavioural therapy', or CBT as it is commonly referred to, in the book's title.
The book defines CBT as focusing 'on the way people think and act in order to help them overcome their emotional and behavioural problems'.
Just some examples of the sorts of the emotional and behavioural problems that are tackled in the book include anxiety, fear, depression, anger, poor self esteem, lack of confidence, dealing with criticism, and how to handle failure.
Rob Willson and Rhena Branch, the authors of 'Cognitive Behavioural Therapy For Dummies', and who are also both experienced cognitive behavioural therapists themselves, point out that CBT is a 'powerful treatment because it combines scientific, philosophical, and behavioural aspects into one comprehensive approach to understanding and overcoming common psychological problems'.
They also add that a 'defining characteristic of CBT is that it gives you the tools to develop a focused approach. CBT aims to help you move from defined emotional and behavioural problems towards your goals of how you'd like to feel and behave'.
They claim that 'CBT is a goal-directed, systematic, problem-solving approach to emotional problems'.
The contents of the book have been divided into the following five major parts:
1) An introduction to CBT basics. This is where, for example, you can learn how to spot errors in your thinking.
2) Charting the course: defining problems and setting goals. And as strange as it may at first seem, this part of the book shows you how to identify those solutions that actually cause you problems!
3) Putting CBT into action takes you step by step through such emotional minefields as standing up to anxiety, demolishing depression, and overcoming obsessions.
4) The 'looking backwards and moving forwards' section of the book describes how to take a fresh look at your life, and most importantly, what you need to do to develop a healthier and happier life.
5) The last part of the book is simply titled 'The Part of Tens'. As the name suggests, the 'Part of Tens' consists of a series of short chapters that explain ten things that you can do to get your life back on course, for example, there's ten healthy attitudes for living, along with ten ways to lighten up.
The book concludes with a couple of useful appendices.
The first appendix contains the details of organisations, including their Web site addresses, where you can turn to if you need more help. A couple of examples of those organisations are the 'No Panic' organisation and the 'Triumph over Phobia' organisation.
The second appendix is made up of ready-to-fill-in forms that are designed to be used in conjunction with the different practical exercises and activities that are set throughout the book.
For instance, there is a cost-benefit analysis form that you can use to examine the pros and cons that are associated with changing some aspect of how you think and act. Filling out this form can definitely help you to determine your level of commitment to change.
Best of all, you can conveniently photocopy these forms as many times as needed without ever having to write in your own copy of the book.
In summing up this book, let me just say that you're a real dummy if you don't take full advantage of what this particular book has to offer in terms of practical advice and realistic strategies for living a better life!
To find out more about 'Cognitive Behavioural Therapy For Dummies', or to purchase a copy of the book
