Workbooks for therapy

sunrise · Mar 26, 2012 at 11:42 PM

Has anyone used any workbooks in therapy that they would recommend?

I'm trying to gather some resources for either self-help or that could be used together with therapy. The workbook topics would be the sort of thing one might work on in therapy such as anxiety, depression, learning to express one's feelings, regulate one's emotions, manage anger, communicate better, etc.

I'm also curious about how you used the workbook. Did you do it for therapy "homework" or use it in session? Or on your own independently from therapy?

Any leads are appreciated. Thanks!

ECHOES · Mar 27, 2012 at 12:19 AM

I briefly and loosely used a book called "SOS Help for Emotions" managing anxiety, anger, & depression by Lynn Clark PhD. His extensive experience is in community mental health centers and community agencies.

It's an easy to use book, straightforward and REBT style. Albert Ellis, founder of REBT, describes it: "Beautifully captures the spirit of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy in concise, evocative, and humorous language." It has quizzes and exercises.

It is a good way to learn about emotions, emotional regulation, and to learn that we have choices about how to respond, and that we can learn about and challenge our responses.

CantExplain · Mar 27, 2012 at 01:30 AM

Chopin is doing a workbook on boundaries right now. Have you seen her posts?

Mar 27, 2012 at 01:08 PM

There is a workbook I utilized a long time ago. It asks one question a week for a year. Mostly about healing from csa
"Beyond Survival" by Maureen Brady. I found it in a used book store.
very helpful to me at the time

Perna · Mar 27, 2012 at 01:16 PM

I like Dr. Tucker-Ladd's online book: http://www.psychologicalselfhelp.org/ as it covers "all" subjects and has excellent references and ideas for further study. I like that it is online and can be downloaded, both, and is free so one can use it alone or with a therapist or group, etc.

likelife · Mar 27, 2012 at 01:53 PM

I went through "Mind over Mood" years and years ago. It's a CBT workbook for depression. I personally hated it (so, sorry this isn't particularly helpful), but then again, I tend to balk at my emotional life being reduced to worksheets.

That said, I did just comment on one of stopdog's posts about DBT handouts. I should say that I found those helpful more from an informational, than a "workbook" standpoint.

mend · Mar 27, 2012 at 02:45 PM

on what subject or area sunrise?

Mar 27, 2012 at 03:14 PM

I really like this book, which my T and I are doing together. It's based on the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model. But as you can see from the title, it doesn't require a T. In addition to the questions at the end of the chapter the book has an accompanying website with additional worksheets.

Jay Earley, PhD, Self-Therapy: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Wholeness and Healing Your Inner Child Using IFS, A New, Cutting-Edge Psychotherapy

SoupDragon · Mar 27, 2012 at 03:30 PM

Do you mean just general psych books, or specifically those with a detailed programme to work through?

sittingatwatersedge · Mar 27, 2012 at 04:32 PM

I tried only one, and hated hated hated it. so I won't give you the title!

but I did see Claudia Black's "Repeat After Me' - about ACOA - and thought it was very interesting (although T1 had no interest in using it with me).
http://www.amazon.com/Repeat-After-M...2884263&sr=1-1

Chopin99 · Mar 27, 2012 at 05:00 PM

This is the one I'm going through:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/boun...aries+workbook

sunrise · Mar 27, 2012 at 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mend

on what subject or area sunrise?

The sorts of issues one might work on in therapy, such as feeling better, depression, anxiety, learning to express feelings, learning to manage emotions, communication skills, anger, relaxation, building social skills, etc.

sunrise · Mar 27, 2012 at 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoupDragon

Do you mean just general psych books, or specifically those with a detailed programme to work through?

Not general psych books, but books that I think of as "workbooks", with worksheets in them, or graphical organizers, or exercises to work through. Something that is quite concrete, rather than books that emphasize psychological theories, discussion of research findings, etc.

sunrise · Mar 27, 2012 at 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chopin99

This is the one I'm going through:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/boun...aries+workbook

This looks really interesting, Chopin. Thanks. It is all about setting boundaries (for those who didn't click on the link).

sunrise · Mar 27, 2012 at 08:59 PM

These are some great ideas, everyone. Thank you very much! I am going to look some of the suggestions up.

I've not been specific about what I'm looking for because I'm trying to identify resources in a number of areas. I think CBT and DBT workbooks would be of interest (I know little about practical exercises that accompany these approaches), mindfulness, stress reduction, dealing with anxiety, dealing with feelings that seem overwhelming, dealing with social phobia.

Also, a particular interest I haven't seen workbooks or exercises on is helping those who don't know they have feelings learn that they have them, learn to express them, etc. I've heard one way to start is doing a body scan guided meditation. Looking for other ideas on this..

sunrise · Mar 27, 2012 at 09:04 PM

Has anyone heard of The Feeling Good Handbook by David Burns and would recommend it (or pan it)?
http://www.amazon.com/Feeling-Good-H...tt_at_ep_dpt_2

Chopin99 · Mar 28, 2012 at 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunrise

This looks really interesting, Chopin. Thanks. It is all about setting boundaries (for those who didn't click on the link).

It's good; the only caveat is that it takes a overtly religious view of the subject. I am Christian and it's a bit much even for me, but there is enough practicality to gain benefit from the workbook and the book itself (gotta have both)!

Mar 28, 2012 at 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunrise

Has anyone heard of The Feeling Good Handbook by David Burns and would recommend it (or pan it)?
http://www.amazon.com/Feeling-Good-H...tt_at_ep_dpt_2

apparently it is supposed to be very good. i read about ten-fifteen pages of it and threw it across the room

, then donated it.

just not my cup of tea!!!

Perna · Mar 28, 2012 at 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbmomg

and threw it across the room

Oh! Love that kind of book

I did that multiple times with Napkin Notes: On the Art of Living http://www.amazon.com/Napkin-Notes-O.../dp/0960255206, my favorite psych book of all time.

sunrise · Mar 28, 2012 at 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perna

Oh! Love that kind of book

I did that multiple times with Napkin Notes: On the Art of Living http://www.amazon.com/Napkin-Notes-O.../dp/0960255206, my favorite psych book of all time.

This sounds really good. I'm going to order it. Perna, one of the reader reviews on Amazon says the person threw it across the room. Could that be you?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbmomg

apparently it is supposed to be very good. i read about ten-fifteen pages of it and threw it across the room

, then donated it.

just not my cup of tea!!!

I am really curious about the response of throwing a book across the room.

Is it because the material was totally irrelevant to you and so was annoying? Like, "yeah, right, this is sooo not going to help me!"

I have a few books on ADHD and some are definitely more helpful to me than others. The really practical ones are helpful to me, with tips and clear ideas on how to implement. The ones that have not been helpful for me say stuff like "let's look at the real reason you are procrastinating, let's dig deep and discover why you do this to yourself." I tend to like to go deep, but yet there are some things I don't want to dig deep on. I just want to fix them, and if keeping lists and setting timers will help me be better organized, that's all I need.

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CantExplain Big Poppa Member Since Oct 2011 Location: New Zealand Posts: 19,616 (SuperPoster!) 12 19.7k hugs given	Mar 27, 2012 at 01:30 AM #3 Chopin is doing a workbook on boundaries right now. Have you seen her posts? __________________ Mr Ambassador, alias Ancient Plax, alias Captain Therapy, alias Big Poppa, alias Secret Spy, etc. Add that to your tattoo, Baby!
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anonymous31613 Guest Posts: n/a	Mar 27, 2012 at 01:08 PM #4 There is a workbook I utilized a long time ago. It asks one question a week for a year. Mostly about healing from csa "Beyond Survival" by Maureen Brady. I found it in a used book store. very helpful to me at the time
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Perna Pandita-in-training Member Since Sep 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 27,289 (SuperPoster!) 18 550 hugs given	Mar 27, 2012 at 01:16 PM #5 I like Dr. Tucker-Ladd's online book: http://www.psychologicalselfhelp.org/ as it covers "all" subjects and has excellent references and ideas for further study. I like that it is online and can be downloaded, both, and is free so one can use it alone or with a therapist or group, etc. __________________ "Never give a sword to a man who can't dance." ~Confucius
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mend Member Member Since Mar 2012 Location: U.S Posts: 21 12 3 hugs given	Mar 27, 2012 at 02:45 PM #7 on what subject or area sunrise? __________________ “I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!” ― Dr. Seuss
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SoupDragon Elder Member Since Oct 2010 Location: in a cave Posts: 6,977 13 1,099 hugs given	Mar 27, 2012 at 03:30 PM #9 Do you mean just general psych books, or specifically those with a detailed programme to work through? __________________ Soup
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sittingatwatersedge - - - Member Since Nov 2008 Posts: 15,166 (SuperPoster!) 15 1,345 hugs given	Mar 27, 2012 at 04:32 PM #10 I tried only one, and hated hated hated it. so I won't give you the title! but I did see Claudia Black's "Repeat After Me' - about ACOA - and thought it was very interesting (although T1 had no interest in using it with me). http://www.amazon.com/Repeat-After-M...2884263&sr=1-1
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Chopin99 Elder Member Since Dec 2009 Location: Southeastern US Posts: 5,221 14 3,569 hugs given	Mar 27, 2012 at 05:00 PM #11 This is the one I'm going through: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/boun...aries+workbook __________________ *Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. - Henry David Thoreau*
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sunrise Legendary Member Since Jan 2007 Location: U.S. Posts: 10,383 17 106 hugs given	Mar 27, 2012 at 09:04 PM #16 Has anyone heard of The Feeling Good Handbook by David Burns and would recommend it (or pan it)? http://www.amazon.com/Feeling-Good-H...tt_at_ep_dpt_2 __________________ *"Therapists are experts at developing therapeutic relationships."*
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