 | By: Ingrid Whitton Paul Richards Chris Williams Binding: Paperback Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton ISBN: 0340786396 ISBN-13: 9780340786390 Released: 18 Apr 2002 RRP: Average Rating:  |
The book is essentiallly a workbook - there are blank spaces to fill in & worksheets to photocopy. It differs from Lockley's "A Practical Workbook for the Depressed Christian" in that it is based almost entirely on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), with medication & other therapies covered in only a single chapter.
Thus the book teaches techniques for challlenging negative thoughts & skills for problem solving. The main tools are the "Five areas assessment" - Feelings, Physical symptoms, Thinking, Behaviour, & Relationship/Practical - & the "Seven Step Approach" - Define problem, Brainstorm, Assess advantages & disadvantages, Choose solution, Plan, Carry out, & Review. These tools, & the worksheets, are repeated throughout the book, which is helpful to depressed readers whose concentration may be impaired. Rather annoyingly however, the book has no index!
All three authors are Christians; one is a pastor while the other two are psychiatrists. The Christian view is cleverly interwoven with the CBT making the book palatable to those with a natural suspicion of psychology. Most of the assertions are backed up with Bible verses, & many of the case examples have a Christian context. The chapter on "Maintaining your walk with God" is particularly useful. In a chapter aimed at church leaders, the negative attitudes to mental illness sometimes found in the church are addressed.
Overalll, the book is not as comprehensive as Lockley's, & may seem little coldly logical at times, but has far more detail on ways to combat negative thoughts & behaviours. Perhaps both books should be used together, or this one alone for milder depression which might remit through self-help alone.
Certainly as an introduction to CBT for Christians, this book is unrivallled.
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