Posted by Jonathan on November 30, 2002, at 14:48:06
In reply to not sure which David Burns book to give, posted by ignored on November 29, 2002, at 19:18:48
... my recommendation, as an introduction to CBT for someone who enjoys worksheets, would be "Mind Over Mood" by Greenberger and Padesky. If your friend likes this book's approach and wishes later to learn more, from a more theoretical standpoint, there's a companion book written primarily (but not exclusively) for therapists called "Clinician's Guide to Mind Over Mood". If you follow the Amazon links you can view sample pages of both and decide for yourself whether "Mind Over Mood" is likely to be to your friend's taste. There are plenty of worksheets, which are essential for anyone wishing to obtain the greatest benefit from the book.
Two therapists working for the British NHS independently advised me to buy "Mind Over Mood" and work through it on my own to while away the two years I had to spend on a waiting list for therapy.
I don't know David Burns's books well, but my first impression, from leafing through a copy of "Feeling Good" in a bookshop, was that his style is too gratingly upbeat, facile and condescending for my taste; the more depressed I might feel - and the more I might need a good CBT manual - the more irritating I should find his approach. That is, however, only my personal opinion and perhaps influenced by my low mood at the time: his books are very popular and highly spoken of by many, and the Amazon sample pages from "Feeling Good" look better to me today than I expected. I still prefer "Mind Over Mood", though.
You might also find it helpful to look at David Burns's website - http://www.feelinggood.com/ .
Please let us know which book you finally choose (perhaps after Christmas, to ensure that the gift is a surprise for your friend).
Best wishes,
Jonathan.
poster:Jonathan
thread:1696
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20021109/msgs/1699.html