Cognitive Therapy and the Emotional Disorders

Rating:
Summary: If you're considering psychotherapy, begin here!
Review: A basic introduction to cognitive therapy by its most prominent founder. After 21 years, still the most-cited book on the subject -- and the one I most often recommend to new patients. Cognitive therapy (including its extended form, cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT) has an unmatched track record for getting results. In this book Dr. Aaron Beck explains clearly and persuasively just how and why it works. For additional book recommendations and other basic information on CBT, you're welcome to visit my homepage at http://www.cognitivetherapy.com

Rating:
Summary: An Accomplished Piece - but not really for lay readers
Review: Dr Beck's book is particularly comprehensive and advances a strong argument for the establishment of Cognitive Therapy - it is, of course, accepted now as a valuable tool in the fight against the various anxiety/emotional disorders.

The book itself is directed towards the academic or professional reader and, although it is useful for the interested lay reader, I found the book to have excessive "psychobabble". On numerous occasions I found myself saying that a much simpler language would have sufficed. Furthermore there is a hint of patronisation running through the text - again indicating that the book is not really for lay readers.

Notwithstanding, the book is more than 20 years old yet is still a landmark in its field. Recommended for the student but only for the (already) well-informed lay reader.

Rating:
Summary: Feeling Good starts here
Review: Dr. Beck provides a great introduction to his thinking and methodology for approaching depression. As opposed to psychoanalysis and psychopharmacology, he sets out a system of treating depression through cognition (changing the thought patterns that lead to harmful mood changes), that is useful for short term treatments and alleviating milder occurances. I find this approach useful for treating the symptoms of negative thoughts, but use a psychotherapist to discern, identify, and understand my long term depressive habits and origins. If you find this book of use in helping you stop a depressive cycle, then I would recommend Feeling Good by David Burns.