The Reference Library - July 2023

 

The first book I'll talk about in the Reference Library series is, by a long-shot, the book I have recommended and loaned most frequently to clients over the years. It would be understandable for someone to raise their eyebrows at the publishing date of the book, but it's a classic.

Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy

By: Dr. David D. Burns, M.D.

This book is a wonderful guide for clients and therapists alike. It explains our foundational understanding of mood disorders (depression is the focus here, but it applies equally to anxiety and Dr. Burns does so in some of his other books) from a cognitive behavioural perspective. When I first read this book, in my early 20s and long before I became a therapist, it was life changing! Understanding the specific ways that anxiety and depression can change how your brain thinks about things is an essential ingredient in empowering people to reclaim their mental health. 

You are not your thoughts.

Your thoughts can be affected by mental health challenges in ways that make those illnesses self-reinforcing. 

Part of the recovery journey will be found in identifying, and separating, the thought processes that are genuinely yours (based on your goals, priorities, and values) from those that belong to the depression or anxiety.

Understanding this, having language to express it, is key.

There are many books out there on the topic of CBT and mood disorders. I find that others tend to be either too clinical (written for therapists and academics, not clients) or over-simplified (self-help books that don't give people enough credit for being able to understand the concepts). In this book, Dr. Burns does a good job of using simple language to explain the concepts in a way that is both accessible and that does not sacrifice nuance to do so.

Thanks Dr. Burns!

As an aside, I had the opportunity to take some training with Dr. Burns about a decade ago and he was very gracious while I fan-girled about how life-changing his book was. Because of that, I feel double-good about making this recommendation.

If you've been struggling lately with something that feels like depression, anxiety, or a mix of the two, and you'd like to talk to someone about it, I encourage you to do so! It's amazing what a difference a conversation with a professional can make.

If you live in Alberta, feel free to check out my website, Calder Mental Health Services, to see if I might be the right person to help you. If you live elsewhere, search online for a licensed health professional who has experience in cognitive-behaviour therapy.

Enjoy,

Petrina