Books to support CBT treatment

Here are some books and workbooks that we recommend which will complement your CBT therapy. 

We can particularly recommend” Mind Over Mood” as it’s proven to help depressed and anxious patients overcome their difficulties, in and out of formal therapy.  We have used this book with many patients who have mixed anxiety and depressive states.

One client who used ‘Mind Over Mood‘ wrote:

“This an excellent self-help guide to depression and anxiety. I have been diagnosed with depression for one and a half years now, and this book was recommended by my GP. I have used it at all the different stages of not getting out of bed, to going back to work, and still when I have setbacks. It takes you by the hand looking at your thoughts, where they have come from and most importantly how to challenge them. I have recommended this book to several people, who have all bought it and found it a great help. To gain from this book you have to want to get out the black hole you feel you are in, this book offers a lifeline.”

Two other workbooks we regularly use with patients are Overcoming Depression – A Five Areas Approach and “Overcoming Anxiety – A Five Areas Approach”, both by Chris Williams.

These books are helpful for patients with specific disorders of depression or anxiety. They guide you through the steps you can take to address issues such as panic, agoraphobia, phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Generalised Anxiety Disorder or worry, and physical health anxieties.

You’ll learn to improve your problem-solving abilities, be more assertive, change unhelpful thinking, overcome avoidance, overcome unhelpful behaviours, overcome sleep problems, and plan for a better future; as well understanding why you’re using substances (legal, illegal and prescription) to cope with your feelings.

We also recommend other books from the “Overcoming…” series.  All the authors are renowned Cognitive Behavioural Therapists, and the books feature useful exercises which will help you understand your behaviour.  

Patients, patients’ relatives and friends have also found them useful in understanding more about various conditions.  These books are under £6.50 from Amazon, so we think they are excellent value.

Further reading: