From Library Journal
Cognitive behavioral therapy is based on the idea that our thoughts and our interpretations of events greatly influence our moods. Therapists teach clients to listen to their negative internal dialogs and to use less depressive "self-talk." Clients may also be given "homework" in the form of relaxation exercises for anxiety or gradual acclimatization to frightening situations. The emphasis is on changing thoughts and actions, not on understanding their origins. Getting Your Life Back and Self-Coaching are both based on this approach. The latter, by clinical psychologist Luciani, advises readers to identify themselves as specific personality types (e.g., "Worrywarts," "Hedgehogs," "Perfectionists") and then gives specific instructions on how to change these thought patterns. The title by Wright and Basco, a psychiatrist/educator and a clinical psychologist/researcher, respectively, examines various psychological areas (e.g., thinking, action, biology, relationships, and spirituality) and invites readers to work on these areas in any order with valuable, morale-boosting checklists and examples. Getting Your Life Back is the better of the two because it discusses antidepressants and because the authors' instructions and exercises are much more thorough. Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
The prevailing therapeutic value of trying to change cognitive thought processes in order to ward off depression and anxiety is not new. However, the approach in this book puts the primary responsibility for making the change on the sufferer of either condition. For those who are uncomfortable with the thought of entering therapy or using medication, the self-coaching work here may be just the ticket to greater freedom from depression and anxiety. (There are a few useful self-tests.) As an alternative to traditional psychiatric options, the self-coaching and "self-talk" prescribed in the book may work to talk oneself out of temporary mild or moderate depression. Sufferers of major clinical depression might want to combine the approach here with therapy or medication. A viable option for the self-help section of library collections. Marlene Chamberlain
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


From Book News, Inc.
A lay guide to easing anxiety and depression by using positive self- talk. It describes how to redirect the angst-producing anticipation of bad consequences into more objective and constructive channels. The guide uses exercises and training logs to help people become more aware of patterns in their thinking; Luciani divides these patterns into the whimsical categories of worrywart, hedgehog, turtle, chameleon, perfectionist, and the guilt-sensitive. Luciani is a clinical psychologist who also wrote Healing your habits.Copyright © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR


Review
"I am a tireless advocate for taking responsibility for your actions and your life. It's sometimes hard to do, especially for people who are lugging a lot of emotional baggage from childhood. Dr. Luciani's book is a clear, concise blueprint for those who want to leave their history behind and move toward emotional health." --Laura Schlessinger, Ph.D., New York Times bestselling author of Ten Stupid Things Women Do to Mess Up Their Lives "Self-Coaching is a groundbreaking, fast-paced, action-oriented new training program for dealing with mild to moderate anxiety and depression. Self-Coaching is a dramatic and fresh departure from traditional therapeutic approaches and a motivational training program for reclaiming life by breaking the habits that feed these problems."—Harold H. Bloomfield, M.D., New York Times bestselling author of Making Peace with Your Past and Healing Anxiety Naturally


Book Description
"A groundbreaking, fast-paced, action-oriented new training program for dealing with mild to moderate anxiety and depression, Self-Coaching is a dramatic and fresh departure from traditional therapeutic approaches and a motivational training program." –Harold H. Bloomfield, M.D., New York Times bestselling author of Making Peace with Your Past and Healing Anxiety Naturally "An excellent contribution to the self-help literature, Self-Coaching provides the reader with powerful tools to heal anxiety and depression. Dr. Luciani’s message is clear and important: You can be your own coach and take charge of your life. If you really want to help yourself, buy this book and use it."–Sam Menahem, Ph.D., author of When Therapy Isn’t Enough A Powerful New Program to Beat Anxiety and Depression You can feel better, starting right now! Whether you’re anxious or depressed, this innovative book will teach you how to change your way of thinking and improve your life. Using the revolutionary concept of Self-coaching, you’ll follow simple steps that will help you overcome the thought patterns that lead to anxiety and depression. As you achieve a positive outlook, you’ll learn how to maintain balance, clarity, and spontaneity each and every day at home, at work, and in all your relationships. Self-Coaching will inspire, motivate, and liberate you. Dr. Luciani’s approach has been proven time and again by his patients. And now he can help you too! Self-Coaching will show you how to: Develop a fresh way of thinking, leading to a healthy, adaptive way of living Follow winning strategies so you can accomplish what you want in life Use the self-talk technique to coach yourself back to health


From the Publisher
"I am a tireless advocate for taking responsibility for your actions and your life. It's sometimes hard to do, especially for people who are lugging a lot of emotional baggage from childhood. Dr. Luciani's book is a clear, concise blueprint for those who want to leave their history behind and move toward emotional health." --Laura Schlessinger, Ph.D., New York Times bestselling author of Ten Stupid Things Women Do to Mess Up Their Lives "Self-Coaching is a groundbreaking, fast-paced, action-oriented new training program for dealing with mild to moderate anxiety and depression. Self-Coaching is a dramatic and fresh departure from traditional therapeutic approaches and a motivational training program for reclaiming life by breaking the habits that feed these problems."—Harold H. Bloomfield, M.D., New York Times bestselling author of Making Peace with Your Past and Healing Anxiety Naturally


From the Back Cover
"A groundbreaking, fast-paced, action-oriented new training program for dealing with mild to moderate anxiety and depression, Self-Coaching is a dramatic and fresh departure from traditional therapeutic approaches and a motivational training program." –Harold H. Bloomfield, M.D., New York Times bestselling author of Making Peace with Your Past and Healing Anxiety Naturally "An excellent contribution to the self-help literature, Self-Coaching provides the reader with powerful tools to heal anxiety and depression. Dr. Luciani’s message is clear and important: You can be your own coach and take charge of your life. If you really want to help yourself, buy this book and use it."–Sam Menahem, Ph.D., author of When Therapy Isn’t Enough A Powerful New Program to Beat Anxiety and Depression You can feel better, starting right now! Whether you’re anxious or depressed, this innovative book will teach you how to change your way of thinking and improve your life. Using the revolutionary concept of Self-coaching, you’ll follow simple steps that will help you overcome the thought patterns that lead to anxiety and depression. As you achieve a positive outlook, you’ll learn how to maintain balance, clarity, and spontaneity each and every day at home, at work, and in all your relationships. Self-Coaching will inspire, motivate, and liberate you. Dr. Luciani’s approach has been proven time and again by his patients. And now he can help you too! Self-Coaching will show you how to: Develop a fresh way of thinking, leading to a healthy, adaptive way of living Follow winning strategies so you can accomplish what you want in life Use the self-talk technique to coach yourself back to health


About the Author
JOSEPH J. LUCIANI, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist with over twenty-five years of experience. He is a well-known lecturer and has appeared on national television and radio programs. He lives in New Jersey.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A powerful new guide to healing anxiety and depressionThis book introduces the revolutionary concept of self-coaching that will appeal to a very broad market. Nearly everyone has suffered from mild anxiety or depression at some point in his or her life, and a very large percentage of people suffer from clinical anxiety or depression. The effects of these two illnesses can be devastating. In this inspiring, practical book, readers will learn tools that will help them overcome many cases of anxiety and depression without having to see a therapist or take medication. Written by a clinical psychologist with twenty-two years of experience in private practice, Self-Coaching gives readers a positive motivational technique called Self-talk to heal themselves. Self-Coaching presents the dramatic stories of Dr. Luciani's patients, along with his own story of suffering from anxiety. Providing simple and practical psychological action steps, Dr. Luciani's unique coaching and motivational program teaches readers how to break through the patterns of thinking that feed anxiety and depression. Once they break through, Self-Coaching shows how a healthy, adaptive way of living can become a realistic choice.

Joseph Luciani, PhD (Cresskill, NJ), is a clinical psychologist in full-time private practice. A popular lecturer, he has appeared on many radio and television shows.

SYNOPSIS

A lay guide to easing anxiety and depression by using positive self- talk. It describes how to redirect the angst-producing anticipation of bad consequences into more objective and constructive channels. The guide uses exercises and training logs to help people become more aware of patterns in their thinking; Luciani divides these patterns into the whimsical categories of worrywart, hedgehog, turtle, chameleon, perfectionist, and the guilt-sensitive. Luciani is a clinical psychologist who also wrote Healing your habits. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal