Coping with / advice about mental health issues or topics Books

Book SynopsisDifficult experiences are unavoidable; transform your resilience in three simple steps.Contrary to long-held belief, trauma is not only caused by exposure to a single, extreme event. The cumulative effect of common stressors that we encounter in our day-to-day lives can have an equally significant impact on our mental and physical well-being. From difficult childhoods, to bereavements, pregnancy and childbirth, and even stressful jobs, traumas - both large and small - are a part of life we can't control, but we can change the way we respond to them.In Everyday Trauma, distinguished neuroscientist Dr Tracey Shors draws on over thirty years of research to explain how your mind and body responds to trauma and how you can take control. Her science-based, three-step method is designed to help you process any kind of personal trauma from your past, reverse your symptoms and strengthen your resilience for stressors in your future. Its beauty is in its simplicity; by practicing her three simple mental and physical steps in combination twice a week, research has shown you can reduce the ruminative thoughts that trauma so often leaves us with, and avoid the trap of ongoing mental struggles such as anxiety, depression, insomnia and PTSD.Whether you can access formal therapy or not, in this important book Dr Tracey Shors has provided the tools for you to help yourself through traumas in your past, present and future. No matter what life throws at you, you can take positive steps to heal your mind for a better life.Trade ReviewShors's research is impressive, and she effectively explains the complicated relationship between trauma and memory ... a fine introduction to the workings of trauma. * Publishers Weekly *In Everyday Trauma, Dr. Shors maps a path for recovery based on her deep knowledge of neuroscience and courageous compassion. This meditative 'fit for life' path of brain repair and restoration can enrich every moment, anywhere, anytime. -- Roberta Diaz Brinton, Regents professor of pharmacology and neurology, University of ArizonaEveryday Trauma is an engaging book that informs the reader about the brain and bodily processes underlying emotional trauma, as well as effective treatments for the consequences of trauma. Tracey Shors, a highly recognised neuroscientist, presents the scientific evidence clearly and crisply and buttresses the findings with fascinating personal stories. Anyone interested in understanding emotional trauma should have this book. -- James L. McGaugh, author of Memory and EmotionsAn accessible, exciting and valuable description of a complex and important issue in mental health: the effects of trauma/stress on depression and anxiety - particularly in women - as mediated by ruminative thought patterns. It draws from many diverse areas of research and presents a beautifully developed analysis suggesting the value of specific mental and physical (MAP) activities to increase resilience to trauma: fascinating from a research perspective; potentially important in all of our lives! -- Caroline Blanchard, Emeritus Professor, University of Hawaii

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Book SynopsisAnxiety can feel like a huge number of different things to a huge variety of people. No matter the experience, they all have one thing in common: feeling anxiety is never fun. If you're looking to manage your anxious feelings and reduce your stress, this is the book for you. Written by a therapist who specializes in helping people navigate anxiety, the chapters contain 25 creative tools specifically designed to help reduce anxiety in five key areas: stress, social anxiety, anxious thoughts, self-esteem and the future.The tools draw on CBT, mindfulness, narrative therapy, positive psychology and more, and every single one is focused on giving practical advice and simple steps that you can take today to reduce your anxiety and boost your self-esteem.Trade ReviewAs a creative professional, I appreciate these easy-to-use tools that can be applied to so many daily stressful situations! -- Camille Brown, film directorAfter reading Risa Williams' The Ultimate Anxiety Toolkit, I found myself immediately underlining and highlighting various tidbits of her advice. Every day I read her book hungrily with a devotion to knowing that she is helping me have a better experience of myself. Her book has made my life much easier! If you're looking for practical solutions for anxiety, purchase this book! -- Miguel Chavez, Actor, 'A.P. Bio' (NBC)Everyone is anxious sometimes, so everyone can benefit from The Ultimate Anxiety Toolkit. The exercises are simple, practical and immediate and the neuroscience nuggets tell you how they work. The affirmations aren't pie-in-the sky daydreams. They're statements you make come true with the help of Risa Williams' toolbox. -- Christina Elston, Editor of L.A. Parent MagazineWilliams helps us find the fun in combating our daily anxieties. It's a brilliant approach. Her tools spark our creativity and help us realize that small shifts in our thinking can lower our stress levels. Her sharing of personal anecdotes makes her relatable and puts the reader at ease. This is the sort of self-help book that makes you feel like you can truly change your life and smile while doing it. -- Ezra Werb, Educational Therapist and Author of 'Teach for Attention! A Tool Belt of Strategies for Engaging Students with Attention Challenges'Can coping with anxiety really be fun? With this anxiety toolkit, it certainly is! Tools such as Task-Extractors, Brain Bouncing, and Shrink-Rays make scientifically grounded strategies easily digestible, creative, and even entertaining. Risa Williams has transformed an overwhelming chore of tackling anxiety into succinct, light-hearted, actionable strategies that are useful at any age. -- Erica Curtis, LMFT, board certified art therapist, author of 'The Innovative Parent: Raising Connected, Happy, Successful Kids through Art'Williams' book is filled with imaginative, creative ways to manage all sorts of anxiety with concrete, clear strategies you can try. It's an easy-going read, and it has thoughtful personal antidotes that help make understanding anxiety relatable, and worksheets that help provide insight. I highly recommend this book! -- Eden Byrne, LMFT (licensed marriage and family therapist and EMDR practitioner)Risa Williams is the ultimate battery recharger. In The Ultimate Anxiety Toolkit, she provides a step-by-step roadmap to transmute anxiety into accomplishment and fear into action. Loaded with neuroscience nuggets these exercises and short chapters provide practical advice for increasing confidence and writing yourself a new narrative. -- Mike Sonksen, Professor and Author of 'Letters to My City'Anxiety, like enthusiasm, is contagious. If you don't want to spread it to those you lead, you need to overcome your own. Williams' book offers easy instructions for doing that. And who can't use some anxiety-reducing advice in the workplace these days? -- Forbes Magazine, "7 Books to Boost Your Overall Well-Being"

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Book Synopsis'A must read' JAMIE WINDUST'A beautifully honest book' JUNO ROCHE'A superb and necessary book' BEN PECHEYAs a young, queer, plus-size person, Essie Dennis has spent a lot of time feeling like they weren't enough - not queer enough, not feminine enough, not perfect enough. When they took to social media to share how they felt, they were overwhelmed by how many others felt the same.I look too masculine to be non-binaryI look too feminine to be a lesbian Am I too fat for drag?Inviting you to challenge accepted beauty standards and the concept of 'the perfect body', Essie takes everything they have learned on their journey to self-acceptance and body satisfaction to help guide you towards loving your queer body. From gender, sexuality and reclaiming your body, through to food, politics, social media and fatphobia, this radical book starts a conversation about body image and mental health that queer people are so often left out of.Fiercely and unapologetically written, and with honest advice and powerful stories from a diverse range of queer people throughout, this is an inspiring and necessary book that will show you that you are enough.Trade ReviewA beautifully honest book packed full of straightforward and practical advice and suggestions for body positivity and queer fabulousness. A wonderfully generous book. -- Juno Roche, author of Queer Sex, Trans Power, and Gender ExplorersEssie's work comes from a place of kindness, honesty and strength and this book is no different. A powerful read and an honest portrayal of the depth and breadth of what this community has to offer, it's a must read for anyone wanting to take time to enhance the connection they have between body, mind and identity. -- Jamie Windust, author, presenter & modelQueer Body Power offers a compassionate and open compendium that allows readers to fully grasp the enormity and complexity of their own bodies in the context of modern systems and structures. Essie Dennis has created a superb and necessary book for all queer people - buy it now kids! -- Ben Pechey - Writer, Author, Speaker, Presenter, and LGBTQ+ AdvocateI cannot recommend this book enough. Whether you yourself identify as queer, or know someone who does, this book is an absolute gift and a wonderful well of knowledge sure to become an instant sensation! -- NetGalley ReviewerQueer Body Power in a nutshell: a must-read non-fiction about queerness and body image issues, which are discussed from a perspective that acknowledges that intersectionality is key.?Books like this one change and save lives. Thank you, Essie, for creating this masterpiece, I'll be forever grateful for it. -- Blue - Disabled & #ActuallyAutistic, queer and trans * Instagram @readandyread *Table of ContentsCONTENTS Introduction In the Beginning, There was You Reclaiming Your Body Sexuality and our Bodies Gender Roles? In This Economy? Our Complex Relationship with Food Unlearning Fatphobia Bodies are Political Social Media and Queer Happiness Saving Ourselves Through Fashion Joyfully Queer Bodies You are Enough

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Book SynopsisThe transgender and gender nonbinary community is forever under siege. Institutional transphobia is enacted by those who would return us to the shadows, the closets, or worse. Surviving Transphobia is an anthology by transgender and gender nonbinary celebrities and experts on endurance during times of severe hostility. We share the moments when we were vulnerable, were bullied, had needs dismissed, or were discriminated against, revealing our determination and how we have (sometimes) managed to thrive. We offer loving support as you brave agony and seek joy. We also speak to our allies.We are activists, actors, athletes, authors, lawyers, doctors, nurses, therapists, sex workers, clergy, diplomats, and military veterans. We are of many ethnicities. We vary socioeconomically, educationally, and geographically. Some are neurodivergent. Several are disabled or have chronic illnesses. A few are HIV+. A small number were born elsewhere. We have survived, here's how. And if we can survive... so can you.Trade ReviewThis is a vital book at a crucial time, executed with such a skilful choice of contributors by Laura. Trans people's lives and safety are being exploited on both sides of the Atlantic by political operators seeking cheap gains at the polls. Their attacks won't win the votes they seek but an account of the harms they are inflicting is overdue. Laura has chosen such a diverse and articulate set of contributors to document the real harm. Anyone who doubts the human cost for a second must read this. A book I wish I'd created myself, but Laura has done it first and done it better. -- Christine Burns, Author of Trans Britain and retired activistTransphobia is everywhere and every transperson is threatened by it, no matter our race, age, class, sexuality, or life path. Surviving Transphobia is unique in giving us both deeply moving memoirs of transphobia from brave trans pioneers-and their strategies for dealing with it. Far from being a book of tragic endings, each and every chapter of this first rate collection sees transphobia conquered, and lucky us-we get to learn from the best how to do it for ourselves. A truly important book for both scholars and for every transperson facing transphobia. -- Kate Bornstein, Author, Gender Outlaw

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Book Synopsis**The People’s Book Prize 2022/23 Shortlisted Title**Are you fed up of feeling tired, wired and unable to manage your mood? Worried that your mental health is having an effect on your relationships or your ability to perform at work?You are not alone.Many successful career women believe they thrive under pressure yet become susceptible to the negative effects of stress. Despite unexplained changes in their health, some ignore the warning signs and burn out. At best this leaves them unable to function and at worst it can lead to infertility, heart attack, stroke or dementia.Antidepressants are frequently offered for the symptoms of burnout but there is another way.In The Burnout Bible, registered nutritionist, functional medicine practitioner and mental health expert Rachel Philpotts shares: A simple 4-step solution to improving your mood naturally, Evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle tips to tackle fatigue and emotional overwhelm, and Quick and easy mood-boosting recipes All designed to help you beat burnout and feel revitalized, reenergized and restored.Trade Review'...a valuable resource for anyone experiencing burnout or looking to prevent it. Rachel Philpotts combines her expertise in nutrition and mental health to provide practical guidance, helping readers address the root causes of burnout and take steps toward recovery. If you're seeking a comprehensive approach to overcoming burnout and reclaiming your well-being, this book is a worthwhile read.' NetGalley * Netgalley *I read a lot of books on health, wellbeing, nutrition and lifestyle. This one really spoke to me and covered a wealth of aspects of managing stress. Not only avoiding burnout, but how to thrive in a culture of chronic stress. A very practical guide, well written and easy meaningful changes to make. The author clearly has a deep knowledge on the subject and provides a proven scientific approach to holistic female health** - Amazon**This is a must read if you’re looking to improve your health naturally! I often find that health & wellbeing books can feel overwhelming (which is the last thing you need when you’re already burnout). Rachel makes scientific principles easy to digest, understand & apply to your own life. I’ve already made some simple changes to my own lifestyle that have had a big impact. - AmazonIf this is your first time learning about the effects of stress on a human body this is a deep dive into the medical aspects...a great crash course for first timers in easy to understand format. Essential for library shelves. - NetGalleyTable of ContentsTable of ContentsIntroductionPart 1: What is Burnout?Chapter 1. The stress factor1.1 Burnout defined1.2 The stress response1.3 The three stages of burnoutChapter 2. Why women experience burnoutChapter 3. The burnout effect3.1 Health conditions associated with burnout3.2 Symptoms to look out forChapter 4. Managing fatigue and emotional overwhelm4.1 The traditional approach4.2 An alternativePart 2: What Is Actually Going OnSection introduction - Getting to the root causeChapter 5. What’s going on in your brainChapter 6. The hidden cycle driving your moodChapter 7. Your cells’ energy engine roomChapter 8. That gut feeling: The role of the Gut-Brain AxisChapter 9. Hormone havocChapter 10. The blood sugar roller coasterChapter 11. The role of inflammation and immune healthChapter 12. Your genesPart 3: What To Do About ItSection introduction – My Mood-Boosting MethodChapter 13. Nourish – the brain and the whole body13.1 A Note on hydration13.2 Fatigue fighting & mood boosting nutrients13.3 Notorious mood disruptersChapter 14. Engage – in physical activities and hobbies14.1 The right exercise14.2 Social connection14.3 Hobbies14.4 When to disengage - The social media drain Chapter 15. Restore – through rest and relaxation15.1 Why you should (self)care15.2 How to identify your stressors15.3 Relaxation tools and techniques15.4 The importance of sleep Chapter 16. Reframe – negative thoughts and limiting beliefs16.1 Limiting beliefs16.2 Check your language16.3 Breaking negative thought patterns16.4 Practising gratitudePart 4: What To Do NextChapter 17. The personalized approachChapter 18. Functional and nutrigenomic testingRecipes (c.20, including:Mood-boosting breakfasts,Grab-and go lunches,Energising dinners, andPick-me-up snack ideas)ResourcesReferencesIndex

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Book SynopsisA practical, supportive and easy-to-read guide to help you understand and overcome stress, filled with helpful tips and actionable advice Feeling overwhelmed? This little book is here to help. How to Understand and Deal with Stress is a friendly, accessible guide with all the information and advice you need to identify the source of your struggles, and to take practical steps to reduce or manage the burden. By learning the science behind stress and understanding how it affects your mind and body, you’ll start to dismantle its hold on you. And with practical ways to manage the condition – including physical, medical and therapeutic perspectives – this book will help you work out the best ways you can support your mental health and improve your overall well-being. By the end of this book, you will: Understand the science behind stress, how it manifests, what causes it, and how to identify symptoms and triggers Be armed with physical and practical steps you can take to alleviate stress, from breathing exercises and healthy lifestyle choices to problem-solving techniques and coping mechanisms Have a host of holistic remedies up your sleeve for when stress strikes, such as mindfulness, visualization and breathwork Know about the medical treatments and therapies available, and know how and when to seek professional help or support With the right knowledge and guidance, you can learn to understand and manage stress so that you can get back to feeling like you again.

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Book SynopsisA practical, supportive and easy-to-read guide to help you understand and overcome social anxiety, filled with helpful tips and actionable advice Feeling overwhelmed? This little book is here to help. How to Understand and Deal with Social Anxiety is a friendly, accessible guide with all the information and advice you need to identify the source of your struggles, and to take practical steps to reduce or manage the burden. By learning the science behind social anxiety and understanding how it affects your mind and body, you’ll start to dismantle its hold on you. And with practical ways to manage the condition – including physical, medical and therapeutic perspectives – this book will help you work out the best ways you can support your mental health and improve your overall well-being. By the end of this book, you will: Understand the science behind social anxiety, how it manifests, what causes it, and how to identify symptoms and triggers Be armed with physical and practical steps you can take to alleviate the symptoms of social anxiety, from breathing exercises and healthy lifestyle choices to problem-solving techniques and coping mechanisms Have a host of holistic remedies up your sleeve for when social anxiety strikes, such as mindfulness, visualization and breathwork Know about the medical treatments and therapies available, and know how and when to seek professional help or support With the right knowledge and guidance, you can learn to understand and manage social anxiety so that you can get back to feeling like you again.Trade Review'Been reading 'How to Understand and Deal with Social Anxiety' by @MitaMistry recently - so helpful, wish I had this when I was younger!' -- Sunny Hundal, Editor at The Independent'Hello everyone, I haven’t been on here in a while but I’ve just come on to share this book: it’s How to Understand and Deal with Social Anxiety by Mita Mistry who is a mental health specialist. It’s a small book, I’ve just started reading it, it’s quite easy to read. Now look, you know, I’ve dealt with mental health issues in the past and I think that, you know, if you can understand where these feelings and thoughts come from – which can sometimes limit us and our capabilities and our potential – anything that helps us, is a good thing, right? And a lot of this can help even young people. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, man or woman, you know, there are tips in here that’ll help us all. Thank you Mita, and good luck with the book!' -- Balvinder Sidhu, TV presenter'Congratulations to the wonderful @MitaMistry on publication of her book on #socialanxiety. We know rates have hugely increased during the pandemic, especially amongst young people. This sets out information in a simple relatable way. Highly recommended for anyone struggling.' -- Binita Kane, Lung Doctor & Member of SAGE'But yeah. It's such an amazing thing to accomplish, writing a book like this, or book, sorry, any book, because I know, I mean, the more condensed you have to make it, the harder it really is, because you have to structure it so well, so that when people open it, they literally find every useful thing possible in that topic. So well done. I'm sure it's been quite the process and yeah. It's such an achievement. And thank you for sending it to me.' -- Mira Manek, Author of Saffron Soul and Prajna, Founder of Chai by Mira'Social anxiety, it’s not something I ever thought I had, but after reading my very dear friend @mutts2017’s debut book there were many things I could relate to. From avoiding conversations I’m nervous about, hiding away when I’m struggling or needing a drink before I go to certain events to ‘loosen up’ Mita hits the nail on the head with this book. If you feel like you suffer social anxiety or just want to learn more, I highly recommend this book. Visit Mita’s bio for links to pre-order this really easy to read book which is released 8 September. On another note, I’m so proud of my friend for writing this. I feel like I’ve been with her on her writing journey and can’t wait to see this book hit the book stands and websites! X' -- Priya Mulji, columnist for Eastern Eye and blogger'An easy read. Read and practice often.' -- Dr Bharat Pankhania, Senior clinical lecturer at University of Exeter Medical School'Mistry helps to destigmatise social anxiety and offers us important tips to help ourselves.' -- Matthew Stadlen, Presenter and Author

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Book SynopsisThe Colour Of Hope is a poetry collection with happiness at its heart. The 45 poems inside were created during lockdown, at a time when finding beauty and comfort in the everyday seemed at once fraught with difficulty and vitally important. Each was written for a specific recipient, based on three things they guaranteed would make them feel happy. I received a wonderful range of briefs. From the beautifully universal – a longing for nature and freedom, time spent with family, summers spent in other lands – to the gloriously specific – snaffling a Toffee Crisp from the fridge late at night, Fleetwood Mac songs, making the perfect scrambled eggs, and Ceilidh dancing. The result is a collection of poems that serves both as a record of this intense and intensely strange year, and as an uplifting reading experience that will connect and resonate with a much wider audience than the individuals they were initially written for. 2020 will be one for the history books, a year that has created emergencies on many fronts, not least the emotional. 60% of adults, and 68% of young people in the UK reported a decline in their mental health during lockdown. Mental health charities are working harder than ever to provide support to the vulnerable and in need, and every little helps. As such, 20% from the sale of this book will be donated to Mind, to help provide a bit of light in these uncertain times. Hope comes in many shapes and colours, and it’s my hope that you’ll find some of your own pieces of happiness, comfort and, yes, hope within these pages.

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Book Synopsis'Sensitively and seriously exploring mental health stereotypes' StylistThis is NOT a book of rules or statistics. It will NOT tell you what you can and can't say to someone with a mental health problem – or to anyone for that matter. It WILL increase your understanding and empower you to stop stigma in its tracks.Take a deep-dive into some of the most harmful mental health stereotypes with mental health advocate and author Lucy Nichol. Lucy exposes 10 of the most harmful mental health stereotypes and explores the impact of social media, the power of the press and how mental health is represented in popular culture. With the help of experts and the voices of those affected by these harmful perspectives, Lucy makes a case for how we can dismantle stigma once and for all.Foreword by Sue Baker OBE. Contributors include: Natasha Devon MBE, Jonny Benjamin MBE, Hope Virgo, Cara Lisette and Dr Craig Malkin.Trade Review'Sensitively and seriously exploring mental health stereotypes' * Stylist *'Exploring the role of pop culture, the press and social media, [Lucy Nichol] breaks down stereotypes and champions the bravery of people who speak about their emotions' * Woman's Own *'A much-needed, no-nonsense guide to tackling mental health stigma' -- Denise Welch'Punchy and kind – a great mix. Like a steely snowflake' -- Andrea McLean'Educational, funny, eye-opening and very readable. It should be read by everyone' * Narc Magazine *'A breezy book that nevertheless travels through turbulent waters. Incisive and funny and very useful for anyone who has found themselves caught up in the hyperbole of the culture wars' -- Robin Ince

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Book SynopsisAfter a decade of living with panic attacks and anxiety, Tim Clare made a promise to himself - he would try everything he could to get better, every method and medicine.His year of treatments took him from anti-depressants to hypnosis, running to extreme diets, ice baths to faecal transplants. At the end of it he discovers what helps him (and what doesn't), and what might help others. Most of all, he comes to rethink anxiety and encourages all of us to do the same.Trade ReviewA clever blend of memoir, science and useful advice . . . what really resonates is his honest account of his own panic attacks and what it is like to try to come off sertraline . . . a brave and moving book - one that offers lots of practical help * * Independent, Books of the Month * *This is the best book I've ever read on anxiety, health and being an anxious person on this planet . . . [a] gift of a book -- EMMA GANNONFascinating, thought-provoking, vulnerable and generous, Coward is an important book. I wish everyone would read it -- CATHY RENTZENBRINKIt's a meditation on the science and purpose of anxiety, its function and the disability it causes. It's reassuring and funny in equal measure -- DR CHRIS VAN TULLEKENA rigorous, sceptical and jolly account of anxiety, its causes, and how it might be cured * * The Times * *Tim Clare may call himself a coward but this brave and beautiful memoir proves he's anything but. This isn't a manifesto or self-help book - instead Coward is a darkly comic, deftly researched and devastatingly moving meditation on the pain and self-loathing of anxiety and the redemptive power of love to help us change our minds. This is a must-read for all of us trying to stay sane in an increasingly distressing world -- SUSANNAH CAHALANSuch a tonic. Funny, honest, moving - meticulously researched. I'm learning loads. I think it will help a lot of people -- NATHAN FILERFunny, fascinating, brilliant and brave, Coward isn't a self-help guide to beating anxiety - it's far more valuable than that -- MELISSA HARRISON

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Book Synopsis'Where have all my friends gone?'When Max Dickins decided to propose to his girlfriend, he realised there was no one he could call on to be his best man. He quickly learned that he wasn't the only man struggling with friendships. For decades, countless studies from across the world have confirmed that men have fewer close friends than women - and the problem gets worse the older men get. But what goes wrong? And what can men do about it? Dickins is going to find out. His funny and charmingly candid search takes him to the doors of world-leading experts. It forces him to examine the friendships he's had over the years, and where they have foundered. And, briefly, it sends him to the website 'Rent A Friend', where he pays someone to hang out with him. But let's not dwell on that. Join Max as he takes a defibrillator to his social life. As he ultimately discovers that if he wants a Best Man, then he needs to be a better man.Trade Review[Max Dickins] couldn't think of anyone to be his best man. It was a realisation that triggered a poignant - and very funny - odyssey * * Daily Mail * *A funny but deeply uncomfortable read for those men . . . who have allowed their male friendships to wither * * Sunday Times * *On the spot * * Guardian * *A funny, meaty, informative read where [Max Dickins] uses himself as a hook to guide us through male friendships * * Independent * *Very funny, utterly charming and above all, wise, Billy No-Mates is not so much about getting the friendships you deserve, but deserving the friendships you've got -- TIM DOWLINGFascinating -- JEREMY VINE * * BBC Radio 2 * *Brilliant . . . one of the most important books I've read this year . . . [it] asks us to put a mirror up to our own friendships -- NIHAL ARTHANAYAKE * * Radio5Live * *Billy No-Mates should be required reading for all us fellas. I wish I had it 10 years ago. Hilarious, elegantly-written and fascinating. As a life-improving call-to-arms, it's impact on me is hard to overstate. It has - without exaggeration - made me a better friend. And maybe even a better man. As absorbing as it is funny -- PHIL WANGWe need a conversation about why men don't have a mate they can talk to * * The Times * *Here Max exposes something worrying and fundamental but with such a lightness of touch -- RUFUS HOUNDMax's book is brilliant. Very funny. So well researched and inspiring in lots of ways. Get a copy if you can! -- SPENCER JONES, comedian from LIVE AT THE APOLLO and 8 OUT OF 10 CATSI've left a copy on my husband's bedside table -- EMMA BARNETT * * Woman's Hour - BBC Radio 4 * *Poignant, extremely funny and worryingly accurate. Rarely has such a frightening wake-up call been so hilariously put -- RHYS JAMESFascinating and very funny. This is such an important subject -- SAM DELANEY * * The Reset * *I love Max's book so much -- RHIK SAMMADER, author and journalistI really enjoyed Max's insights around why men are struggling to connect . . . it's a problem that everyone needs to help fix -- CHRIS WILLIAMSON * * Modern Wisdom * *

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of Highly Sensitive People in an Insensitive WorldShame might be far from the first thing that comes to mind when you think about what's causing your problems. Shame is hidden, and rarely something we talk about, but it can underlie challenges that we deal with on a daily basis, including anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. This book will help you understand what shame is, how it arises and, in turn, how to overcome it. With exercises in each chapter, it provides tools to reflect on, confront and free yourself from shame. The book also includes a questionnaire to assess how much shame impacts you.Be kind to yourself and rediscover your empathy for yourself with Confronting Shame.Trade ReviewI read this wonderful book four times. This insightful book is very easy, comforting and understandable to read. Ilse's knowledge about the topic, shame, is so clear. I want to read it again - I would say it's changed my life. -- Member of the Highly Sensitive People Facebook Group – Anonymous from Tea-Gu , KoreaI have been avoiding this theme for ages knowing that it is my deepest issue. I bought the book 2 weeks ago. It has stirred up so much inside of me that I had to pause for a few days. The book is wonderful, written with a gentle language. Thank you for opening up the theme of shame. -- Member of the Highly Sensitive People Facebook Group – AnonymousTable of Contents 1: The Nature and Function of ShameThe anxiety in shameYou can be unaware of shameSituations that trigger shame The difference between shame and guiltA shame reaction is an alarmShame is a social emotion 2: Chronic Shame Arises from Inharmonious InteractionsWhen the feeling of belonging vanishesSelf-esteem and sense of selfFeeling truly seenA distorted mirrorAttentive mirroring leads to inner supportLack of mirroring leads to an absence of self-support 3: Shame can be a reaction to a hole in your sense of selfThe fear of vanishing into a voidSerious holes in our sense of selfLack of solid ground 4: Shame holds you backA difficult conversation 5: The false self as a defense against shameSuccess strengthens the false selfThe fantastic, invincible false selfShame about longing for loveThe false self can't stand intimacyAnger and contempt as a defense against intimacyGet out of a fairy taleDown and back homePART TWOToolsA vicious circle must be broken6: Get to know yourself betterAsk others for feedbackHow you receive feedbackFilm yourselfExperience yourself from the insideGet in touch with an even deeper level of yourselfGo into psychotherapy or take a course in self-development 7: Get close to your shameWorking on your inner scenes of shame strengthens your sense of selfShame is a relational emotionBe cautious and choose your listener with careTake small steps when anxiety loomsShame after being verbally assaultedShame about a lack of strength and energy 8: Give thought to whom you spend your time withYour childhood familyFind good modelsDirect your attention to the healthy inner voices 9: Establish friendly contact with yourselfIt's not you there is something wrong withDon't obey fearFrom shame to guiltRediscover empathy with yourselfWrite to yourself in a loving mannerThrough sorrow and on to self-compassionAfterword: Let emptiness bloomAre you hampered by shame? Test yourselfTake the test with a grain of saltTo those of you who score lowAdvice to those who score highFind the right helperAn enormous opportunity for growthBibliographyAcknowledgments

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Book SynopsisFunctional Neurological Disorder (FND) is one of the most common diagnoses among patients referred to neurology clinics, but is still misunderstood and under-recognised by medical professionals and the public. This vital book brings together the voices of healthcare professionals and people living with FND across the world. Experts in neurology provide a clear, evidence-based explanation of FND as an introduction, laying the foundation for the personal stories of people with FND and the professionals involved in their care. From testing and diagnosis to dealing with stigma and coping with changing symptoms, each chapter delves into the realities of life with FND from the perspective of lived experience.FND can be an isolating condition. The life stories in this book will help you to make sense of living with FND and tackle its challenges alongside others with the condition.Trade ReviewThis is such an important book and really brings home what it's like to live with FND. It gives a great understanding of FND to people who aren't aware of the impact it has. -- Lorraine Kelly CBE - FND Hope UK PatronThe mind-body connection has fascinated philosophers and neuroscientists for centuries, but its dysfunction has serious consequences which have generally been ignored by the medical community. This landmark book convincingly demonstrates that people with functional neurological disorders desperately need understanding, support, and effective therapies. -- Steven Schachter, MDBrilliantly written, this book brings the experiences of people living with and recovering from FND onto center stage. A highly recommended read for those living with FND, their family and supports, healthcare providers, and all interested in the nuanced brain-mind-body interplay. -- David L. Perez MD, MMSc Associate Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical SchoolEveryone's FND story is unique and highlights the impact it can have on those diagnosed and their friends/family. This book will help to raise awareness, remove the stigma associated with the diagnosis and show that FND is not 'all in our heads'. -- Dawn Golder - Executive Director FND Hope UK

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Book SynopsisWelcome to the world of the homunculi!The homunculi are miniature agents with problem solving missions and special gadgets who live inside the brain and help out with distressing feelings and behaviours. Now adapted for use in the classroom, as well as pairs and individuals, this practical second edition allows you to use this fun CBT-based activity with children and young people aged 7-16.This well researched approach is proven to help children who have difficulty identifying troubling feelings such as anger and fear and can be used in a variety of potentially distressing situations including bullying or tricky transitions from primary to secondary school. Complete with a large format skull poster, character and storyboard templates and downloadable record sheets this unique resource includes everything needed to get started on making stories cartoons or videos. Additional online resources show you how the programme was put in action in real-life individual and classroom settings, showcasing how the weirdly wonderful homunculi characters and stories created by children can come to life.Trade ReviewThe Homunculi Approach has been used with many of our young people. The characters are accessible and the implementation is straightforward. A great tool in the basket of interventions for Additional Support Staff. -- Fiona Priestnall PT Inclusion (Learning and Teaching) South Ayrshire CouncilA fantastic, flexible, fun, and perhaps most importantly, effective, programme to support the social and emotional development of children and young people. -- Russell Postlethwaite, Consultant Educational Psychologist and Director and Founder, Futures in Mind

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Book SynopsisDBT skills can be a fantastic way to approach life's challenges. But where do you start? This down-to-earth guide walks you through the four DBT modules, mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Each chapter explains how to practice the key skills and dives into the authors' own experiences to explore what works, what doesn't, and which skills work best for particular challenges. Journaling prompts help you work out how to fit the skills into your own day-to-day life, so you can make changes that work for you.DBT works by helping you to understand difficult emotions and develop skills to regulate them in a healthy way. Whether you struggle with mental health difficulties, or just want to improve the way you handle everyday stress and challenges, this book will filter out the jargon and show you how to use DBT skills in real life.Trade ReviewA practical and insightful must-have guide for those learning DBT skills from two well-known DBT experts. -- Alicia Paz, MA, Owner Online DBT Courses & DBTSelfHelp.comDBT for Everyone is an exceptional guidebook that delivers practical DBT skills with relatable examples and actionable exercises. It's a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their emotional well-being. -- Katie K. May, DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, Certified Clinician™This book is a wonderful breakdown of DBT that will help you understand the benefits and pitfalls of each skill so you can actually apply them in real life. -- Alyse Ruriani, LPC, ATR, Author of the Big Feelings Survival Guide'DBT for Everyone' by Michelle Henderson and Kate Sherman is your practical roadmap to embracing the power of DBT skills in navigating life's trials. With a grounded approach, the authors take you on a journey through the four core DBT modules: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. In each chapter, they demystify these skills, drawing from their own experiences to offer insights into their effectiveness for various challenges. Through engaging journaling prompts, you'll discover how to seamlessly integrate these skills into your daily routine, customizing them to suit your unique needs. This book empowers you to comprehend complex emotions and equips you with the tools to manage them healthily, whether you grapple with mental health issues or simply seek to enhance your coping strategies for everyday stressors. With clarity and authenticity, 'DBT for Everyone' dismantles the technicalities and presents DBT skills as a practical solution for real-life application. -- NetGalley review, educator, licensed marriage and family therapist

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Book SynopsisWith an ever-growing interest in aromatherapy as a means to manage mental health as well as the subsequent safety concerns surrounding the use and methodology of essential oils, this timely, evidence-based book offers practical guidance on how to support women's mental health through aromatherapy. Comprehensive in its approach, this accessible text presents the history of mental health treatments, general aromatherapy, and specific practical tips and evidence-based aromatherapeutic treatments and management for conditions such as anxiety, depression, and panic disorders which is supplemented with paediatric emotional health support. It also features chapters on grief, pregnancy, postpartum, PMS, and menopause, making it a wide-ranging and holistic compendium of advice and guidance.This new book by Pam Conrad can be read alongside her previous guide Health Aromatherapy: A Clinically Evidence-Based Guide for Nurses, Midwives, Doulas and Therapists or as a stand-alone text and is an essential read for healthcare professionals looking to expand their holistic practice and cater to women's mental health.Trade ReviewCreating an environment for health and healing is one of the first tenets of caring for ourselves and others. Aromatherapy and Women's Mental Health is an excellent resource for health care providers and the general public by demonstrating how aromatherapy can support mental health, as well as significantly effecting mood, reducing anxiety and encouraging support for emotional wellbeing. -- Susan C. Schoon, PhD, PMHCNS, BC, APRN, Psychiatric Clinical Nurse SpecialistI had the pleasure of meeting Pam Conrad at Dr Low-Dog's foundations in herbals, managing stress and mental health course. I was impressed by her work with women's health, and her knowledge utilizing aromatherapy to help with stress and well-being. This book is not only based on solid foundation of her training, knowledge and clinical use, but her passion for treatment of women and their mental health. This book is brilliant as a reference for those who want to improve quality of their well-being. -- Mary Fahrmeier MD Integrative PsychiatristThroughout many of my 30 plus years in mental health nursing, I have personally and professionally witnessed Pam Conrad's extensive commitment in this field of therapeutic and evidence based use of aromatherapy. Her brilliant development of this integrative and complementary guide for women's mental health makes this a must read for all nurses and therapists. She shares numerous practice tips as well as the evidence which supports her extensive work. Given women's uniqueness and higher rates of depression and anxiety all women would greatly benefit form reading this book. -- Julie Szempruch Memmen, RN, MSN, Associate Vice President Midtown Mental Health (Ret)Table of ContentsForeword IntroductionChapter 1-Historical separation of Body, Mind and SpiritChapter 2-Aromatherapy Chapter 3- Women's Mental Health ? History? Data and Statistics? Conditions specific to Women? Reproductive rights and Mental HealthChapter 4-Life stages and emotional challenges? Late Teen-Young Adult? Suicide risks and Aromatherapy? PMS-Premenstrual Syndrome? Pregnancy and anxiety? Postpartum depression? Peri-Menopause? Postmenopause-Elderly? Women's Grief and Loss? Anger and chronic conditions? Women, scent, attraction and Love? Menstrual cycle and scent? Cultural considerations? Mental health evidenceChapter 5-The Healing SpaceChapter 6 Aromatherapy and medical conditions-Integrative therapyChapter 7-Common Medications for Anxiety and DepressionChapter 8-Aromatherapy BasicsChapter 9-Methods and SafetyChapter 10-Mental Health Aromatherapy Evidence Chapter 11 Emerging science-Neurotransmitters, HPA and Hormones? How does aromatherapy affect our emotionsChapter 12-Clinical Case studiesChapter 13-Practice tips and RecipesChapter 14 Pediatric supplement for momsAuthors note Epilogue-One arm behind our back

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Book SynopsisThis highly illustrated guide teaches yoga therapists and mental health professionals how to integrate Yin Yoga into practice and treatment plans as part of a holistic approach to healing and treating a variety of mental health challenges and brain injuries. Yin yoga is an accessible form of yoga consisting of mainly floor based low force stretching, perfect for all patients regardless of physical limitations. The use of Yin yoga when combined with breath work and meditation can decrease anxiety, improve overall mood, and create a sense of well-being.With explanations on the principles of practice, such as asanas, meditation, breathwork and how to integrate different psychological methods to decrease emotional suffering and increase self-care along with examples of how to apply these principles for a range of mental health conditions; this guide is essential reading for all practitioners interested in an integrated approach to healing.Trade ReviewTracey Meyers deftly integrates Yin Yoga with psychotherapy in her thoughtful, scholarly approach to treating anxiety, depression, trauma, schizophrenia, and brain injury cases. Rare in its depth and clarity.... a must-read for clinicians and yoga therapists. -- Patricia L. Gerbarg, MD Assistant Clinical Professor in Psychiatry, New York Medical College and Co-author of The Healing Power of the BreathTracey's writing offers a rich and unique tapestry of philosophy and practical application from yoga, Buddhism, and psychology seamlessly weaving personal story and client examples that empower the reader in applying this work. Her writing is personal, approachable, and inspiring-full of both wisdom and heart. -- Marlysa Sullivan DPT, C-IAYT, Physical Therapy Coordinator Empower Veterans ProgramDr. Meyers gives us thoughtful and real examples of how these yoga and breathing practices have been used in her personal and professional life. The stories about individuals being introduced to mind-body practices and their reactions made the book engaging versus a basic instructional manual. Each story that was presented in the book was thoughtfully and respectfully written. As a trauma thriver I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning mind-body practices as a form of healing. -- Linda Lentini, Director of Healing from WithinDr. Meyers' vision of the hybrid modality of yin yoga as an accessible, complete practice is well-suited to support the range of mental health conditions she outlines through the lens of Western psychology. Of particular value for physical health providers, this practical text engagingly draws on personal clinical experience as well as ideas from a number of mind-body traditions to demonstrate how the tension experienced in yin-style practice can help us to access "fluidity, range of motion, comfort, and ease." In so doing, we nudge open the doorways of perception, creating possibilities for skilled response rather than habitual reaction. -- Laurie Hyland Robertson, Editor in Chief, Yoga Therapy TodayThe clear, clean writing of Tracey Meyers, "Yin Yoga and Mental Health," cultivates the reader's attention in the same manner a yin posture invites the practitioner into a deeper, more meditative understanding of ways to engage in their lived experience. -- Diana Finlayson, Department chair, yoga therapy Maryland University of Integrative HealthIn today's movement towards making yoga more widely accessible and trauma-informed, this book is a must read. Tracey skillfully weaves together compelling stories, robust scientific and public health data, and step-by-step guidance in transformative yogic techniques, leaving the reader both inspired and empowered to support their own and others' mental health through the healing powers of yoga. -- Kyla Pearce, Senior Director of Programs at LoveYourBrain FoundationYin Yoga and Mental Health is sure to become a classic and staple in the library for yoga and mindfulness educators and clinicians alike. Tracey's lifelong dedication to exploring new, integrative models for whole person healing are a gift to all of us. -- Jennifer Ciarimboli, CEO of Studio BeDr. Meyers has delivered a practical guide to help mental health professionals across disciplines gain the knowledge and skills to effectively integrate yin yoga into existing treatment approaches. Her method, applicable to diverse and challenging clinical presentations, is reinforced with case vignettes, and infused with easy-to-understand illustrations. It is refreshing to see renewed support of treating the mind-body connection in a way that perfectly complements a traditional model of psychiatric care. -- Peter Tolisano, Psy.D., ABPP Director of Psychology, Connecticut Department of Developmental Services

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Book SynopsisYou're probably familiar with tired cliches around gaming culture in the media... that video games are violent and damaging. That they re for children, or society's outcasts; for the lazy and those without purpose. Joe Donnelly is here to tell you that video games, in fact, save lives. They saved his. Inspired by his own experience navigating depression following a tragic personal loss, Checkpoint reflects on the comforting and healing effect that entering into new digital worlds and narratives can have on mental health both personally and on a wider scale. From the big-budget triple A studios, to the one-person indie set-ups, there are thousands of eye-opening games exploring human complexities overtly and subtly all waiting to enthrall and comfort players old and new. Through exclusive, in-depth interviews with video game developers, health professionals, charities and gamers alike, Joe makes the case for the vital value of gaming culture and why we should be more open minded and willing to pick up a controller if not for fun, for the well-being of ourselves and our loved ones.

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Book SynopsisStudent mental health is a key consideration in higher education at the moment with recent reports identifying a major gap in provision by universities and how ill-equipped academics feel to support students. This book addresses these concerns, providing comprehensive guidance and workable evidence-informed strategies and interventions to help those working with students to support them effectively. It is suitable for lecturers, personal tutors, student counsellors, course leaders, heads of department and administration staff with responsibility for student support.Table of Contents Transitions into higher education Risk factors Common mental health needs in students Supporting student mental health Supporting vulnerable students in university Supporting transitions through higher education Supporting transitions out of higher education Supporting the mental health of postgraduate students

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Book SynopsisThis engaging book pulls together the individual strains of self-care, spirituality and common sense. It is a one-stop ‘bible’ to give social workers and other professionals an uncomplicated, easy to read resource that empowers them to manage and maintain their well-being through personal responsibility and self-care. The world today is fast paced and societal expectations for impeccable service are high. We cannot always alter the demands of our professional or personal lives, but by actively pursuing well-being we can enhance skills to support open discussion in supervision (or in personal reflection) so that individuals (and organisations) can successfully rise to meet challenges head on and reduce the risks associated with burnout. Building on the authors’ years of personal experience, this book Brings together everything professionals need for their own self-care through a range of practical activities Gives you tried and tested self-care ideas backed by the latest research Allows you as professionals to take a holistic approach to a range of subjects that people usually explore in isolation. Table of Contents Self-care; the fundamental principles Sleep: nutrition of the mind Nutrition: the impact of what you eat and drink Exercise: how moving more means you get more done Mind full or mindful: giving yourself space Achieving professional emotional regulation; the impact of organisation and person Being organised to fuel productivity: how do you know what you need to do and how do you do it Finding your motivation mojo: making a start's the hardest part Maintaining the resilient professional

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Book SynopsisA practical look at how positive psychology can transform performance at work, essential for anyone looking to both grow in their professional career and improve their well-being. It is equally appropriate for employees or for managers and leaders looking to increase performance in their teams and departments. Well-being at work should be more than just helping people feel okay. Positive psychology enables people to be more than okay and actually thrive at work. This book describes highly practical ideas and techniques that can be applied in the workplace at individual, team and organisational levels to increase positivity, boost engagement, develop strong working relationships, build purpose, enable a sense of accomplishment and grow resilience. It is packed with tools and tips to make a difference to your career, teams, organisations and daily working life, and demonstrates how ideas from positive psychology can help transform mindsets and drive the dual aims of performance and positivity. This book is an essential read for anyone looking to grow in their professional career while also improving their well-being and happiness, and for leaders who want to enable high performance at work but also want their teams to thrive and be happy. Part of the Business in Mind series.Trade ReviewIf you want to improve, inspire teams, or coach people, this is the essential resource to help you optimise performance at work using positive psychology. Sarah Alexander guides us through Martin Seligman’s PERMA model, incorporating her own experience with other theory, case examples, tips, exercises and questions to explore. It’s a well-researched and extremely practical book, which I’ve already heavily highlighted and scribbled on in readiness for me to refer to for workshops and with clients. Happy people capitalising on their superpowers drives high performance! Read this book to understand why and how! -- Suzanna Tan, Executive Coach and Author, Coaching STTransforming Performance at Work is highly practical and engaging. For any company or manager struggling with demotivated teams this is a must-read. This is equally true for any professional who wants to be at their best without burning out. Each chapter provides the invaluable pillars of transforming performance. The captivating way in which it is written makes you remember key points in your day-to-day life after just one read. It is also a great one to revisit, as the examples, the summaries, and the immediately applicable exercises, make it consistently relevant. -- Emma Claire DavisThis is a really important book, particularly in these stressful times. We spend about a third of our time at work and Sarah shows how that time should not simply be lost time, but time that makes a significant contribution to our well-being and sense of self, from which the employing organisation also benefits. Sarah pulls off a difficult trick in this book in achieving three ends: it makes great sense, is easily read and, most importantly, is eminently practical. A 'must read'! -- Myles Downey, Coach to the C-Suite, Author of ‘Effective Modern Coaching’ and ’The Enabling Manager'Sarah Alexander is on a mission to increase performance by increasing wellbeing. Her passion for the topic shines through on every page. Alexander offers readers 5 wellbeing topics for consideration. For each, she provides a scientific rationale and practical tools. -- Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener, author of Positive ProvocationTable of ContentsChapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Happy high performer Chapter 3: Superpowers Chapter 4: People matter Chapter 5: Finding meaning Chapter 6: Accomplishment Chapter 7: Resilience Chapter 8: Well-being in action and conclusions

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Book SynopsisEveryone has moments when the noise and activity of daily life mean it's hard to see the wood for the trees. Sometimes we get by, but sometimes we get out of balance and when negative feelings go unchecked, emotions can escalate.Created in collaboration with psychologists and Samaritans volunteers, Pathways: Your journey to emotional wellbeing provides practical and creative ways to promote positivity and help you find your own route through your problems. With pages for self-reflection as well as goal and routine setting, this book offers ways to achieve a sense of calm from anxiety, relief from low mood and decompression from stress, allowing you to reconnect with yourself and explore the difficult feelings we all experience from time to time.

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Book SynopsisMindfulness and social work values go hand in hand and this book is the perfect guide in self-care for social workers who want to incorporate mindfulness into their working lives to positive effect. Looking after your mental health in your working life is so important so that you can do the best job you can and learning mindfulness is a great way to incorporate this. Studies have suggested that mindful social workers can have greater emotional awareness with less emotional reactivity, develop stronger interpersonal skills, and other valuable skills that are important for a relationship-based practice. The Mindful Social Worker gives the reader mindfulness guidance to not only improve themselves but also see how this can have an impact on their work. In this book, the reader will be provided with practice tools such as meditation and relaxation techniques to help the practitioner to be more present and have a stronger propensity to reflection. Case study reflection and self-assessments are also used in this book to enable any practitioner from students and the newly qualified to the experienced social worker or care professional. This is all done within the framework of professional standards for Social Work education and practice, showing how much mindfulness can relate to the social work profession. Trade Review"The world we live in today seems to demand that we routinely shift our focus in a quest for instant gratification. This can lead to a way of being where we find it difficult to submerge ourselves in the ‘deep work’ of practice. We always have a sense that we’re missing something and need to move on. Operating in the social work profession in a mindful way can be an antidote to this. This book takes you on a journey of exploration into mindfulness and applies it effectively to the realities of the practice world. An excellent, insightful, and truly helpful read!" -- Stephen Mordue * University of Sunderland *Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1 - Explaining Mindfulness Chapter 2 - The Mindful Social Worker Chapter 3 - Mindful Communication Chapter 4 - Developing Trusted Relationships Chapter 5 - Assessment: The Benefits of a Mindful Approach Chapter 6 - Problem solving and Creativity Chapter 7 - Supervision and Critical Reflection Chapter 8 - Continuing the Mindful Journey

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Book Synopsis'Trauma-informed' has become a buzzword in the counselling and psychotherapy arena and the wider worlds of health and social care research and practice. But what does it mean in relation to practitioners' day-to-day work with clients? Susan Dale argues that all therapeutic work should put the client's needs, not the therapeutic model, at the heart of the process. Here she describes how she shapes her own collaborative narrative approach to work with people who have experienced trauma, whether from childhood abuse and neglect, violence, combat or other circumstances. Drawing on the literature and the first-hand accounts of trauma-experienced co-researchers, Dale weaves a narrative that demonstrates trauma-informed practice and its impact in the real-life therapy room. She includes approaches that are not formally badged as 'trauma therapies' as well as recognised models such as EMDR to demonstrate how such an approach, applied collaboratively and with acute sensitivity to the needs of the individual client, can make a lasting difference to people striving to rebuild lives that have been shattered by trauma.Trade Review'In this beautifully crafted and deeply moving book, Susan Dale helps the reader understand the harrowing and wide-ranging impacts of lived trauma experiences through the voices of her co-researchers. Ultimately, their stories of courage and resilience are a celebration of how people can recover from trauma and the diversity of therapeutic methods that can facilitate this. Highlighting that one size does not fit all, this is an essential read for all counsellors and psychotherapists.' – Dr Mhairi Thurston, senior lecturer in counselling, Abertay University. 'There are some good books on trauma, but this is truly a great book on trauma that in the opening pages alone grabs your attention and, thereafter, takes you into Susan Dale’s most wonderful, engaging and informative writing. It guides the way for collaboration and speaks to the power of storytelling and is absolutely a must-read.' – Professor Andrew Reeves, Professor in Counselling Professions and Mental Health, University of Chester. 'The idea for this book waited patiently for someone whose personal and professional knowledge, training, worldviews, and values could possibly realise it. Susan Dale came along. Her deeply relational and collaborative spirit, compassion, humility, passion and ethical mindedness radiate throughout. A window opens onto almost 30 years of counselling experience as, using ‘trauma-informed’ methodologies, Dale empowers her co-researchers to tell their trauma stories. Research-informed and evidence-based, this recommended book will help you develop a framework for working with trauma.' – Karen Stainsby, counsellor, supervisor and author. 'If you’re searching for a manual on how to ‘treat’ PTSD, or a review of ‘gold standard’ research on the subject, you’ll need to look elsewhere, but you’ll miss out on a superbly inspiring narrative inquiry into the subject. Susan Dale and her co-researchers provide the broadest introduction to post-traumatic stress and therapeutic ways of being with trauma-experienced clients. Both academically sound and experience-near, this should become the ‘go-to’ (rather than ‘how-to’) primer for counsellors and therapists seeking an introduction to working with trauma – whether single event, complex or indeed ‘complicated’.' – Dr Mike Gallant, NHS therapist and clinical supervisor. 'Written very accessibly, this in-depth narrative collaboration brings to life the vibrant connection between therapist and client, using an array of psychotherapeutic models to work with trauma. Susan Dale and her co-researchers offer a rare insight for anyone interested in working with trauma, from trainees to experienced counsellors looking for CPD, with stimulating questions for reflection throughout.' – Tracey Cleary, counselling officer, UHI Inverness. 'As I read this book I found it just the most fascinating reflection on trauma, its causes, legacy and interconnectivity with therapy. The most powerful element for me was the inclusion of the experiences of people who have suffered trauma, the isolation and loneliness it led to, the positivity of counselling and how it had helped them regain a life. This book is definitely one for everybody in the counselling professions to read.' – Steve Rattray, counsellor, psychotherapist and clinical supervisor.Table of ContentsContents Prologue Introduction Chapter 1 What is trauma and how does it affect us? Chapter 2 Working collaboratively with trauma Chapter 3 Trauma and its impacts on the body and central nervous system Chapter 4 Cognitive behavioural therapy and psychoeducation Chapter 5 Internal family systems Chapter 6 Narrative therapy: The Tree of Life Chapter 7 Metaphor and creative therapies Chapter 8 Telling stories of trauma and re-authoring conversations Chapter 9 Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing Chapter 10 Definitional ceremony and collective biography Chapter 11 Other psychotherapeutic models: Practitioner perspectives Chapter 12 The ethics and practice of co-research References

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Book SynopsisIt's said that the only constant in life is change. It should be said that obstacles to change are another constant, and they're too often standing between you and a life spent thriving. Whether you're trying to better manage your money, exercise more, or stop addictive behaviors, making positive life changes can be a huge challenge. On top of the inner turmoil of struggling with a big life change, you may face external roadblocks in the form of friends, family, and colleagues who might not understand how to best support you. So, how do you prepare yourself for this journey toward healthy, positive change? The Motivational Interviewing Path to Personal Change combines forty years of research-proven strategies along with skills from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to help you get started on the path to positive change. Using motivational interviewing (MI) tools, you'll identify specific behavioural targets you would like to work on. You'll also learn to connect with your intrinsic motivation to figure out the "Why?" of your journey, so you can commit to positive behaviour changes consistent with your values. Finally, you'll use your newfound skills to maximize your goals, overcome obstacles, and gain a healthier perspective on life. If you're ready to embark on a journey of self-reflection, determination, and improvement, let this guide show you the way to making real, sustainable changes. Go ahead, take the first step!

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Book SynopsisDo you feel anxious or stressed out most of the time? Do you worry obsessively about what might happen in the future, or ruminate endlessly about the past? You are far from alone. For many people, anxiety has become the new normal. It keeps us up at night, greets us in the morning, prevents us from being fully present in our lives, and depletes our energy, resilience, and resolve. But it doesn't have to be this way. From two internationally recognized experts on anxiety and the authors of Anxiety Happens comes the guided journal, offering daily writing prompts based in proven-effective acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to help you make peace with uncertainty, and soothe worry, fear, and panic. In addition to "in-the-moment" exercises for staying calm, you'll explore the underlying causes of your anxiety, discover how to move past your anxious inner voice, and learn to focus on what really matters to you-so you can finally move past anxiety and live your best life. If you're tired of anxiety getting in the way of the good stuff in life, the powerful writing prompts and exercises in this journal will help you find lasting calm and peace of mind-even when "anxiety happens.

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Book SynopsisPraise for Nik and Eva Speakman:'I've seen their work first hand when it came to my own fear of flying - they are a great team' Holly Willoughby'I never believed in miracles until I met the Speakmans' Jake RocheNik and Eva Speakman have helped thousands of everyday people live an anxiety-free life and feel happier.Now it's your turn.- Are you overwhelmed by life?- Do you feel dissatisfied and helpless because of anxiety?- Is stress affecting your sleep or behaviour?- Do you suffer from OCD?- Are you stuck in a relationship or job that's making you anxious?Conquering Anxiety will help release you from the emotional and physical weight of living with anxiety.Start your new life today with Nik and Eva's expert help!

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Book SynopsisA timely book about assessing, coping with, and mitigating burnout in higher education.Faculty often talk about how busy, overwhelmed, and stressed they are. These qualities are seen as badges of honor in a capitalist culture that values productivity above all else. But for many women in higher education, exhaustion and stress go far deeper than end-of-the-semester malaise.Burnout, a mental health syndrome caused by chronic workplace stress, is endemic to higher education in a patriarchal, productivity-obsessed culture. In this unique book for women in higher education, Rebecca Pope-Ruark, PhD, draws from her own burnout experience, as well as collected stories of faculty in various roles and career stages, interviews with coaches and educational developers, and extensive secondary research to address and mitigate burnout. Pope-Ruark lays out four pillars of burnout resilience for faculty members: purpose, compassion, connection, and balance. Each chapter contaiTable of ContentsBurnout: An Unraveling or A Reckoning?Chapter 1. CultureChapter 2. Academic IdentityChapter 3. PurposeChapter 4. CompassionChapter 5. ConnectionChapter 6. BalanceCodaAcknowledgmentsAppendix 1. Special Advice For Educational DevelopersAppendix 2. Bonus InterviewsAppendix 3. Additional Activities For Self-ExplorationAppendix 4. Reflecting On Your Relationship With Work And BurnoutReferencesIndex

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Book SynopsisIn the 1930s, British medical doctor and homeopath Dr Edward Bach developed 38 flower remedies for promoting physical and emotional healing. Administered at extremely low concentrations, they are used worldwide, singly and in combination, and favoured for their gentle benefits. Scientific studies conducted and published by Dr Masaru Emoto since 1994 provide us with the scientific basis for the homeopathic method, enabling us to understand the real and practical foundation of treatment based on Bach Flower Remedies. Noah Goldhirsh shows how to use these to support young people overcome emotional, mental and physical difficulties and achieve healing and equilibrium.Table of ContentsWhat are Bach flower remedies? Bach flower remedies for body and soul; Getting to know the wonderful Bach flower essences: agrimony, aspen, beech, centaury, cerato, cherry plum, chestnut bud, chicory, clematis, crab apple, elm, gentian, gorse, heather, holly, honeysuckle, hornbeam, impatiens, larch, mimulus, mustard, oak, olive, pine, red chestnut, rock rose, rock water, scleranthus, star of Bethlehem, sweet chestnut, vervain, vine, walnut, water violet, white chestnut, wild oat, wild rose, willow; Treating children with Bach flower remedies; Treating children in temporary or emergency situations; How to choose the appropriate essence; Creating therapeutic formulas; Preparing a personal bottle of Bach flower remedy; Preparing a Bach flower remedy spray; Preparing a Bach flower remedy cream; Long-term treatment with the help of Bach flower remedies; The end... and a new beginning

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Book SynopsisReplace good vibes only with I'm allowed to feel sadReplace delete negativity with I can reach out for supportReplace I'm no good at anything with Would I say this to a friend?A break in the clouds, a hug at the right moment, the small voice in the back of our heads that says, "I can do this." Those moments are the rich soil in which we grow our self-esteem, our resilience and our relish for life. This book is filled with dozens of these little moments, ready to be dipped into whenever your mood dips, and to be opened up when you're shutting down.From ways to identify burnout and strategies for combating negative self-talk, to simple scripts for tricky situations and soothing self-care rituals, this is a book that will take you by the hand and tell what you need to hear. Even if what you need to hear is "it's okay to wrap yourself in a duvet burrito for the day".Even at your most flawed, you're perfectly you. Even when you feel broken, you're whole. You're brilliant, unique and worthy. It's time to leave the blue moods behind and experience the full rainbow.Table of Contents#N/A

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Book SynopsisRelieve stress and anxiety, support your mental health and understand how your diet affects your brain with this natural nutrition guide. Your next meal could be the first step towards an anxiety-free life!If you're feeling anxious, stressed or depressed, you're not alone. The world is in turmoil, and inner calm may seem impossible right now. It's important to remember, however, that your mental health is tied to your physical health. What you eat affects your brain chemistry, hormones and nervous system, which control your mood.Liana Werner-Gray, nutritionist and author of The Earth Diet, offers this simple guide to the scientifically backed, nutrient-rich foods and supplements you need to support your emotional wellness. You'll learn how to avoid the things that trigger inflammation and other symptoms of stress in your body. She also offers 100+ delicious gluten-free, soy-free, refined sugar-free and dairy-free recipes that both nourish the body and support optimal brain function, with advice for keto, paleo and vegan diets. With Liana's easy strategies based on nutritional neuroscience, you'll feel empowered to take control of your mental wellbeing.

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Book SynopsisThe bible for people who experience panic-attacks, this new edition, released in 2016, has been updated to include the latest research findings.Trade Review“Essential reading for all sufferers” Here’s Health. “A much needed book that will help many sufferers” Dr Caroline Shreeve. “Panic Attacks became my bible” The Sunday Times. “If you feel a sense of rising panic, just follow Christine Ingham’s advice.” Simon Mills

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Book SynopsisIn February 2015, Ivan Maisel received a call that would alter his life forever: his son Max''s car had been found abandoned in a parking next to Lake Ontario. Two months later, Max''s body would be found in the lake. There''d been no note or obvious indication that Max wanted to harm himself; he''d signed up for a year-long subscription to a dating service; he''d spent the day he disappeared doing photography work for school. And this uncertainty became part of his father''s grief. I Keep Trying to Catch His Eye explores with grace, depth, and refinement the tragically transformative reality of losing a child. But it also tells the deeply human and deeply empathetic story of a father''s relationship with his son, of its complications, and of Max and Ivan''s struggle-as is the case for so many parents and their children-to connect.I Keep Trying to Catch His Eye is a stunning, poignant exploration of the father and son relationship, of how our tendency t

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Book Synopsis''A brilliant fast, funny and frank look at something that absolutely needs to be talked about in this way'' - Matt Haig''I felt comforted by this book; by the honesty, insight, compassion, and the beautiful writing'' - Marian KeyesBryony Gordon has OCD. It''s the snake in her brain that has told her ever since she was a teenager that her world is about to come crashing down. It''s caused alopecia, bulimia, and drug dependency, and Bryony is sick of it.A hugely successful columnist for the Telegraph, a bestselling author, and a happily married mother of an adorable daughter, Bryony has managed to laugh and live well while simultaneously grappling with her illness. In Mad Girl, Bryony explores her relationship with her OCD and depression as only she can.

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Book SynopsisFOREWORD BY PROFESSOR PAUL SALKOVSKIS- You left the doctor''s surgery before you could ask the things you really wanted to know.- You''ve googled your question about OCD and had 75 answers, all contradicting each other.- You asked your best friend - but they looked at you strangely.You have so many questions, but no idea where to start finding the answers. Here they are. In this book you''ll find the definitive, expert responses to all your FAQs: On OCD. No question is too simple, too embarrassing, too rude or too offbeat to be included, and each one has been asked by thousands of people just like you.Will people judge me for my thoughts?Can hormones make OCD worse?Does anyone ruminate as much as me?All these questions, and hundreds more, are covered in this short but powerful, helpful, practical guide to managing your OCD. Read at your leisure, or dip in and out when you most need the support or to sTrade ReviewEach answer is thoughtful and comprehensive. And, they acknowledge where there is uncertainty or nuances to the answer. So the book is suitable for anyone with OCD or their loved ones and well worth the price -- Professor David Veale, Consultant Psychiatrist specialising in OCD

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Book SynopsisWe're raised to believe that we will have jobs and work. Our school system is designed in part to educate us so we can find a good job afterwards. Yet no-one ever tells you how to work. No one ever sits you down and tells you how to be at the center of your work, how to get the most out of your role and how to be happy, healthy, safe and engaged in the workplace. Lacking this knowledge, work often veers off and feels wrong. Panicking, we change and start again somewhere else, thinking 'it's not me, it's the job'. And then the process begins again. In a post-COVID19 world where redundancies are high, and job opportunities are low, never has it been so essential to learn how to be happy and healthy at work. Literature advocating that you 'love it or leave it' is not applicable or helpful in a squeezed job-market. Not many have the privilege of being able to up and leave their job, and even if you do there is no guarantee of happineTrade ReviewStephanie's combined passion and knowledge is a force to be reckoned with. Reworked outlines the science to give me the why and the tools to give me the how. This book is a game changer for any stage of career, but I wish I'd had it when I was twenty! -- Jack Green, double Olympian and Director of Talking PerformanceA must read for those who want a good quality of work and life - personal wellbeing is at the heart of career success. -- Professor Sir Cary Cooper, ALLIANCE Manchester Business SchoolWhether you are in work, looking for work or about to join the workforce for the first time Reworked is a must read. No one teaches us how to be at work, let alone how to work well. With humour and a practical no-nonsense approach Dr Stephanie guides us through a process of self-reflection, an explanation of how work is no longer working for us and the practical steps we can all take to make each day work better. There are practical solutions and steps for organisations and individuals alike. The accessible anecdotes and case studies really bring the text alive. If everyone who reads this book applies some of the practical steps to their individual wellbeing at work, the impact on collective wellbeing and on organisations would be immense; allowing organisations to focus on their systems and culture to enable us all to be happy, healthy, safe, engaged each day. -- Dr Judith Grant, Workplace Wellbeing Strategist and Director of The Wellbeing Exchange

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Book SynopsisA short but engaging look at how to cultivate a sense of calm in our busy world. In Calm, sound and media researcher Iben Have explores how to cultivate a feeling of calm using digital technologies, sound, routines, and mindfulness training, and our own bodies and minds. Professor Have delves into the science behind human perception and sensory experience to discover that our perceptual experiences are not based on culture alone, but are rooted in a deeper, shared human phenomenon. While creativity generally requires calm, our need for peace and quiet varies greatly. Some people need lots of stimulus, whereas others feel most alert in tranquil environments. By determining the right stimulation zone, Professor Have outlines how we can perform and feel our best, existing mindfully and in the present. In Reflections, a series copublished with Denmark's Aarhus University Press, scholars deliver 60-page reflections on key concepts. These books present unique insights on a wide range of Table of ContentsImpressions and ExpressionsThe Restless Human MindSounding Out CalmNoise Control

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Book SynopsisA testimony to the sufficiency of God in the gruelling day–to–day reality of raising a child with a mental health disorder. Mental health disorders have become increasingly prevalent, especially in children and teenagers. Suicide is the 3rd highest cause of death in fifteen– to nineteen–year–olds around the world. This effect of the Fall has left thousands of families in despair, confusion, and impotent desperation. Leslie Schmucker knows this all too well. Writing to encourage other parents who find themselves in a similar situation, she explores different aspects of her and her family’s experience with their daughter, Jackie. Through violence and mayhem, joy and hope, intense isolation, shame and confusion, Leslie’s honest testimony to the goodness of God is humbling. Leslie’s testimony is split into four sections: Comfort from the God who Knows Sufficiency in the Fallout Guidance in the Storm Hope for the Journey Life in our post–Fall world is not always neat, not every story looks like a success, but Leslie shows us how the gospel is for every situation, the love of God is for everyone, and He can be trusted to write our stories. Whether you are raising a child with a mental health disorder or not, this book will challenge your comfortable Christianity and show you a love beyond measure.Trade Review… an accessible, authentic, hopeful book about clinging to God and His promises in the midst of some of the hardest, most painful circumstances a family could face. -- John Knight (Donor Officer, Desiring God)Never have I read a book that so powerfully owns the heart–wrenching realities of raising a child with severe mental illness, while simultaneously and fervently pointing the reader to truths of Scripture, the power of the gospel, and the love of God in Christ. -- Stephanie O. Hubach (Author, ‘Same Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability’; Research Fellow, Disability Ministries, Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri)If you have a child struggling with mental illness, this book will be like sitting down with a good friend who can relate to what you’re going through and has much wisdom to share. -- Keri Folmar (Author, Delighting in the Word Bible Study series and ‘The Good Portion: Scripture’ and co–host of Priscilla Talk)… a story of courage and trust that all parents would benefit from, not just adoptive parents. The story is not sugar–coated. Disney would never consider an ending like theirs. Brace yourself, reader, and learn from experience to rest in the Lord. -- Matt Schmucker (Elder, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, DC; Director, CROSS Conference)

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Book Synopsis'Steve beautifully communicates his vulnerabilities in his music -- he does the same in this powerful story' Niall Breslin As lead singer and songwriter of hugely successful Irish rock band Kodaline, Steve Garrigan plays to thousands of fans worldwide - his business is being in the spotlight. But, for years, Steve was privately battling his own demons.High Hopes is a deeply personal memoir about how everyone carries a story. In his down-to-earth and often humorous style, Steve takes us from his childhood growing up in Dublin and the shyness that only dissolved in front of a microphone, to the highs of rock star success touring and playing stadiums, and the lows of anxiety, depression and panic attacks. Ultimately, his story describes how it is only by learning to share our deepest vulnerability - embracing all aspects of our true selves - that we can work through darkness and ultimately find freedom.

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Book SynopsisA Sunday Times Bestseller March 2022 (Ireland)Soon, the lockdown would start. People would die alone, without any proper ceremony. Charlotte's death would be washed away, the first drop in a downpour. Nobody knew it then but hers would be the last good funeral of the year.It was February 2020, when Ed O'Loughlin heard that Charlotte, a woman he'd known had died, young and before her time. He realised that he was being led to reappraise his life, his family and his career as a foreign correspondent and acclaimed novelist in a new, colder light.He was suddenly faced with facts that he had been ignoring, that he was getting old, that he wasn't what he used to be, that his imagination, always over-active, had at some point reversed its direction, switching production from dreams to regrets. He saw he was mourning his former self, not Charlotte.The search for meaning becomes the driving theme of O'Loughlin's year of confinement. He remembers his brother Simon, a suicide at thirty; the journalists and photographers with whom he covered wars in Africa, the Middle East, the Balkans, wars that are hard to explain and never really stopped; his habit of shedding baggage, an excuse for hurrying past and not dwelling on things.Moving, funny, and searingly honest, The Last Good Funeral of the Year takes the reader on a circular journey from present to past and back to the present: 'Could any true story end any other way?'Trade ReviewWar correspondent, father, husband, son, friend and grieving brother - Ed O'Loughlin has given us a powerful and unusual memoir. At times heartbreaking and often laugh-aloud funny, The Last Good Funeral is set to be among the very best of books for 2022. -- Christine Dwyer HickeyEd O'Loughlin is a natural storyteller, a good one, and he invites the reader right alongside in his honest search for meaning through reminiscence, memory and adventure. With precision and expertise, he probes past and present chapters of his life, all the while imparting his own brand of wisdom and humour. A great pleasure to read! -- Frances Itani, winner of the Commonwealth Writer’s Prize and author of DeafeningThe past is a revenant that haunts the present in this exquisite and startling memoir by Ed O'Loughlin. The Last Good Funeral of the Year is a witty, engaging, heartbreaking, and beautifully wrought tour through the workings of memory, all unearthed during the world's great period of lockdown stillness. The stories and their people will remain with you long after finishing this book. -- Emily Urquhart, Canadian author and memoiristThe Last Good Funeral of the Year is intelligent, funny, profound, painfully honest, beautifully written, and powerfully moving. Ed O'Loughlin is a writer who does brilliantly everything he turns his hand to; it's no surprise to find that his memoir is so unforgettably good. -- Kevin Power, author of White CityThis is a searing book, reminiscent of Joan Didion's masterpiece, "The Year of Magical Thinking." It wheels between the waypoints in O'Loughlin's life with remarkable dexterity, honesty and grace... What I found here was an exquisite portrait of grief * The Miramichi Reader *[A] brief and astonishingly frank memoir . . . Deftly and with increasing assurance, O'Loughlin weaves the tapestry of a life, pulling at the threads and dropped stitches of experience that have brought him to this difficult time and place . . .The account of his brother Simon's struggles with depression is achingly sad and beautifully rendered . . . O'Loughlin can be acerbic, self-deprecating and droll, often in the same paragraph. * Sunday Times Ireland *The Last Good Funeral of the Year by Ed O'Loughlin. It's one of the most unflinching memoirs you'll ever read. lt's an at-tirnes­ sad, at-times-funny excavation of SO-something years of living conducted during the Covid lockdowns. I couldn't stop thinking about it for weeks after finishing it. * Sunday Independent *

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Book SynopsisAre you tired of hangovers? Do you wish you could think more clearly during the day or feel less anxious at night? Are you curious about that #soberlife? Many of us want to cut back on our drinking-or even stop altogether. But in a culture that glamorizes the cocktail hour, "white wine playdates," and boozy brunches, you might wonder, What would I do instead? If you're ready for a change, this go-to guide has the answer.50 Ways to Soothe Yourself without Alcohol offers surprisingly simple lifestyle skills grounded in mindfulness, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to help you destress, reclaim your calm, and feel more vibrant in your day-to-day life-without alcohol. If you're stuck in a drinking rut and in need of a wellness reset, you'll love how empowered and energetic you'll feel when you reach for this book instead of a drink.Try it for a week, a month, a year, and maybe more...

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Book SynopsisRelative Distance is a powerful memoir of resilience and faith. While it’s an unflinching look at brothers being raised by a violent, abusive father and a detached, mentally ill mother, it’s also an inspiring account of two distinctive life journeys and an examination of the role played by family and society in individual homelessness. After surviving his tumultuous upbringing, David Pruitt rises to become a CEO in Corporate America, while his brother, Danny, becomes a long-time homeless traveler. As David helps to grow a fledgling North Carolina business into what is at the time the largest specialty bicycle retailer in the United States, Danny sleeps under overpasses, jumps passing freight cars, lives in and out of shelters, faces death more than once—and encounters the best and worst of America in a restless search to find a better place in the world. Yet, despite their differences, a common thread runs through the distinct trajectories of the brothers’ lives: each of them struggles with difficult psychological issues stemming from their troubled past. This deeply moving memoir examines the lifelong challenges that often come for those raised in an abusive home, along with the limitless possibilities we open ourselves to when we allow faith and determination to overcome judgment and fear.Trade Review“Uplifting memoir… Pruitt’s bootstrapping mentality should appeal to fellow boomers, particularly those of faith.”—Publishers Weekly “An incredible human and sympathetic look at homelessness as seen through a brother’s eyes, and a brilliant look at how determination, faith and gumption can overcome fear and the limitations of the world we are born into.”—Lee Woodruff, New York Times best-selling author, speaker and executive media trainer“David Pruitt’s brave and beautiful memoir Relative Distance teaches us about the miraculous resilience of the human spirit. But it's the book's generous compassion that makes it singular, offering something to each of us, no matter our circumstances.”—Aran Shetterly, author of The Americano and the forthcoming book Morningside “With hundreds of books published each year intending to show its’ readers a path to 'self-help,' first-time author David Pruitt’s remarkable memoir Relative Distance provides a well-marked alternative passage to personal discovery and growth. Everyone, no matter where they are along life’s journey, will find within this superbly crafted narrative, something enlightening and uniquely relevant to their lives—while being touched in ways that are totally unexpected but deeply resonant.”—Tom Tolworthy, former President of Barnes and Noble and former CEO of The Vitamin Shoppe“First-time author David Pruitt has crafted a stunning memoir that is at once beautifully written, insightful, and thought-provoking. It is storytelling at its very best and a message of hope for all who have traveled a difficult road.”—Trish Lockard, co-author of Make a Difference with Mental Health Activism, certified instructor for Family-to-Family, the flagship program of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), memoir editor, and writing coach“This is both a memoir and an instructional journey about overcoming abuse, building courage, developing determination, finding mentorship in life, and uplifting yourself out of darkness through faith. Written by the CEO of a large bicycle retailer, Pruitt’s trade is a fitting metaphor for this compelling story: he develops his personal protective gear, adjusts his speed when approaching bumps in the road, and finally breaks the cycle of abuse while taking the reader on a safe ride towards hope.”—Sara O’Meara, Childhelp Co-founder & CEO, and Yvonne Fedderson, Childhelp Co-Founder & President “Powerful! Buy it. Read it. Understand the real roots of homelessness!” —Judith Knotts, author of You Are My Brother, Lessons Learned Embracing a Homeless Community “One man’s journey of faith and restorative resilience…By the time you finish the final chapter, you will admire the author’s courage in sharing this narrative; it is a message of hope for all those struggling to overcome the circumstances of their lives.”—The Epoch Times “Vivid images and incisive observations interweave and deepen this memoir….the gripping power of this book is the way Pruitt begins to break the cycle of abuse even as a beaten-down child.” —Southern Literary Review

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Book SynopsisMental health has become an unseen epidemic over recent years. A disease that society struggles to accept and deal with. But where does the failure to accept normal life end and poor mental health begin? And who is accountable? Mental as Anything is a glimpse into my life. A life that, objectively, is neither ordinary nor exceptional, but is the one I have navigated. A life of experiences and challenges that have shaped me and brought me to my knees. This novel tells my story through the eyes of the person I have become over the past three years. This individual was not who I am, but instead was the culmination of three factors. The behaviour of a minority of society's members. My ability to accept. My ability to rebuild.

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Book Synopsis'Spit-your-tea-out funny.' -Fern Brady'Raw, brutal and life-affirming' -Sara Pascoe'Addictive, exhilarating and raw' -Daisy Buchanan, author of Insatiable'Graphic, explicit, visceral' -Irish Times'Blistering' ­-Sunday Business Post'Transcendent' -Irish IndependentMarise was nine when she first realised there was trouble, 14 when her Dad tried to end it all, and 23 when he finally succeeded.In a turmoil of conflicting emotions she runs, leaving behind Dublin and her Catholic girlhood and fleeing to New York, where she gets into a messy relationship with an older comedian who she idolises and who tells her she's special - until she's not. With a trail of sex, self-destruction and a near miss with Scientology in her back pocket, eventually she finds herself in a California psych ward, a young woman imploding. As she retells her unravelling from child to adult, Marise strips back her identity and her relationship with her father, layer by layer, until she finally starts to understand how to live with him, years after he has gone.Written beautifully, with a caustic sense of humour and brutal honesty, Trouble is one of the most powerful coming-of-age memoirs in recent years.Trade ReviewRaw, brutal and life-affirming - Marise has written a hugely important book that is as entertaining as it is illuminating. * Sara Pascoe *I couldn't put this down. A brave, honest, witty, new Irish voice that has a very bright future ahead of her. * Jade Jordan *Holy cow. I finished it and cried my eyes out. An incredible, beautifully written memoir about humanity, heartbreak and hope. * Lou Sanders *Gripping, funny and heart-wrenchingly relatable. Every time I turned the page I hoped it wouldn't be the last. * Lily O'Farrell, Vulgadrawings *Where so much writing about mental illness is riddled with po-faced earnestness and cliche, Marise Gaughan's take no prisoners approach to craziness, sex and Catholic girlhood is spit-your-tea-out funny.' * Fern Brady *Disarming in its candour, hilarious and harrowing in its depictions of a life shaped by trauma and addiction, Trouble is so much more than a memoir of survival. It is a picaresque journey through the stages of grief; an intimate epic of self-sabotage and self-forgiveness; a no-holds-barred report from the lip of the abyss. How glad I am that Gaughan stepped away in time. Her voice, at once wry, profane and heartfelt, is a gift. She observes with a mordant wit the ways we deceive ourselves in the name of our desires, and reminds us that we are not defined by our pasts, but by the small steps we take every day towards our ideal selves. * Stephen Kelman, Booker Prize-shortlisted author of Pigeon English *An unflinching account of a young woman's alternating attempts to survive her father's suicide - or die from it. Marise Gaughan writes with heart-rending precision of the dynamics between fathers and daughters, as well as the still more troubling sexual one between older men and damaged young women. This is a knife-sharp and defiant story of recovery. * Tanya Shadrick, author of The Cure for Sleep *Marise is a Brillo pad of a writer, spikey and essential. * Alison Spittle *Gaughan's humour is dark, biting, and painfully honest, but it is in the moments when she is being gentler to herself that her words are at their most transcendent. * Irish Independent *Trouble is an outstanding memoir, a text on addiction that gets to the heart of its implicit trauma and complications. Gaughan has a remarkable voice, self-assured yet vulnerable, frank to a staggering degree - and likeable even in her darkest moments. * The Business Post *Blistering...an outstanding memoir * Sunday Business Post *An outstanding text on addiction and girlhood, equal parts vulnerable and witty * The Business Post *Addictive, exhilarating and raw * Daisy Buchanan, author of 'Insatiable' *

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Book SynopsisModern life is stressful and complicated; it can be all too easy to feel that we're just not up to it, and so our self-esteem suffers. This pocket guide is designed to help you explore your self-esteem issues and break free from the bad habits that affect your quality of life. Packed full of guidance, techniques and exercises grounded in the latest behavioural science, this book will help you:- Ease the internal dialogue that chatters away within you- Improve your well-being and resilience- Create a fuller, more enjoyable and meaningful lifeWritten by an experienced therapist, and illustrated with examples drawn from many years of practice, this helpful little book could be your ticket to a calmer, more confident life.

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