Effective communication is a critical skill that influences your professional success, the stability of your family life, and your personal happiness. Your ability to communicate effectively is seriously hampered if you can't assert yourself constructively. If you've ever felt paralyzed by an imposing individual or strongly argued opposing point of view, you know that a lack of assertiveness can leave you feeling marginalized and powerless. The Assertiveness Workbook contains effective, cognitive behavioral techniques to help you become more assertive. Learn how to set and maintain personal boundaries without becoming inaccessible. Become more genuine and open in relationships without fearing attack. Defend yourself when you are criticized or asked to submit to unreasonable requests.
I am a psychologist in Vancouver Canada, specializing in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and related difficulties. In 2002 I established Changeways Clinic (www.changeways.com), which now has seven psychologists. As well as seeing clients, we create treatment protocols and resources for clinicians. Our group therapy protocol for depression, The Core Program, is the most widely used protocol in Canada, and has been implemented in the USA, Great Britain, China, Hong Kong, Australia, and elsewhere. I've recorded many of the stories and exercises we use in the group as a series of eight one-hour talks, and have packaged that with the participants' manual - it's available for purchase from the clinic website.
In 2000, the Changeways protocol for communication skills training formed the foundation of The Assertiveness Workbook, from New Harbinger Publications. In 2002 the same publisher brought out Your Depression Map. Most recently, Private Practice Made Simple was published in June 2010.
I write books, resources, and protocols somewhat narcissistically. Is this something that I would want to read or use? I aim for clarity, a minimum of jargon, and something that can readily be put into practice. I have a few writing projects in the works at the moment, and hope to come out with additional books in the coming years.
I also enjoy teaching, and have offered over 200 training workshops for mental health clinicians on cognitive behaviour therapy, the treatment of depression and anxiety, diversity awareness, and private practice management. In 2012 I will be offering a workshop series on practice management (based on Private Practice Made Simple) in cities across Canada. Many of my workshops are sponsored by outside agencies such as health management organizations; information on hosting is available at the www.changeways.com website.
In 2009 the Clinic initiated PsychologySalon, a monthly talk series offered in Vancouver for the general public. In spring 2011 I launched www.psychologysalon.com, a blog on psychology and professional practice.
In my private time I enjoy travel, and I operate a small orchard in the British Columbia interior. Many of the pictures on my blog come from the farm, and these days much of my writing is done there. I hope you enjoy my work, and that shortly there will be more of it available!
