Customer Reviews

The Client's Guide to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: How to Live a Healthy, Happy Life...No Matter What!

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After 15 years of almost completely immobilizing panic disorder that completely sabotaged my self esteem, drove me to make horrible self defeating decisions, and keep me from truly living life, I sought out help in the form of something other than a prescription. I was connected with a psychologist through my primary care doctor, who just happened to be specialized in cognitive behavioral therapy, and incidentally had attended seminars and workshops lead by Mr. Pucci.

After a few rocky months where I just wasn't understanding where we were going with therapy, my doctor recommended this particular book. And all of a sudden, light bulbs were going off left and right. In a very short time, a world that had been black and white and quite scary became a place of grays, calm feelings and rational thought.

In this book, Mr. Pucci teaches you practically from page one, how to overhaul and rebuild the way you think. And with the help of very succinct examples, step by step workbook examples and diagrams, this book is an absolute must-have for those struggling with anxiety, panic or depression disorders. I would definitely recommend working with a licensed CBT therapist to help you through the book, but I wouldn't say it was at all necessary. And unlike other psychological self-help type books, The Client's Guide is concise, clear, and profound!

I consider The Client's Guide to be my Panic Disorder bible; I rarely have a few days go by that I don't flip to a certain passage or chapter as a refresher! This book, (and obviously, my fantastic psychologist,) has certainly changed my life!!!

A great self-counseling and self-help book, using clinically proven methods for improving your emotions!

Your goal for your emotions explains Pucci, is "calm." People often mistakenly believe that the only goal for significant depression and anxiety is happiness, when in fact, the goal needs to be calm. Learning to feel calm in the midst of unfortunate events allows you to more often feel happiness and contentment when things are going well.

I recommend beginning with Chapter 3, "Our Emotional ABC's." People mistakenly believe that A (Adverse events) directly cause C (Consequences of emotions, such as significant anxiety, anger, or depression). In fact, A (Adverse events) trigger B (Beliefs & self-talk) and B (Beliefs & self talk) primarily cause C (Consequences of Emotions such as depression, anxiety, anger, or your goal of Calm). When you learn the details of this essential fact and learn how to use ABC self-help methods, you will experience significant improvement in your emotions.

I have taught the ABCs to my own children when they were growing up and I practice the ABCs of emotions in my life.

A note to counselors - read this book and learn how to more easily present self-help methods to your clients in counseling sessions. This book is directly related to rational emotive behavior therapy and at [...] are listed over 500 outcome REBT research studies. All therapists want to accelerate therapy for their clients. Ask your clients to read, "The Client's Guide to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy" in order to accelerate your counseling and therapy.

Lynn Clark, clinical psychologist and author of SOS Help For Emotions: Managing Anxiety Anger And Depression. In addition to reading Pucci's book, I have attended his excellent seminar on cognitive behavior therapy for mental health professionals.

This is a great book for people who are having problems coping with panic attacks, worry, and general anxiety. I would recommend this to anyone!

As a long time anxiety sufferer, I've read all the books available pertaining to working with the symptoms. Relax, they all say. Unfortunately, relaxing only makes the issue worse as its not confronted head-on. I've always thought relaxing was the key too, but alas, this book by Pucci set the record straight. Since incorporating his techniques, I've noted enough improvement so to be able to stop taking my medication.

CBT is probably not for everyone but well worth investing the cost of the book to find out if its right for you. I don't know Pucci, but am thankful for his contribution to this issue through his book. Don't delay in ordering it. Your recovery begins the moment you begin reading it.

Best wishes to you. Send me an email if you like as I'd be interested in sharing our stories.

The basic goal of cognitive therapy is to help individuals develop healthy self-awareness of various thinking patterns that cause negative and positive emotions. Dr. Aldo Pucci's Client's Guide to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy does a first-rate job of walking a person though the process of cognitive therapy in a clear step-by-step format. It stresses the importance of setting goals and personal practice (in cognitive therapy) and emphasizes the need for individuals to apply and commit themselves to self-improvement. The guide can be used independently or as a supplement to someone already attending therapy with a professional therapist. The writing is compassionate, humorous and empathetic which are key qualities to good therapeutic writing. This is not only an excellent guide book for individuals suffering from more sever forms of emotional challenges, but can be extremely helpful to anyone who is experiencing milder forms of anxiety, depressions, or simply for someone hoping to develop healthier self-confidence. I highly recommend this guide for anyone wanting to improve their self esteem or relationships. GwB Taiwan 2009

I attended a workshop with Mr. Pucci, and felt this was an excellent resource for my clients. So far, one client has purchased a copy and finds it very helpful. I really appreciate the right brain/left brain explanation, as well as the very clear instructions on exercises.

I found some interesting and helpful information in this book. However, there are a couple of points the author makes with which I disagree. Aldo Pucci says that people "can't make you" feel a certain way; I think that, while your feelings may be colored by your past experiences, people can and do trigger sadness, anger, love, joy, etc. by their behavior towards each other. To suggest otherwise is to say that we're absolved from having any responsibility for treating one another with caring and kindness -- that's not the kind of world in which I want to live! Also, Pucci says that, beyond infancy, a person "can't be killed" from a lack of love. Again, I beg to differ; while a loveless life won't strike you dead like a bolt of lightning, there have been countless studies showing that people going through life without a partner die earlier. So, while Pucci gives some useful examples of "stinkin' thinkin'" and how to counteract such negative self-messages, his emphasis on a totally self-reliant life seems bleak and lonely to me.

This is one of the best books I have read on this subject. It is easy to understand, gets to the point, gives the most important information and the work assignments are the frosting on the cake. Anyone dealing with anxiety or depression, or those with family members dealing with it will find much needed help here.

This is something that I can use with my clients right away. CBT works well with substance abuse counseling, both individually and in groups.

This is a great book and an excellent resource. Some of the language is archaic, but still a must read.