Customer Reviews

A Peace of My Mind: A Therapist's Guide to Handling Anger and Other Difficult Emotions

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A new book on anger management? Sounded like a bore...but what an interesting book it turned out to be. I reached for my yellow marker and read paragraphs to my wife. We talked about them as she worked with Photoshop on her computer.

The chapter on stress is excellent. Anger management depends a lot on stress management. But what is stress? How can we recognize it? How can we best cope with it? These questions are handled in a way that engages the heart. "It's not stress that kills us, it's our reaction to it."

In the chapter, "Battle of the Sexes," a tremendous wealth of helpful information is given on how men and women differ and how we can learn to live with each other. Our minds work differently, we solve problems differently, we speak to each other differently, and we express anger differently. As the authors tell their anger management groups, "The only person's behavior you should be trying to control is your own."

Much of the book is about relationships: communication styles, living together as partners, jealousy, forgiveness. There's a wonderful chapter subtitled "Help For Partners of Angry People." It's going to save some lives.

For me, the chapter, "Calming the Beast Within: The Task of Emotional Regulation," is my favorite. It's right down-to-earth. Events happening to us precede our thoughts, which precede our feelings, which precede our actions. The angry person can learn to intercept his negative thoughts with "replacement thoughts" chosen to defuse and de-escalate his typical feelings and actions. Of course, it's not easy or automatic. But a person can learn about the impact different parts of his brain have on his reactions. And he can learn to get the right part of his brain in gear. So practical.

The authors helped me see that, "Often the angriest person in the room is merely the one with the greatest hurt." Anger is a secondary emotion, stemming from hurt, fear or frustration. I'm not an angry man myself, but so much of this book was for me. I learned a lot--things I can use at home and at work. I hope anything I ever write is as helpful as this book!

This very readable book distinguishes itself from other books on anger management through its human quality. The authors understand that those in need of anger management are not terrible people, but are struggling human beings who need to understand their feelings and develop the skills and coping mechanisms to be able to feel and respond differently. If you or someone you care about is having a problem with anger, this is a must read.

I love that this book is so human, and not written like a textbook. I work with helping women who are survivors of sexual and physical abuse to find healing, and also with abusers, and I feel this book is very pertinent and helpful to me in all aspects of this work. It is straightforward and easy to use these tools. They create awareness that can help change lives.

Holy Cow!!! What a fantabulous book on how to deal with anger. Everyone

should read it, and use the great information in their daily lives. On a

scale of 1-5 it is a 10. This book has opened my eyes to the reality that

we are all human and we all make mistakes.

Anger is a double edged sword which can help or hinder us depending on how we use it. "A Peace of My Mind: A Therapist's Guide to Handling Anger and Other Difficult Emotions" is an easily accessible and user-friendly self-help manual that will help readers learn to handle difficult and painful emotions that help you keep control of yourself, why cool off time helps us so much, and some relationship skills to help you and your partner live a happier life together - and there's even more than that. "A Peace of My Mind: A Therapist's Guide to Handling Anger and other Difficult Emotions" is an inspired and inspiring tome that can help its readers a great deal. Both Self-Help and Psychology community library shelves should have this guide.

I have picked up other books on anger management and just could not get interested. They read too much like a textbook. When I paged through A Peace of My Mind, I got hooked by the stories. Interspersed with the how-to are actual examples that bring the subject material to life. It's easy and fun to read and very informative as well!

This book is very helpful. Whilst seemingly directed toward men, there is no reason why women cant find all of the information helpful too, and I certainly did. I am so glad that I stumbled upon this - I feel it has change my thought processes around anger forever. Very happy customer.

My friends and I were impressed with this book. It's very easy to read and to understand. Any tool that may help you improve your life is worth your time, whether you have major anger issues or just dealing with difficult situations in everyday life. I believe that A Peace Of My Mind can assist you in making positive changes in your life or help you handle your anger in the future, if your willing to listen!