Customer Reviews

The Self-Esteem Workbook

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Everyone talks about the importance of self-esteem, but how exactly do you go about increasing it? The Self-Esteem Workbook is a sequence of 27 short chapters that address various aspects of self-esteem along with exercises that promote awareness and change. Schiraldi argues that unconditional worth, love, and growing are the three factors that help self-esteem to flourish, and each gets its own section. For example, in the unconditional worth section, readers are asked to rate themselves on certain personality characteristics and then to reflect on which attributes they feel best about. The concept of self-esteem that is used throughout is the psychological construct, not the kind of "self-esteem" where everyone on the team gets prizes.

This book is a tremendous resource for therapists and those who want to increase their self-esteem. I have used various chapters with clients and have encouraged some to just buy the whole book. The chapters are short and don't take that long to get through. The writing is clear and appropriate for people who are not necessarily in the mental health field. The approach is a combination of Rogerian and cognitive-behavioral and would be applicable to a broad client base, although many of the exercises are probably too cognitive for children. Some clients may have difficulty with chapter 14, where readers come up with a list of 10 positive statements about themselves, and so it may be a good idea to discuss this particular exercise in therapy. Overall, a great resource.

A wonderful workbook for someone who is in distress. Dr. Schiraldi has the comforting gift of communicating his ideas as if he is in your presence speaking to you. The many different quotes he uses helped me in my introspection, and helped me to clarify my own thoughts and feelings. Through creative exercises The Self Esteem Workbook helped me to learn how to appreciate myself physically, mentally, and emotionally.

I have dealt with anxiety from time to time in my life. Lately, I decided to go to a therapist who recommended this book. This book has helped me understand that some beliefs from my childhood are distorted such as "boys don't cry,"and it is wrong to get angry, so I am learning how to use techniques in order to replace negative thoughts into more positive ones. I am learning a lot about myself because of this book. More importantly, I am learning to deal with my anxiety effectively. I wished I had applied these techniques in my childhood, but you know the saying, "it is never too late."

In the 25 years experience in the field of trauma, abuse & addiction I've found that healing begins at the core and the seed in the core is self esteem. How does one get to the core when it's emersed in the mire of denial and shrouded in the defense mechanisms of hurt. Schiraldi has a practical, clear step-by-step method of peeling away the layers of dark so one can emerge into the light of self understanding, self compassion, forgiveness and love. This work builds an identity which is based on our own treasure trove of experiences as a survivor with wisdom and consciousness of being part of a whole. Schiraldi offers the individual working solo, or a health care practitioner a simple systematic breakdown of the complex components of self esteem. Depending on one's depth of pain and willingness will determine if one will stick to a four month comittment to use Shiraldi's roadmap to change your perceptions in order to change your life.

this book is one of the most commonly borrowed books by patients. they report liking it and it helping them in making progress in their journey to greater sense of self worth. i personally liked it, as well. easy read. not the most academically-based, researched book, but, then, it's supposed to be an applied workbook. another reviewer wrote about not liking the anti-gay sentiments. i, maybe not as astute as that writer, found that the issue wasn't as much anti-gay as it is the person who is gay who doesn't accept one's self. either way, it's turned out to be an excellent book, i would recommend it and i think that it was definitely worth the purchase price, new.

IT WORKS! Thank you Dr. Schiraldi. Going through the exercises made me realize that I'm a better, stronger person than I thought I was.
You've given me a completely new perspective - and the tools I need to change my outlook.
Marie E. Adell
P.S. I feel as if I know you - you write with such warmth, understanding and good humor - as if you were speaking directly to me. Thanks, again

This workbook describes in a very simple and comprehensive way exactly what self-esteem is, and breaks down the otherwise erroneous cemented beliefs we've had of what it means to have and to build self-esteem. The writers are clever and humorous while they walk the reader through a process of enlightenment using a no nonsense approach to each chapter. I've really enjoyed this workbook. It has definitely helped to change my thinking and helped me grow.

I highly recommend this. I am someone who knew I needed a little help with my self-confidence/esteem, but it wasn't something that was debilitating. I just knew I wasn't reaching my potential, and it was because I seemed to be sabotaging myself and holding myself back. I can't afford therapy, so I thought I would get a book to work through and see if that helped.

All people considering buying this book should use the "look inside" feature to see if it clicks with them. It clicked instantly with me.

The section on Automatic Thoughts (ATs) that starts on page 40 is more than worth its weight in gold. Reading that, I couldn't help but be struck by how silly such thoughts are, yet how pervasive. I have used the activities in the beginning section of the book for the past 10 months at pretty irregular intervals, but even so, it is amazing how different my outlook is already. I had scribbled a bunch of notes in the book back when I first read it, and looking at at those now is like night and day.

I am usually skeptical of people who make such bold claims (diets that promise to lose 10 pounds a week, get rich quick schemes, etc). But using this workbook a little per week, or irregularly as I did, and paying conscious attention to thought patterns and recognizing where they stray into the unhealthy, has made a difference.

Thanks!

This book is great. I like it because it has a lot of worksheets to do. I'm not a big in to reading so that is why I like this book so much. It's more hands on. And it has really made my self esteem a lot better!!!

I have found Dr. Schiraldi's book very helpful. This is not the first book that I have read from his masterfully written series of the art of the soul and psychological healing. I personally believe that one day his magnificent books will and should be a part of the core program of every healthcare professional including physicians. I thank him for his efforts.