Mind Over Mood: Change How You Feel by Changing the Way You Think (Paperback)

by Dennis Greenberger (Author), Christine Padesky (Author)
Key Phrases: hint box, balanced thoughts, balanced thinking, Thought Record, The Guilford Press, Where's the Evidence (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Mind Over Mood and its companion piece...promise to be classics. No managed care report leaves my desk without a direct reference in the treatment plan to this outstanding set of manuals."--The Orange County Psychologist
-- Review

Mind Over Mood and its companion piece...promise to be classics. No managed care report leaves my desk without a direct reference in the treatment plan to this outstanding set of manuals -- The Orange County Psychologist, July/Aug 1996

Mind Over Mood offers deceptively simple but powerful and sophisticated strategies for coping with depressed and anxious moods and interpersonal difficulties. This is a book for 'hands-on' use; it provides step-by-step descriptions of strategies that have been shown in controlled outcome studies to be effective. Mind Over Mood makes an outstanding contribution; I recommend it without reservation -- Jacqueline B. Persons, PhD, Center for Cognitive Therapy, Oakland, California

Review

"What are you struggling with in your life? What patterns in thinking have held you trapped over the years? How can you develop and automatize a new way of seeing things that helps get you out of ruts you have maintained over the years? Drs. Padesky and Greenberger give you practice in learning how to make sense of your moods, to identify your own irrational thinking and to base your thinking fully on facts. They even give you a means to challenge old thinking patterns that you developed as a child. I saw Dr. Padesky demonstrate these skills at a cognitive therapy conference. I walked away very impressed with her warm, sincere, knowledgeable, creative and rational approach to helping people change. I am delighted to recommend this workbook."--Ellen Kenner, PhD, clinical psychologist and host of The RATIONAL Basis of Happiness, a nationally syndicated radio talk show.

"I believe it is already reducing the number of distorted automatic thoughts that I have throughout my day. As a result I'm seeing myself become less afraid and less withdrawn. (The) Thought Records have helped to diffuse my overwhelmingly hot thoughts and have helped me feel a sense of control. Just writing it all down gives me a sense of it being 'emptied out of me' and released. It gave me concrete tools to use to trace my own thinking and arrive at more balanced thinking. It has given me a belief that my past doesn't have to control my present and my future. It's given me a sense of inner healing. All of the worksheets have been the key for me--concrete. They also add to the sense of progress when looking back over them and pointing out blaring themes." --from a patient who used the book

"Cognitive therapy is the wave of the future and Greenberger and Padesky are riding the crest. Mind Over Mood offers deceptively simple but powerful and sophisticated strategies for coping with depressed and anxious moods and interpersonal difficulties. This is a book for `hands-on' use; it provides step-by-step descriptions of strategies that have been shown in controlled outcome studies to be effective. Mind Over Mood makes an outstanding contribution; I recommend it without reservation." --Jacqueline B. Persons, PhD, Center for Cognitive Therapy, Oakland, California

"My cognitive appraisal of Mind Over Mood is that it is clearly written, solidly grounded in research, and truly helpful. Readers will get more than a pep talk; they will get the information, skills, and practice they need to change self-defeating thoughts into self-enhancing ones." --Carol Tavris, PhD, author of Anger: The Misunderstood Emotion

"I spent many years in and out of therapy battling depression. Mind Over Mood gave me the tools I needed to climb out of my black moods. One year later I am still depression-free and empowered by the knowledge that I have the tools to defeat it should it return." --K. D., California

"Depression left me searching desperately for ways to help myself, calm my anxiety and regain my lost self-esteem. This workbook was a constant companion during the months of recovery, as it empowered me to actively participate in the process, rather than wait passively for my next therapy session with expectations that the doctor alone would 'fix' me up. Especially useful were the activity records, which forced me to track my daily activities, rate their effect on my mood and then analyze thoughts that contributed to my various moods. This workbook served me well as a problem solving tool. I literally didn't leave home without it." --Suzanne S. , client.

"I spent many years in and out of therapy battling depression. When my therapist recommended a workbook, Mind Over Mood, I was, at first, very skeptical but the book was clear and easy to follow. I read it cover to cover. I did the exercises. They gave me the tools I needed to climb out of my black moods. One year later I am still depression free and empowered by the knowledge that I have the tools to defeat it should it return." --K.D., client

"I believe it is already reducing the number of distorted automatic thoughts that I have throughout my day. As a result, I'm seeing myself become less afraid and less withdrawn. Thought Records have helped diffuse my overwhelming hot thoughts and have helped me feel a sense of control. Just writing it all down gives me a sense of it being 'emptied out of me' and release. It have me concrete tools to use to trace my own thinking and arrive at more balanced thinking. It has given me a belief that my past doen't have to control my present and my future. It's given me a sense of inner healing. All the worksheets have been key for me -- concrete. They all add to the sense of progress when looking back over them and point out blaring themes." --M.P., client

"Prior to using the thought record, I had a lot of free-floating anxiety and panic. Since using the thought record, I have found that the act of writing out my moods and thoughts in a step by step process have given me greater understanding and acceptance. by the end of the process, my moods usually have changed to a more balanced and positive outlook." --G.D., client

"I've been in Cognitive Therapy for five months now and was introduced to Mind Over Mood after about three and one half months. I didn't really know what to expect from this manual but I knew I'd try anything to make me feel better. I can tell you honestly, after reading the first three chapters my initial thought was I wish I had it from day one. If I have to identify my sources of depression, it would be: lack of self-esteem, self hatred, personal disappointments in my life, the death of my sister, my spouse's loss of employment and currently dealing with 'Empty Nest Syndrome.' This manual has helped me to follow up after my therapy session. I use it as an aide when I'm thinking about my relationships and other aspects of my life. even after five months of therapy I tend to blame myself for situations I view as going badly (i.e., a woman I supervise at work gave her two weeks notice. I immediately blamed myself for her leaving). This manual helped me to sort out the negative assumptions. I wrote down what evidence I had to support the assumptions, then used the chapter on Alternative or Balanced Thoughts to rationalize she was leaving for her own reasons. I found myself identifying with each of the people portrayed in the case studies. This made it easier to complete the exercises. My therapy sessions alone didn't always force me to put action plans to the test, but with the help of my therapist and this manual, I'm learning the skills needed to make my life better and more productive." --Q.R., client

"Mind Over Mood is an eye opener! For the first time I understood what I was going through, what caused it and what I could do about it. It was helpful for me and helped my family understand what I was going through and why I responded the way I did." --Client

"Since I have read Mind Over Mood, I find myself identifying and changing my thoughts in different aspects of my life...parenting, marriage and work related situations. I am able to identify my feelings and work out solutions before stress, anxiety or depression occur. I am able to approach conflicts in a methodical manner and get positive resolutions. Mind Over Mood is always with me. I have one copy in the car and one in the house. Mind Over Mood has taught me how to change my mood by changing my mind." --Client

"For me, a person currently working on conquering depression, panic attacks and anxiety, Mind Over Mood has, in simple language, helped me understand their meaning and cause. Through the use of Mind Over Mood I am moving towards healing these disorders." --Client

"I have found the techniques set forth in Mind Over Mood the most effective I have known in reducing and eliminating anxiety." --Client

"Written by two exceptionally skilled therapists, this book can help you change your life. Cognitive therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for a wide range of emotional problems including depression, anxiety, panic, and anger. The careful step-by-step exercises in the book will show you how to use cognitive therapy to understand and overcome your mood problems." --David M. Clark, DPhil, Department of Psychiatry, Oxford University

"Alcoholics and addicts in their first year of sobriety often struggle with managing rapidly changing moods. Failure at this task predicts relapse. This text provides a step by step process to help alcoholics and addicts understand these mood shifts and, more importantly, to develop skills to intervene in self-destructive thought processes. It is a simple, easy to use handbook invaluable to recovering people and the therapists who work with them." --Nancy Waite-O'Brien, PhD, Clinical Director, Betty Ford Center at Eisenhower

"Mind Over Mood and its companion piece...promise to be classics. No managed care report leaves my desk without a direct reference in the treatment plan to this outstanding set of manuals."--The Orange County Psychologist

See all Editorial Reviews

---

Product Details Paperback: 243 pages Publisher: The Guilford Press; 1st edition (March 15, 1995) Language: English ISBN-10: 0898621283 ISBN-13: 978-0898621280 Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.8 inches Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (64 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,383 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in these categories: (What's this?) #1 in  Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Social Work #4 in  Books > Health, Mind & Body > Psychology & Counseling > Cognitive #4 in  Books > Health, Mind & Body > Psychology & Counseling > Psychotherapy, TA & NLP

Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

Search Inside This Book:

---

Inside This Book (learn more)

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
hint box, balanced thoughts, balanced thinking, understanding anger, understanding depression, core belief record, alternative core belief, new core belief, balanced thought, weekly activity schedule, responsibility pie, identifying core beliefs, hot thought, downward arrow technique, automatic thoughts, negative core belief, rating moods, evidence that does, thought records, strong mood

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Thought Record, The Guilford Press, Where's the Evidence, Evidence That Supports the Hot Thought, Rate Moods Now Rerate, Understanding Anxiety, Action Plans, Understanding Your Problems, Rate Hotness of Each Thought Answer, Troubleshooting Guide, One of Vic

Browse Sample Pages:
Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

Search Inside This Book:

---

Citations (learn more)

27 books cite this book:

• Life After Trauma: A Workbook for Healing by Dena Rosenbloom on 5 pages
• Overcoming the Emotional Challenges of Lymphedema by Elizabeth McMahon on page 40, page 172, and page 262
• Theory and Practice of Counselling & Therapy by Dr Richard Nelson-Jones on page 358, and page 359
• Raising Depression-Free Children: A Parent's Guide to Prevention and Early Intervention by Kathleen Hockey in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
• The Lazy Person's Handbook: Short Cuts to Get Everything You Want with the Least Possible Effort by Marc Favreau on page 71, and Back Matter

See all 27 books citing this book

---

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	91% buy the item featured on this page: Mind Over Mood: Change How You Feel by Changing the Way You Think 4.5 out of 5 stars (64) $16.29
	3% buy Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy Revised and Updated 4.3 out of 5 stars (229) $7.99
	3% buy Thoughts & Feelings: Taking Control of Your Moods and Your Life (Workbook Workbook) 4.6 out of 5 stars (20) $14.93
	2% buy The Feeling Good Handbook 4.5 out of 5 stars (99) $19.60

Explore similar items

---

Tags Customers Associate with This Product  (What's this?) Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people. Check the boxes next to the tags you consider relevant or enter your own tags in the field below. depression(18) cognitive therapy(17) self-help(13) cbt(12) anxiety(9) counseling(5) psychotherapy(2) anger(1) cognitive behavioral therapy(1) control(1) mental illness(1) See all 18 tags... Your tags: Add your first tag

Search Products Tagged with   See most popular tags

Help others find this product — tag it for Amazon search

No one has tagged this product for Amazon search yet. Why not be the first to suggest a search for which it should appear?

---

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

---

 

Customer Reviews

64 Reviews 5 star:  (45) 4 star:  (13) 3 star:  (3) 2 star:  (1) 1 star:  (2)           Average Customer Review 4.5 out of 5 stars (64 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 195 of 197 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars excellent introduction to CBT, April 16, 2003 By  Jonathan Kandell (Tucson, AZ United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    I've used this workbook successfully as a therapist at a community mental health clinic serving poorer clients in Tucson AZ. I've used it in individual and group therapy. Frankly, I've found "Mind Over Mood" much more user-friendly than the more popular "Feeling Good Handbook" by David Burns, which contains similar cognitive therapy methods. The "thought record" chart, in particular--the heart of CBT--is more straightforward in Mind Over Mood. They've set up seven intuitive columns, from left to right. Burns's version of this chart, where each situation and emotion is listed separately at the top of the page, tends to confuse people, in my experience. I really like the way Greenberger and Padesky put in little hint questions in small type at the bottom of the columns, to remind you what you're supposed to be doing without having to go back and read the text. And the book is full of terrific hint boxes which give you questions to ask yourself if you're having trouble understanding the exercises. I have not seen this anywhere else. Defects? 1) This book doesn't contain the richness of material of the Burns or other CBT workbooks. The chapters on specific conditions at the end are pretty paltry. It's really just a very large book on how to do a thought record. 2) The authors limit evaluating automatic thoughts to "evidence for", "evidence against", and a "reasonable alternative". This rigid empirical model is not suited to everyone or every situation. Surprisingly, there is no discussion of or columns for "cognitive distortions" (Burns) or "disputes" (Ellis). This is a major defect, but one can work around it by expanding what is allowed in the "evidence against" columns. Overall though, an excellent book for use in clinical settings with general mental health patients. I find myself pulling it out much more often than my other CBT books sitting next to it on my shelf. Once clients get the hang of cognitive therapy, I introduce more sophisticated material; but I haven't found a better starting point. 121 of 128 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Thinking clearly, feeling better -- it works!, July 17, 1999 By A Customer Depression descends like a veil separating the person from the processes of life and creating a dark closet where videotapes of pain experienced and hope lost play continuously. Turning off the mind videos, transitioning from sad to ok, sleeping and eating on a regular schedule, moving from self-criticism to self-acceptance can be difficult on the best of days. Mind Over Mood provides insightful narratives relating the experiences of others to the experiences I was feeling - I could begin to see the authors' cast of characters in my own mirror and begin healing with them. But more than that, Mind Over Mood contributes hands on tools that have started a process of discovery about how I think, what I'm feeling, how I react and how to chart a balanced life course. Drs. Greenberger and Padesky are acclaimed in the book's foreword by Aaron T. Beck, the pioneer of cognitive therapy, for their "vision and innovation" as well as their abilities to teach what they practice. It is probable, however, that their contributions to the lives of their readers will be documented as their greatest success. Acknowledging that "emotions generally enrich our lives, (but) too much emotion can be disruptive", the authors provide a framework to sort automatic thoughts and core beliefs about ourselves, others and the world. Mind Over Mood's worksheets prompt insights in the first chapter at the first reading and guide the reader to developing introspective and comprehensive perspectives about seemingly modest predicaments as well as significant events. Their approach is empathetic and their tools are practical as they help all of us enhance our mental flexibility. As parents struggle to develop well-rounded children, as teachers challenge students to not only think creatively but to think in balanced ways, as managers try to impart emotional intelligence to create agile workers, Mind Over Mood offers an approach appropriate for multiple forums and principles central to improving the quality of all lives. No book is a substitute for the guidance of a qualified and understanding therapist in crisis situations. However, Mind Over Mood clearly provides tools to identify and organize thoughts and moods to feel better and to set action plans that challenge our assumptions, reduce distorted thinking, and establish a solid platform for personal growth and improved relationships. In more basic terms, Mind Over Mood continues to work for me - I carry the concepts with me everyday. I would wish the same comfort for you and your family. 72 of 74 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars powerful, easy tools conquer depression/anxiety, October 13, 2004 By  L. Rephann "curious about everything" (Brooklyn, New York United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    After years in therapy and various methods (Freudian, Jungian, etc.), it was finally Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) that helped me stop the negative, worrying (a facet of anxiety) voices that blared incessantly in my mind. I can not recommend this book enough. Its simple exercises will have you seeing the fallacy of your thoughts, which are what determine your mood. The book (and CBT's) superbly simplistic idea is that your THOUGHTS are what control your MOODS. Control your thoughts, and you control your moods. But before we can do this, we have to slow down enough to take the time to see where our thoughts are coming from. This book and its exercises help us find where we are simply WRONG in the thoughts we have about ourselves which lead to depressed or anxious mood. These exercises will help you determine your "hot thoughts," (automatic thoughts you hold about yourself that are linked to depressed/anxious mood), will help you examine evidence for and against your thoughts, and then help you use this evidence to create NEW THOUGHTS which ought to in turn help you create NEW MOODS. These techniques are amazingly simple but also incredibly powerful. If you feel stuck in "talk therapy" analysis and can not seem to change the way you think about yourself, this book is for you! However, you should also seek a trained COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPIST to teach you the techniques to literally CHANGE your thought process. Anxiety and depression are more and more common in our society, and much of what causes these mood disturbances is our incorrect/unfounded thoughts about ourselves. Once we learn to manage our thoughts, we learn to change our mood. This book and what it teaches is life-changing.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 4.0 out of 5 stars Helpfulness I have been reading many books about CBT, anxiety, and mindfulness. All three topic are important but this workbook makes CBT an easier and more proctive process. Read more Published 7 days ago by Paul D. Lorenz 5.0 out of 5 stars JulStiles I received the book in the condition I expected it to be in, slightly used but looking good overall. No wrinkles or dogeared pages. Very nice, thank you. Published 10 days ago by Julie Loiacano 5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent introduction to cognitive therapy This book is a must buy for people who are undergoing cognitive therapy. It helped me a lot, and I am sure it will help many other people... Published 11 days ago by Dr. Donna Comissiong 5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Source for Cognitive Behavioral Intervention in Therapy As a clinical social worker and marriage and family therapist, I have been using "Mind Over Mood" with my clients for close to a decade. Read more Published 26 days ago by B. Brody 5.0 out of 5 stars A great CBT self help book I bought this book and let it sit on my bookshelf for 6 months completely ignored. I should have gotten started on it much earlier. Read more Published 1 month ago by Nicole Mathisen 3.0 out of 5 stars MIND OVER MOOD COMMON SENSE TOPIC AND CONTENT. NOT AS EASY TO DO IN REAL LIFE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION. Published 1 month ago by Linda S. Olsen 4.0 out of 5 stars Mind over Mood Although the wrong book was sent - my search was for Clinicians Guide to Mind over Mood - it was sent promptly and with a mimimum of fuss. Read more Published 1 month ago by Kiwi Counsellor 5.0 out of 5 stars NEVER GO WRONG I HAVE TOLD ALL MY BUSINESS PARTNERS ABOUT THIS PLACE I ORDER THIS BOOK FROM NOW THEY ALL MAKE PURCHESES FROM HERE. MY ORDER WAS VERY FAST AND VERY, VERY GOOD CONDITION. Read more Published 3 months ago by J&S MART 4.0 out of 5 stars Easy Reading I have not quite finished "Mind over Mood", but so far it has been an easy read and easy to understand. Read more Published 5 months ago by S. Darrah 4.0 out of 5 stars excellent This seller was amazingly fast with my order and the book is an excellent read. Thank you so much! Published 5 months ago by Yvonne R. Collins Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

---

Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)

New! See all customer communities, and bookmark your communities to keep track of them.

This product's forum (0 discussions)   Discussion Replies Latest Post   No discussions yet Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight Start a new discussion Topic: First post: Receive e-mail when new posts are made Prompts for sign-in   [Cancel] Guidelines Active discussions in related forums   Discussion Replies Latest Post science in 140 characters or fewer... 18 1 minute ago science Methods to fight back against creationists 16 6 minutes ago health Is Spanking a lovable or harmful form of disipline? 4358 15 minutes ago health Should we have free healthcare in the U.S.?(and is it possible?) 2732 38 minutes ago self-help Do you create your own Reality yes or no? 43 1 hour ago self-help date rape 251 3 hours ago depression If you could pick only one book that helped with your depression: 2 4 hours ago

The Depression community Latest activity 19 hours ago 3,980 customers have contributed 2,224 products, 244 lists & guides and more... › Explore the community The Self-help community Latest activity 48 minutes ago 12,626 customers have contributed 9,247 products, 250 discussions and more... › Explore the community The Counseling community Latest activity 6 hours ago 1,471 customers have contributed 1,417 products, 75 lists & guides and more... › Explore the community Related forums cbt cognitive... counseling (3 discussions) depression (10 discussions) health (540 discussions) science (1023 discussions) self-help (250 discussions) Explore more › See all Customer Communities › Your communities

---

Product Information from the Amapedia Community

Beta (What's this?)

Be the first person to add an article about this item at Amapedia.com.

› See featured Amapedia.com articles

---

Listmania!

Mental health books that changed my life: A list by moon tree   My Personal Collection: A list by Book Gobbler "Alice G"   Best self-help books for depression: A list by Talia Mana Create a Listmania! list

Search Listmania!

---

So You'd Like to...

Beat depression and live your life: A guide by Honey B "spy in the house of bobo"   Connect With Your Self: A guide by Carolyn Anderson Create a guide

Search Guides

---

Look for Similar Items by Category

• Books > Health, Mind & Body > Mental Health > Compulsive Behavior
• Books > Health, Mind & Body > Mental Health > Emotions
• Books > Health, Mind & Body > Mental Health > Mood Disorders
• Books > Health, Mind & Body > Psychology & Counseling > Cognitive
• Books > Health, Mind & Body > Psychology & Counseling > Psychoanalysis
• Books > Health, Mind & Body > Psychology & Counseling > Psychotherapy, TA & NLP
• Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Social Work
• Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Behavioral Sciences > Cognitive Psychology
• Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Behavioral Sciences > Cognitive Science
• Books > Science > Behavioral Sciences > Cognitive Psychology

---

Get Creative with Dremel Power Tools Take on your next project with a versatile Dremel power tool. Shop now and save on Dremel power tools and take advantage of FREE Super Saver Shipping to save even more. ›Shop Dremel tools

Best Books of 2008 Find our top 100 editors' picks as well as customers' favorites in dozens of categories in our Best Books of 2008 Store.

Buy Three Books, Get a Fourth Free Order any four eligible books under $10 and get the lowest-price book free in our 4-for-3 Books Store. See more details.

Enhance Your World A mirror is a simple and affordable way to enlarge your space and an essential tool for personal care. Find mirrors and more in Home Improvement. ›Shop for mirrors now

Ad feedback

 

Feedback If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? Is there any other feedback you would like to provide? Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. Please note that we are unable to respond directly to all feedback submitted via this form, but we'll ask you to sign in so we can contact you if needed.

Where's My Stuff? Track your recent orders. View or change your orders in Your Account. Shipping & Returns See our shipping rates & policies. See FREE shipping information. Return an item (here's our Returns Policy). Need Help? Forgot your password? Buy gift cards. Visit our Help department.

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)

You have no recently viewed items or searches. After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.	Continue shopping: Top Sellers Free by Chris Anderson 3.5 out of 5 stars (15)$0.00 Paranoia by Joseph Finder 4.1 out of 5 stars (203)$0.00 My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent 3.2 out of 5 stars (6)$0.00 Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning 3.7 out of 5 stars (224)$0.00

Amazon.com Home  |   Directory of All Stores

International Sites:  Canada  |  United Kingdom  |  Germany  |  Japan  |  France  |  China

Business Programs: Sell on Amazon  |  Build an eCommerce Site  |  Advertise With Us  |  Developer Services  |  Self-Publish with Us

Help  |  View Cart  |  Your Account  |  1-Click Settings  |  Join Associates  |  Join Advantage

Careers at Amazon  |  Investor Relations  |  Press Releases  |  Corporate Responsibility

Conditions of Use | Privacy Notice © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

Product Details

• Paperback: 243 pages
• Publisher: The Guilford Press; 1st edition (March 15, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898621283
• ISBN-13: 978-0898621280
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,383 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #1 in	Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Social Work
  #4 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Psychology & Counseling > Cognitive
  #4 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Psychology & Counseling > Psychotherapy, TA & NLP

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

195 of 197 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars excellent introduction to CBT, April 16, 2003

By	Jonathan Kandell (Tucson, AZ United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've used this workbook successfully as a therapist at a community mental health clinic serving poorer clients in Tucson AZ. I've used it in individual and group therapy. Frankly, I've found "Mind Over Mood" much more user-friendly than the more popular "Feeling Good Handbook" by David Burns, which contains similar cognitive therapy methods. The "thought record" chart, in particular--the heart of CBT--is more straightforward in Mind Over Mood. They've set up seven intuitive columns, from left to right. Burns's version of this chart, where each situation and emotion is listed separately at the top of the page, tends to confuse people, in my experience.

I really like the way Greenberger and Padesky put in little hint questions in small type at the bottom of the columns, to remind you what you're supposed to be doing without having to go back and read the text. And the book is full of terrific hint boxes which give you questions to ask yourself if you're having trouble understanding the exercises. I have not seen this anywhere else.

Defects? 1) This book doesn't contain the richness of material of the Burns or other CBT workbooks. The chapters on specific conditions at the end are pretty paltry. It's really just a very large book on how to do a thought record. 2) The authors limit evaluating automatic thoughts to "evidence for", "evidence against", and a "reasonable alternative". This rigid empirical model is not suited to everyone or every situation. Surprisingly, there is no discussion of or columns for "cognitive distortions" (Burns) or "disputes" (Ellis). This is a major defect, but one can work around it by expanding what is allowed in the "evidence against" columns.

Overall though, an excellent book for use in clinical settings with general mental health patients. I find myself pulling it out much more often than my other CBT books sitting next to it on my shelf. Once clients get the hang of cognitive therapy, I introduce more sophisticated material; but I haven't found a better starting point.

121 of 128 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thinking clearly, feeling better -- it works!, July 17, 1999

By A Customer

Depression descends like a veil separating the person from the processes of life and creating a dark closet where videotapes of pain experienced and hope lost play continuously. Turning off the mind videos, transitioning from sad to ok, sleeping and eating on a regular schedule, moving from self-criticism to self-acceptance can be difficult on the best of days. Mind Over Mood provides insightful narratives relating the experiences of others to the experiences I was feeling - I could begin to see the authors' cast of characters in my own mirror and begin healing with them. But more than that, Mind Over Mood contributes hands on tools that have started a process of discovery about how I think, what I'm feeling, how I react and how to chart a balanced life course.

Drs. Greenberger and Padesky are acclaimed in the book's foreword by Aaron T. Beck, the pioneer of cognitive therapy, for their "vision and innovation" as well as their abilities to teach what they practice. It is probable, however, that their contributions to the lives of their readers will be documented as their greatest success. Acknowledging that "emotions generally enrich our lives, (but) too much emotion can be disruptive", the authors provide a framework to sort automatic thoughts and core beliefs about ourselves, others and the world. Mind Over Mood's worksheets prompt insights in the first chapter at the first reading and guide the reader to developing introspective and comprehensive perspectives about seemingly modest predicaments as well as significant events. Their approach is empathetic and their tools are practical as they help all of us enhance our mental flexibility.

As parents struggle to develop well-rounded children, as teachers challenge students to not only think creatively but to think in balanced ways, as managers try to impart emotional intelligence to create agile workers, Mind Over Mood offers an approach appropriate for multiple forums and principles central to improving the quality of all lives. No book is a substitute for the guidance of a qualified and understanding therapist in crisis situations. However, Mind Over Mood clearly provides tools to identify and organize thoughts and moods to feel better and to set action plans that challenge our assumptions, reduce distorted thinking, and establish a solid platform for personal growth and improved relationships. In more basic terms, Mind Over Mood continues to work for me - I carry the concepts with me everyday. I would wish the same comfort for you and your family.

72 of 74 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars powerful, easy tools conquer depression/anxiety, October 13, 2004

By	L. Rephann "curious about everything" (Brooklyn, New York United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

After years in therapy and various methods (Freudian, Jungian, etc.), it was finally Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) that helped me stop the negative, worrying (a facet of anxiety) voices that blared incessantly in my mind.

I can not recommend this book enough. Its simple exercises will have you seeing the fallacy of your thoughts, which are what determine your mood. The book (and CBT's) superbly simplistic idea is that your THOUGHTS are what control your MOODS. Control your thoughts, and you control your moods. But before we can do this, we have to slow down enough to take the time to see where our thoughts are coming from. This book and its exercises help us find where we are simply WRONG in the thoughts we have about ourselves which lead to depressed or anxious mood.

These exercises will help you determine your "hot thoughts," (automatic thoughts you hold about yourself that are linked to depressed/anxious mood), will help you examine evidence for and against your thoughts, and then help you use this evidence to create NEW THOUGHTS which ought to in turn help you create NEW MOODS.

These techniques are amazingly simple but also incredibly powerful. If you feel stuck in "talk therapy" analysis and can not seem to change the way you think about yourself, this book is for you! However, you should also seek a trained COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPIST to teach you the techniques to literally CHANGE your thought process.

Anxiety and depression are more and more common in our society, and much of what causes these mood disturbances is our incorrect/unfounded thoughts about ourselves. Once we learn to manage our thoughts, we learn to change our mood. This book and what it teaches is life-changing.