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The CBT Handbook: A comprehensive guide to using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to overcome depression, anxiety and anger
Overcoming app now available via iTunes and the Google Play Store.Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or CBT is widely recommended nowadays in the NHS for the treatment of emotional and psychological problems, such as depression, low self-esteem, low mood, chronic anxiety, stress or out-of-control anger. This thorough yet easy-to-read general self-help guide is a must-have for anyone experiencing these common problems. Based on the popular and proven therapy CBT, it is written by two of the UK's leading experts in the field of CBT.It studies and step-by-step CBT-based exercises.Based on the very latest research into CBT.Addresses problems associated with depression, anxiety, stress, anger and low self-esteem inindividual chapters.Both for those suffering from these issues and clinicians.
625 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 17, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 1, 2015
Disclaimer: While I aim to be unbiased, I received a copy of this for free to review.
I should probably start this by explaining what CBT is, because if you’re new to it then you won’t really understand the concept of the book. We’re talking about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which is typically used to overcome depression, anxiety and anger. I suffer from depression and anxiety, which is more common than you might think, and so when I was offered the chance to review this book, I thought, why not?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is basically a form of self-help, but it’s one of the most successful treatments that’s out there and way better than some of the hippie shit that people suggest, like meditation and yoga. I’m sure that works for a lot of people, but it tends to stress me out even more – CBT, meanwhile, is all about changing the way that you think about things, and it’s surprisingly effective.
In this book, the two authors explain everything that you need to know about depression, anxiety and anger issues, from the root causes of them to the physical sensations that they cause and the behaviour that they can lead to. With many mental health issues, simply being aware of what you’re facing can make a huge difference to your overall prognosis, and I’ve personally found that the information provided makes life a lot easier.
And then there are the activities that the authors suggest that you take – see, although there are a hell of a lot of pages here, a lot of them are part of the appendix, which is there so that you can follow along with the activities that the authors recommend. I didn’t actually do those, but I’m well aware of their importance – in fact, I’ll probably come back to it at a later date when I’ve got a little more time, and then I can read back through it again, whilst doing the activities.
I actually found this book so useful that I made a recommendation in person for it, because I’m so convinced that people will find it useful. The only downside to it is its price, but then it’s a small price to pay for peace of mind, as they say. Personally, I think that it’s a great thing that the two authors are doing, because their book has the potential to change a lot of lives for the better.
I haven’t seen a more well-researched and comprehensive book about mental health for a long time, and I read quite a lot of books on the subject. You probably won’t get much out of this if you don’t take the time to follow through with the activities, and so you’ll need to already have a desire to beat your condition. In some ways, it’s like trying to kick an addiction – the first step is acknowledging that you have a problem and committing yourself to change. If you’re at that stage, this is going to do more for you than medication.
I should probably start this by explaining what CBT is, because if you’re new to it then you won’t really understand the concept of the book. We’re talking about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which is typically used to overcome depression, anxiety and anger. I suffer from depression and anxiety, which is more common than you might think, and so when I was offered the chance to review this book, I thought, why not?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is basically a form of self-help, but it’s one of the most successful treatments that’s out there and way better than some of the hippie shit that people suggest, like meditation and yoga. I’m sure that works for a lot of people, but it tends to stress me out even more – CBT, meanwhile, is all about changing the way that you think about things, and it’s surprisingly effective.
In this book, the two authors explain everything that you need to know about depression, anxiety and anger issues, from the root causes of them to the physical sensations that they cause and the behaviour that they can lead to. With many mental health issues, simply being aware of what you’re facing can make a huge difference to your overall prognosis, and I’ve personally found that the information provided makes life a lot easier.
And then there are the activities that the authors suggest that you take – see, although there are a hell of a lot of pages here, a lot of them are part of the appendix, which is there so that you can follow along with the activities that the authors recommend. I didn’t actually do those, but I’m well aware of their importance – in fact, I’ll probably come back to it at a later date when I’ve got a little more time, and then I can read back through it again, whilst doing the activities.
I actually found this book so useful that I made a recommendation in person for it, because I’m so convinced that people will find it useful. The only downside to it is its price, but then it’s a small price to pay for peace of mind, as they say. Personally, I think that it’s a great thing that the two authors are doing, because their book has the potential to change a lot of lives for the better.
I haven’t seen a more well-researched and comprehensive book about mental health for a long time, and I read quite a lot of books on the subject. You probably won’t get much out of this if you don’t take the time to follow through with the activities, and so you’ll need to already have a desire to beat your condition. In some ways, it’s like trying to kick an addiction – the first step is acknowledging that you have a problem and committing yourself to change. If you’re at that stage, this is going to do more for you than medication.
December 21, 2020
A great experience.... I do not want to tell you too much. But if you are looking for some meaning, some orientation go throught. It helps me a lot even for spend some time thinking about myself.
This book was really helpfull during the lockdown. Also interesting for students , social care workers. It have a loot of exercices ... is more than a book.
This book was really helpfull during the lockdown. Also interesting for students , social care workers. It have a loot of exercices ... is more than a book.
October 30, 2025
Not the most helpful book on CBT therapy. Just a load of tables, charts and graphs which really did nothing to help me ease my anxiety and low mood.
This book may have been better if it included more text and information on how to manage my condition instead of just using graphical text to convey the message. I will now be on the lookout for a more informative book on CBT.
This book may have been better if it included more text and information on how to manage my condition instead of just using graphical text to convey the message. I will now be on the lookout for a more informative book on CBT.
June 24, 2022
Great introduction to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which I’ve been curious about for years since I first heard about it in classes at Uni. For those suffering from the most common psychological issues (depression, anxiety, low self esteem, anger), this is a great way of learning strategies that will help anyone to change their thinking and thereby their behaviours, leading to improvements in overall life satisfaction.
Also interesting to discover that some of my own most effective strategies for improving my mood in dark times are the same as what is outlined - a testament to the power of these strategies, but also I have some pangs of regret that I didn’t learn about some of these strategies and thought processes earlier in life. Easier to learn from the professionals than to do trial and error to find the effective strategies to deal with depression etc!
Also interesting to discover that some of my own most effective strategies for improving my mood in dark times are the same as what is outlined - a testament to the power of these strategies, but also I have some pangs of regret that I didn’t learn about some of these strategies and thought processes earlier in life. Easier to learn from the professionals than to do trial and error to find the effective strategies to deal with depression etc!
September 28, 2018
Great book! CBT is more like work as opposed to reading. If you got the kindle version like me, there are lots of tables and graphs to create in a word document, it’s quite gruelling, but the rewards are worth it. I got a lot of out of it, definitely glad I completed this book.
January 7, 2025
It's like reading the book of the app. Really simple concise, easy to follow. Can be used for self care or as a guide or training manual for anxiety, depression, self-esteem and anger. Easy to follow and helpful case formulations. Gives me a step by step idea of how to approach things. Lots of tools. I suspect there's an app of this by now. Has self reflection pages and lots of space between sections so as not to overwhelm. Looked mountainous but has been totally manageable and accessible. Only three stars from a publishing point of view, as it is really a self help guide, then why isn't it bigger, and easier to open, fold back, write in. The book is bulky, I would get tired just holding it open.
October 29, 2022
It was okay, some of the activities are good and it's a great way to start processing a different understanding. I think perhaps I'm more of someone who needs a real life person with them to benefit, it was a struggle for some of the examples to think of relevant experience, I just came up blank! Still useful and gives lots of examples of books regarding each specific thing they cover re anger, self esteem etc to look into further
February 16, 2022
A great book if you are studying Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, or any kind of therapy. It is written in a clear simple way. Using thorough guides in each chapter as the next step. Focusing on common problems progressing how you look at the world around you.
However having said this it is a very large book to carry around and would be helpful if the worksheets were removable.
Happy reading!
However having said this it is a very large book to carry around and would be helpful if the worksheets were removable.
Happy reading!
November 20, 2018
Excellent book on CBT with great worksheets to use when reading. Made CBT very accessible!
January 31, 2019
So this book wound me up right at the start. It is overly arrogant about what CBT can achieve and dismissive of other types of therapy: it actually contains false assertions about how CBT has been proven to be more effective than other therapies, which is categorically not true. The only meta-analysis of research about therapy that I am aware of has found that it makes little difference what methodology you adhere to, success in counselling is associated with a good relationship between client and counsellor.
That being said, however, there are definitely some useful parts to this book. It is sensible self-help and if you have the energy to work your way through it diligently and fill in the exercises, you are likely to benefit from it. But some of it may make you grind your teeth in rage at hearing such simplistic solutions suggested for what may be entrenched problems in your life. So perhaps read the section on dealing with anger first, that's my advice.
If you manage to persevere as far as the section on considering your beliefs and your childhood experiences you may find it useful. I'd warmed to it more by this point.
That being said, however, there are definitely some useful parts to this book. It is sensible self-help and if you have the energy to work your way through it diligently and fill in the exercises, you are likely to benefit from it. But some of it may make you grind your teeth in rage at hearing such simplistic solutions suggested for what may be entrenched problems in your life. So perhaps read the section on dealing with anger first, that's my advice.
If you manage to persevere as far as the section on considering your beliefs and your childhood experiences you may find it useful. I'd warmed to it more by this point.
April 30, 2019
Wish that it had separate printable worksheets. Would be much better than trying to write in the back of the book.
February 1, 2021
I have had CBT in the past for coping with my OCD and I was recommended this book by my friend who is studying psychology at Uni. It contains a lot of useful information and things I have used in the past which I want to try practicing again. I would have liked to have seen how it can help with OCD but understandably it can't cover every topic.
November 16, 2023
A really useful and practical guide to CBT with many exercises
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews