You Are More Than Your Body: 30+ Evidence-Based Strategies for Living Well with Chronic Illness--By a clinical therapist living with cerebral palsy

by Jennifer Caspari

A gentle, supportive guide to developing coping skills and improving quality of life for disabled and chronically ill people

Managing the stresses of everyday life can be exhausting and overwhelming. Dr. Jennifer Caspari knows this struggle well—both through her work as a clinical psychologist and her lived experience as a disabled woman with cerebral palsy. You Are More Than Your Body weaves together clinical expertise, personal stories, and practical, evidence-based tools to help readers with chronic health conditions better cope with pain, fatigue, depression, and the emotional vulnerability that comes with living in a world not designed for our bodies. 
The methods in this book synthesize a wide range of emotional regulation skills and coping techniques drawn from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and mindfulness practices, all of which Dr. Caspari has successfully used with her own clients. In this book, you’ll learn over thirty practical coping skills to help

tune into internal experience and connect with your body; 
shift mental focus;
cultivate self-compassion and radical acceptance; 
change your relationship with your thoughts; 
engage the power of the present to get unstuck; 
practice realistic goal-setting;
tap into your deepest values as a resource;
tolerate discomfort; and
give yourselves permission to do things differently.

Each chapter includes a personal story or experience; a self-reflection exercise; associated coping skills; and practical guidance on how you can start using these tools in your own life. 
Having a disability or chronic illness does not have to mean accepting a lower quality of life. While we can’t make our issues and challenges disappear, by practicing the exercises in this book, we can learn to better manage challenges that arise and learn how we can live a meaningful life now—whatever our bodies and abilities might be.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Mental Health, Audiobook, Self Help, Disability

173 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 17, 2025

Reviews

[Richard Propes · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the disability community, there's a common phrase - "Nothing about us without us!" So, it's always refreshing when I discover a new voice living into this phrase and leading the way for others with disabilities and chronic health concerns.

Dr. Jennifer Caspari is a clinical psychologist living with cerebral palsy. With "You Are More than Your Body," Dr. Caspari serves up 30+ evidence-based strategies for living well with chronic illness.

This idea of "living well" isn't common enough in the disability community, a community where far too often daily life is focused on surviving and not necessarily thriving. Dr. Caspari offers this gentle, supportive guide to developing coping skills and improving one's quality of life.

For some, especially those who've lived long-term with disabilities and chronic illnesses, "You Are More Than Your Body" may very well feel introductory in nature or as sort of a "101" exploration of successfully living life with disabilities, chronic pain, or chronic illness. While sometimes it can be awkward for clinicians to do personal revelation, it works well here as Dr. Caspari weaves together her clinical expertise, personal experience, and basic, practical tools backed by evidence and extensive research. There's a welcome transparency here in examining living life with a daily routine of pain, fatigue, and the inherent vulnerability of living in a world frequently not made for those with health concerns.

Using such approaches as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and a variety of mindfulness techniques, Dr. Caspari guides us toward shifting mental focus, better tuning into our emotional and physical being, cultivating radical acceptance, changing our relationship with our thoughts, realistic goal-setting, and learning how to use our deepest values as a resource among other goals and objectives.

In each chapter, Dr. Caspari weaves together both personal experience and clinical techniques. She also includes a self-reflection exercise with an associated coping skill. She realistically acknowledges that while we can't take away our issues and challenges, we don't have to settle for a lower quality of life.

I will confess that at times I read a bit more quickly through "You Are More Than Your Body" as I'm also an adult who's worked in mental health while having a disability (spina bifida/amputee). Thus, I was familiar quite often with the material presented, however, this familiarity didn't decrease my appreciation for Dr. Caspari's work here and my recognition that this will be an incredibly valuable resource for many.

[Sonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that this was written by someone living with a chronic illness along with the fact that it is honest and transparent that the advice is “easier said than done”. As someone living with multiple chronic illnesses I can say this book provided me a great framework for the inner work that needs to be constantly updated and re evaluated when working within the disability community and the identity greif that often comes with it. I think more specifically it addresses the need for differential treatments but also finds many common intersections with the community. The journal prompts and activities are simple but also remarkably informative. A great read.

[Books By Your Bedside · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and North Atlantic for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

As someone with a few chronic illnesses and whatnot with no cure, I am interested in finding other potential ways to help me, so this was a really interesting prospect for me.

It's one thing to read a book like this written by a professional, but if they don't have personal experience of it, there's only so much they can write about. But if you have someone with a disability talking about how a disability can affect you, it instantly gives it more power and gravitas.

I really appreciate Jennifer's talk about positive thinking. Those who don't have illnesses often say "you just need to be more positive" - if thinking positively was all it took, then the health industry would be so much easier to navigate. If only positive thinking would make my brain work and my legs work.

You can read it like I did which was cover to cover, or you could flick to the topics that interest you most or you need in that current situation.

It is a relatively short book and less than 200 pages which means it's a quick read. Which is good because I imagine it could be quite an intense book otherwise.

Throughout my health journey, I have learnt a lot of coping mechanisms that Jennifer mentions and so for me, none of it was new. However, I think this would be handy for people early on in their illness or disability, or carers, relatives, and friends.

[Brianna Crowder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and North Atlantic Books for the ARC of this personal guide on living with a disability or chronic health disorder. As someone with an autoimmune disorder, this one was very relatable.
The author has cerebral palsy and provides personal stories of ways she has struggled and thrived with her illness. She discusses emotional processing, body grief, self-acceptance, and quality of life. I really enjoyed the ways she provided actionable steps, coping skills, and journal prompts to connect with your body and mind.
The book is especially helpful if you are someone with a chronic illness or want to better support someone who does.

[Love&Lattes · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a pilates instructor, I often get clients who are told to start this practice in order to gain core strength to help reduce chronic body aches and pains.

I love that I now have a book I can recommend them to read in addition to their workout regimen. Joseph Pilates is known for his emphasis on breath work. Breathing is something Dr. Caspari also strongly suggests.

Her book is full of great examples of what to do if you are someone who is looking for an alternative to Extra Strength Tylenol.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Received an ARC). This book is such a great guide, one that I will definitely recommend to clients. I love that Dr. Caspari shares about her own experience living with cerebral palsy to create context for the skills that she teaches. She covers so many different skills in one book that it will be a handy guide for anyone wanting to practice self-acceptance, self-compassion, adaptability, and stress management. Thanks for the early copy!

[Suzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book got me thinking more about what my body can do for me, rather than how much I hate the horrible fat, disgusting, useless thing.
Unfortunately, something as simple as 300 pages of well written facts will never fix my eating disorders or the abuse I suffered for 2 decades for simply being fat, but it's nice to read that not everyone thinks I'm a piece of useless, unlovable crap just because my BMI (which shouldn't even better used anymore!) is too high.

[Stephanie Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding new offering in the self-help category, especially for people struggling with their bodies, whether that's due to illness, injury, weight. I loved all the suggestions for reflection and tools she offers, and her gentle tone and personal sharing was completely on point. Will be recommending to friends!

[Denise Morse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely phenomenal . I really loved the way the author breaks down chronic illness and the way therapy can be used to help this. She especially brings in acceptance therapy which is not as well known as CBT and just spoke to me so much. I made a list of things to work on and ask about and think through. Thank you for this book.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone living with chronic pain I related to the author of this book in many ways. It’s a unique lived experience even if the illness is different.

I thought the author had some great insights and exercises but nothing ground breaking or new. This would be a great read for someone new to living with chronic pain or illness.

Thanks netgalley for the arc.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. It was a very refreshing and honest read. The reflection points made me think but it was the authors story that I felt was key to this book. It gave me a determination and a power to make life work for me. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.

[Jamelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This work guides the reader through several coping skills for dealing with anxiety and fatigue from living with chronic illness. It gives several practical, easy steps for mitigating negative thought patterns.

[Gina Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful resource for patients and providers alike. The author’s writing and vulnerability gives first-person accounts about how evidence-based interventions can be used in daily life. A must read!

[Julia Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who is neurodivergent learning how to cope with a chronic illness, this book was validating and affirming, and gave me practical advice. I loved it so much I bought my own copy to have on hand at all times.

[Miss Ambitious · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Cerebral Palsy and Fibromayalgia patient, I really admired this book, because it contains real applicable information related to living with condition. The author is inspirational. It deserves 5 stars.

[Jessy Lillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who has chronic illness I was really looking forward to reading this. It wasn’t a bad book by all means except it felt very repetitive with the “exercises” of scaling things from 1-10. So I didn’t enjoy as much as I was hoping.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5 rounded up to 4.

[Lottie C · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75⭐️

[a copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher from netgalley. thank you!]

i really enjoyed the messaging of this book. as someone living in an invisibly disabled body, it was nice to be reminded that i am more than my disorders. there was lots of handy mindfulness skills and strategies thrown in, and, even though i had heard of all of them, it was a good reminder

[Kate Henderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this!
Having a chronic illness myself, I thought I would find this book insightful.
Unfortunately I just couldn't get into this book. I tried the audio version as well as the electronic copy and neither really did it for me.
The beginning was just slow, and I didn't enjoy Caspari's writing style.
I'm not sure if I was hoping for more as a fellow chronic illness sufferer or whether it was just the book as a whole.
Just not for me!