Buddhist Psychology and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: A Clinician's Guide

by Dennis Tirch, Laura Silberstein-Tirch, Russell Kolts

This user-friendly guide to the basics of Buddhist psychology presents a roadmap specifically designed for cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) practitioners. It explains central Buddhist concepts and how they can be applied to clinical work, and features numerous experiential exercises and meditations. Downloadable audio recordings of the guided meditations are provided at the companion website. Essential topics include the relationship between suffering and psychopathology, the role of compassion in understanding and treating psychological problems, and how mindfulness fits into evidence-based psychotherapy practice. The book describes an innovative case conceptualization method, grounded in Buddhist thinking, that facilitates the targeted delivery of specific CBT interventions.

Genres: Psychology, Buddhism, Nonfiction

266 pages, Hardcover

First published November 5, 2015

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clinicians! I have another good one for you! (And for anyone else interested in learning about neat things like mindfulness and self-compassion).

So Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has always seemed incomplete to me. I know, I know, I know… research shows it’s incredibly effective in treating a whole range of mental health issues… blah, blah, blah. But traditional CBT feels sterile and mechanistic to me. I’m one of those warm, fuzzy, Carl-Rogers-genuine kind of therapists; I value authentic human connection and the development of a true therapeutic relationship more than is emphasized or utilized in traditional CBT.

This gem of a book is just what I needed to finally get all the way on board the CBT train (albeit the third-wave CBT train). Turns out, there’s a whole lot of overlap between what Buddhists have been practicing and refining for hundreds of years, and third-wave CBT principles (like mindfulness– a concept I use ALL THE TIME with my clients). This book teaches us about those overlaps, and reviews the research and evidence for their efficacy in mental health treatment settings. It brings the authentic human back into the equation while maintaining scientific integrity and exploring new (or very old and wise, depending on which hemisphere you happen to exist) ways of working with distress and the inevitable pain associated with the human condition.

BADASS.

But this isn’t just an exercise in academia or a basic history lesson. This book also includes a number of practical exercises to use with clients (or for yourself) to promote mindfulness, self-compassion, loving kindness, and overall wellbeing. AND it is accompanied by online guides and resources that further knowledge and application abilities.

#Win

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a no hesitation 5 star. As a student in a counseling program, and as a practicing Buddhist, this book has opened my eyes to avenues of study for my future practice. I've already started a book club with my fellow students to re-read it. This is a wonderful primer, not just for clinicians, but also for laypeople wanting to integrate these two paths of human development and discovery.

[Bobparr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molto contento di averlo letto. I tre che l'hanno scritto, se non sono praticanti quotidiani ci vanno assai vicino. Il testo è molto esplicativo per quanto riguarda il Buddhismo, un po' meno sulle diverse tipologie di terapie che in pratica lo utilizzano o la cui filosofia si ispira fortemente al Buddhismo (d'altronde e' un testo scritto per terapeuti, che si presuppone conoscano la propria materia).
Ben fatto, tanti esempi, tutti descritti con lucidità e raziocinio.