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Pocket Therapy: Mental Notes for Everyday Happiness, Confidence, and Calm
An accessible, insightful guide to answering Life’s big questions for yourself
Who am I? What does that dreaded phrase "Just be yourself" even mean? What does it mean to be "authentic"? These questions can feel overwhelming and impossible. But in Pocket Therapy , licensed psychotherapist and Instagram sensation Sarah Crosby will help you find the answers. Using accessible language, cheerful graphics, and fun exercises, Sarah helps readers tackle their “big” questions, one small step at a time.
Throughout the book, Sarah shares quick tidbits of therapy practices that help readers re-frame their experiences and walk through the world with more intention. Pocket Therapy covers crucial topics like attachment, boundaries, selftalk, triggers, reparenting and more―all in a quick, approachable style that you’ll actually want to read.
Who am I? What does that dreaded phrase "Just be yourself" even mean? What does it mean to be "authentic"? These questions can feel overwhelming and impossible. But in Pocket Therapy , licensed psychotherapist and Instagram sensation Sarah Crosby will help you find the answers. Using accessible language, cheerful graphics, and fun exercises, Sarah helps readers tackle their “big” questions, one small step at a time.
Throughout the book, Sarah shares quick tidbits of therapy practices that help readers re-frame their experiences and walk through the world with more intention. Pocket Therapy covers crucial topics like attachment, boundaries, selftalk, triggers, reparenting and more―all in a quick, approachable style that you’ll actually want to read.
320 pages, Paperback
Published February 22, 2022
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2148 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
February 15, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley and MacMillan Audio for an advanced audiobook to listen to and review!
This was a warm hug of a self help book, like nothing I've read yet except for Matt Haig's work perhaps. I consumed the audiobook, and the author's Irish accent was so soothing to listen to, tone firm but kind, perfectly conducive to getting this work done with yourself.
The book is designed cleverly so that one can jump around to the issues they're dealing with at the time (tricky with the audiobook on the Netgalley app so I stuck to going straight through for my review). I found the units on toxic family, healthy support versus codependency, and boundaries incredibly helpful during a time when we are all going through a lot and having to constantly decide if current events have left us with the emotional bandwidth to listen to a friend's woes that day.
Sarah's voice is less of a therapist and more a good friend's advice, full of witty remarks and relatable anecdotes. At one point she jokes about having been tired since 2006, and such a "MOOD!" kind of remark makes me really trust a self help book more.
There were Take 5 reflection and evaluation moments at the ends of sections, journaling prompts, and plenty of assurances. I enjoyed this on audio and would certainly pick up a copy to follow through with exercises.
This was a warm hug of a self help book, like nothing I've read yet except for Matt Haig's work perhaps. I consumed the audiobook, and the author's Irish accent was so soothing to listen to, tone firm but kind, perfectly conducive to getting this work done with yourself.
The book is designed cleverly so that one can jump around to the issues they're dealing with at the time (tricky with the audiobook on the Netgalley app so I stuck to going straight through for my review). I found the units on toxic family, healthy support versus codependency, and boundaries incredibly helpful during a time when we are all going through a lot and having to constantly decide if current events have left us with the emotional bandwidth to listen to a friend's woes that day.
Sarah's voice is less of a therapist and more a good friend's advice, full of witty remarks and relatable anecdotes. At one point she jokes about having been tired since 2006, and such a "MOOD!" kind of remark makes me really trust a self help book more.
There were Take 5 reflection and evaluation moments at the ends of sections, journaling prompts, and plenty of assurances. I enjoyed this on audio and would certainly pick up a copy to follow through with exercises.
January 30, 2022
Dublin Psychotherapist Sarah Crosby's first book "Pocket Therapy: Mental Notes for Everyday Happiness, Confidence, and Calm" is an effective and engaging guide to answering some of life's biggest questions through self-exploration of such topics as attachment, boundaries, triggers, re-parenting, and more in a way that is friendly, accessible, and easy to understand.
While certainly not therapy in a literal sense, "Pocket Therapy" is a meaningful primer for anyone seeking better understanding of oneself but who's not necessarily able to or wanting to actually enter into a therapeutic relationship.
Crosby has made quite the name for herself on Instagram as @themindgeek with a warm and winning presence and basic, straightforward tips that are nicely represented in this first literary effort that bears her simple, no-nonsense approach that is just about as relaxed as the book's friendly and almost whimsical cover design and interior.
I'll confess that I was expecting perhaps a little more whimsy than unfolds in "Pocket Therapy." While Crosby's approach is certainly relaxed, rest assured that "Pocket Therapy" is actually a serious effort with substantial and important mental notes that can, indeed, help contribute to one's everyday happiness, confidence, and sense of calm. In addition to sharing a wealth of valuable therapeutic insights, Crosby helps us learn to apply them with questions and reflections in each chapter ensuring we gain a better understanding of just how to apply this information.
While those with therapy backgrounds and/or a more extended history of self-exploration will likely find some degree of familiarity in "Pocket Therapy," for the self-reflection and exploration exercises alone it's easy to recommend "Pocket Therapy" to the masses. While some of the resources offered by Crosby are more applicable to Irish or U.K. readers, the wisdom here is universal and these exercises certainly know no bounds.
While I greatly appreciated reading through "Pocket Therapy," now that my initial reading is done and my review wrapped up I look forward to returning to Crosby's insights and more deeply exploring her expertly created opportunities for greater self-reflection and guides toward a more satisfying and meaningful life.
While certainly not therapy in a literal sense, "Pocket Therapy" is a meaningful primer for anyone seeking better understanding of oneself but who's not necessarily able to or wanting to actually enter into a therapeutic relationship.
Crosby has made quite the name for herself on Instagram as @themindgeek with a warm and winning presence and basic, straightforward tips that are nicely represented in this first literary effort that bears her simple, no-nonsense approach that is just about as relaxed as the book's friendly and almost whimsical cover design and interior.
I'll confess that I was expecting perhaps a little more whimsy than unfolds in "Pocket Therapy." While Crosby's approach is certainly relaxed, rest assured that "Pocket Therapy" is actually a serious effort with substantial and important mental notes that can, indeed, help contribute to one's everyday happiness, confidence, and sense of calm. In addition to sharing a wealth of valuable therapeutic insights, Crosby helps us learn to apply them with questions and reflections in each chapter ensuring we gain a better understanding of just how to apply this information.
While those with therapy backgrounds and/or a more extended history of self-exploration will likely find some degree of familiarity in "Pocket Therapy," for the self-reflection and exploration exercises alone it's easy to recommend "Pocket Therapy" to the masses. While some of the resources offered by Crosby are more applicable to Irish or U.K. readers, the wisdom here is universal and these exercises certainly know no bounds.
While I greatly appreciated reading through "Pocket Therapy," now that my initial reading is done and my review wrapped up I look forward to returning to Crosby's insights and more deeply exploring her expertly created opportunities for greater self-reflection and guides toward a more satisfying and meaningful life.
July 28, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and St. Martin's Essentials for a copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.
As someone in training right now to get a clinical degree in counseling, it was really nice to have a book that condensed so much of the stuff I am learning into a format that would be more accessible to my clients. Sarah Crosby is a psychotherapist in Dublin, Ireland, and all of the techniques/skills she presents in this book are things that I have either a) already used with clients, b) have intended to use with clients, c) had a therapist use with me (no shame in getting your own help! ESPECIALLY when you are going to be helping others!) or d) things I will now be integrating into my work. Each of the few chapters in this book (it truly is "pocket" sized), are broken up into easy to understand chunks, and have self-reflection/practice spots called "Take 5" where the reader can immediately put the skill to use and see if it fits for them. I think this is one of the kindest books of its kind I have read, as many books like this either are so childish in their presentation of the material, or they are so analytical that it makes it hard to understand for a layperson. I also really appreciated the focus on trauma and trauma work, as that is a huge part of my intended work with clients, and it was really nice to see how Sarah approached it. I fully plan on encouraging other people in my field to read this, and I will probably recommend this as reference to future clients as well.
As someone in training right now to get a clinical degree in counseling, it was really nice to have a book that condensed so much of the stuff I am learning into a format that would be more accessible to my clients. Sarah Crosby is a psychotherapist in Dublin, Ireland, and all of the techniques/skills she presents in this book are things that I have either a) already used with clients, b) have intended to use with clients, c) had a therapist use with me (no shame in getting your own help! ESPECIALLY when you are going to be helping others!) or d) things I will now be integrating into my work. Each of the few chapters in this book (it truly is "pocket" sized), are broken up into easy to understand chunks, and have self-reflection/practice spots called "Take 5" where the reader can immediately put the skill to use and see if it fits for them. I think this is one of the kindest books of its kind I have read, as many books like this either are so childish in their presentation of the material, or they are so analytical that it makes it hard to understand for a layperson. I also really appreciated the focus on trauma and trauma work, as that is a huge part of my intended work with clients, and it was really nice to see how Sarah approached it. I fully plan on encouraging other people in my field to read this, and I will probably recommend this as reference to future clients as well.
April 7, 2022
I loved this little book of tips for how to take better care of yourself and your emotions. The author, who narrates the book herself in a lovely Dublin accent, gives a helpful overview of attachment theory and many mental-health disorders that you may or may not have and then provides lots of friendly advice on how to cope with all of them.
Apparently, this Irish psychotherapist has a large Instagram following (@themindgeek) from which this book was created. She also has a soothing warm way of speaking that somehow inspires confidence while also sounding down-to-earth.
I enjoyed a free audio version of this book thanks to Netgalley, McMillan Audio and St. Martin's Press in exchange for my honest review, but much as I enjoyed the author's narration, I feel this would be better to have as a hard copy book because there is so much she talks about that you'd want to refer back to if you were trying to do the exercises she recommends. You also might want to just dip in to a specific section if it were addressing a problem you were coping with that moment, and that is hard to do via an audiobook. Plus I think the book has lots of graphics and charts similar to what the author posts on Instagram and you can't see them in an audiobook.
As another reviewer wrote, the cover looks like the book is going to be post-it level jargon,, but the book is actually genuinely helpful and deeper than it looks. Agreed! and highly recommend.
Apparently, this Irish psychotherapist has a large Instagram following (@themindgeek) from which this book was created. She also has a soothing warm way of speaking that somehow inspires confidence while also sounding down-to-earth.
I enjoyed a free audio version of this book thanks to Netgalley, McMillan Audio and St. Martin's Press in exchange for my honest review, but much as I enjoyed the author's narration, I feel this would be better to have as a hard copy book because there is so much she talks about that you'd want to refer back to if you were trying to do the exercises she recommends. You also might want to just dip in to a specific section if it were addressing a problem you were coping with that moment, and that is hard to do via an audiobook. Plus I think the book has lots of graphics and charts similar to what the author posts on Instagram and you can't see them in an audiobook.
As another reviewer wrote, the cover looks like the book is going to be post-it level jargon,, but the book is actually genuinely helpful and deeper than it looks. Agreed! and highly recommend.
January 28, 2022
The verdict: Ultimately, I really enjoyed this book!
First off – As I see others have already mentioned, it's not a substitute for therapy, nor does it claim to be. However, therapy isn't feasible for everyone due to a myriad of reasons – money (all my US peeps can relate, I'm sure – three cheers for a mess of a healthcare system), location and lack of accessibility, an unfortunate stigma around mental health conversations, etc. Because of this, I definitely see a gap for this book.
With all that out of the way – "Pocket Therapy" is a very approachable and bite-sized starting point if one wants to dip their toes into the self-exploration ideas behind therapy and the principles of human psychology surrounding trauma, what shapes us into who we are and how we react to certain situations, and so on. Self-reflection can be really scary (personally, I rank it above having to ask someone you don't know very well how to operate their shower, or even small talk, which – trust me – is saying something), but this book makes it seem less daunting, especially with the conversational yet professional tone it strikes. While it would have been very easy to write this book in a dry way, Crosby's voice really shines through and it doesn't just feel like reading a dusty psych textbook.
Overall, I definitely think that it delivers on what the title promises, and I for sure recommend!
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC!
First off – As I see others have already mentioned, it's not a substitute for therapy, nor does it claim to be. However, therapy isn't feasible for everyone due to a myriad of reasons – money (all my US peeps can relate, I'm sure – three cheers for a mess of a healthcare system), location and lack of accessibility, an unfortunate stigma around mental health conversations, etc. Because of this, I definitely see a gap for this book.
With all that out of the way – "Pocket Therapy" is a very approachable and bite-sized starting point if one wants to dip their toes into the self-exploration ideas behind therapy and the principles of human psychology surrounding trauma, what shapes us into who we are and how we react to certain situations, and so on. Self-reflection can be really scary (personally, I rank it above having to ask someone you don't know very well how to operate their shower, or even small talk, which – trust me – is saying something), but this book makes it seem less daunting, especially with the conversational yet professional tone it strikes. While it would have been very easy to write this book in a dry way, Crosby's voice really shines through and it doesn't just feel like reading a dusty psych textbook.
Overall, I definitely think that it delivers on what the title promises, and I for sure recommend!
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC!
February 11, 2022
I’ve always been interested in the Philosophy of why we do the things we do. I have been to therapy, I understand that many of the reasons we are the way we are are due to past experiences, pst trauma, and things we as human may not fully even understand.
This book is a wonderful pocket guide to discovering who we are, and what we can do to be our best selves.
I love that in addition to explaining what our feelings mean, how to be a good friend, how to recognize our triggers, how to set boundaries and reparent ourselves if necessary, we are also given instruction into things we can try to become acquainted with our deeper emotions.
In the section about reparenting ourselves if we’ve experienced childhood trauma you’re instructed to look at a childhood picture but really look at it. How were you feeling? What do you feel now? I found exercises like this extremely helpful and insightful to dealing with my own self needs and learning what I need as a fellow hurt human.
This is a beautiful book about self discovery and learning how to care for ourselves and each other, and I definitely recommend it and love that it is split into various sections so we can learn what we can as we need it.
I definitely recommend this and can see myself gifting it to anyone, as we all have struggles and need this reminder of how to love ourselves.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book is a wonderful pocket guide to discovering who we are, and what we can do to be our best selves.
I love that in addition to explaining what our feelings mean, how to be a good friend, how to recognize our triggers, how to set boundaries and reparent ourselves if necessary, we are also given instruction into things we can try to become acquainted with our deeper emotions.
In the section about reparenting ourselves if we’ve experienced childhood trauma you’re instructed to look at a childhood picture but really look at it. How were you feeling? What do you feel now? I found exercises like this extremely helpful and insightful to dealing with my own self needs and learning what I need as a fellow hurt human.
This is a beautiful book about self discovery and learning how to care for ourselves and each other, and I definitely recommend it and love that it is split into various sections so we can learn what we can as we need it.
I definitely recommend this and can see myself gifting it to anyone, as we all have struggles and need this reminder of how to love ourselves.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 18, 2022
I was curious about the concept of this book but I am coming away from it still convinced that talking one on one with a real live therapist is incredibly important, and readers should consider this a supplement rather than replacement. My favorite portions were the ones that gave examples rather than invited self-reflection, such as explaining the different attachment styles, offering examples of how to reassure yourself in tough moments, or giving examples of how to create an affirmation.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read a copy of this book! I'm just a few months late.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read a copy of this book! I'm just a few months late.
February 6, 2022
Pocket Therapy by Sarah Crosby takes readers on a journey of self-discovery to find ways to feel happier and more confident. The author is a therapist with a large Instagram following (@themindgeek), and the paperback version of the book comes in a square shape à la Instagram. The reviewer copy I got didn’t have graphics, but from the preview on Amazon, it looks like the book has graphics in the same style as what the author posts on her Instagram. It appears that the book was originally published in the UK a couple of years ago under the title 5 Minute Therapy.
The author is upfront about this book not being a quick fix or a replacement for therapy. Throughout the book, she points out things that can be done most effectively with a therapist, particularly in the realm of dealing with the effects of trauma. While the book isn’t geared specifically towards people who’ve experienced trauma, it’s certainly very trauma-informed. I also think it would be good for people with or without a mental illness.
The book has chapters on self-discovery, attachment, self-talk, recognizing triggers, self-regulation, boundaries, reparenting, and going beyond the self to be a good friend. It covers a range of topics, including cognitive distortions, the fight-flight-freeze-fawn response, the window of tolerance, grounding and mindfulness practices, and codependency.
I liked the author’s explanation of triggers: ”Triggers are emotional buttons. They connect the present moment into a memory or situation in the past that was painful or traumatic for us. This can happen either consciously or unconsciously, and can be felt both emotionally and physically.”
I also liked how the author handled the chapter on boundaries, including framing them as self-care, giving ideas of language to use to establish them, and laying out an approach to addressing crossed boundaries (recognize, regulate, reinstate, reconsider).
I was unsure if the chapter on reparenting would be relevant for someone like me without a history of childhood trauma, but I thought the author had an interesting take on it. She explained that reparenting is about both learning how to provide for needs that went unmet and unlearning limiting thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. She presented it as something that could be useful to address things like believing that self-care is indulgent, struggling with negative self-talk, or people-pleasing. I liked this bit: “So remember that self-care, self-nourishment and self-parenting (or reparenting) are for the self, not by the self. So, although time alone can serve us well, if we ever start feeling disconnected from people, overwhelmed by the path we’re on, lacking in support, or feeling that our attempts at self-care and reparenting are turning into emotional isolation and re-traumatization, then be sure to reach out for help.”
The author has a warm, friendly, genuine tone to her writing, and I can see why she’s popular on Instagram. The book is very grounded in reality, and there are no promises of any of it being a quick and easy way to cure you of what ails you, which I very much appreciate. If you’re looking for a down-to-earth book about improving mental well-being, this would be a great choice.
I received a reviewer copy from the publisher through Netgalley.
The author is upfront about this book not being a quick fix or a replacement for therapy. Throughout the book, she points out things that can be done most effectively with a therapist, particularly in the realm of dealing with the effects of trauma. While the book isn’t geared specifically towards people who’ve experienced trauma, it’s certainly very trauma-informed. I also think it would be good for people with or without a mental illness.
The book has chapters on self-discovery, attachment, self-talk, recognizing triggers, self-regulation, boundaries, reparenting, and going beyond the self to be a good friend. It covers a range of topics, including cognitive distortions, the fight-flight-freeze-fawn response, the window of tolerance, grounding and mindfulness practices, and codependency.
I liked the author’s explanation of triggers: ”Triggers are emotional buttons. They connect the present moment into a memory or situation in the past that was painful or traumatic for us. This can happen either consciously or unconsciously, and can be felt both emotionally and physically.”
I also liked how the author handled the chapter on boundaries, including framing them as self-care, giving ideas of language to use to establish them, and laying out an approach to addressing crossed boundaries (recognize, regulate, reinstate, reconsider).
I was unsure if the chapter on reparenting would be relevant for someone like me without a history of childhood trauma, but I thought the author had an interesting take on it. She explained that reparenting is about both learning how to provide for needs that went unmet and unlearning limiting thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. She presented it as something that could be useful to address things like believing that self-care is indulgent, struggling with negative self-talk, or people-pleasing. I liked this bit: “So remember that self-care, self-nourishment and self-parenting (or reparenting) are for the self, not by the self. So, although time alone can serve us well, if we ever start feeling disconnected from people, overwhelmed by the path we’re on, lacking in support, or feeling that our attempts at self-care and reparenting are turning into emotional isolation and re-traumatization, then be sure to reach out for help.”
The author has a warm, friendly, genuine tone to her writing, and I can see why she’s popular on Instagram. The book is very grounded in reality, and there are no promises of any of it being a quick and easy way to cure you of what ails you, which I very much appreciate. If you’re looking for a down-to-earth book about improving mental well-being, this would be a great choice.
I received a reviewer copy from the publisher through Netgalley.
February 22, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing an advance reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
Happy Publication Day!
Three words that describe this lovely little book in a nutshell: practical, helpful, realistic. Crosby uses comfortable language and strikes the perfect balance between professionalism and accessibility. Self-help/self-development/psychology books can easily come off as preachy, pushy or overly intellectual, but this book is written in such a digestible way that I would find myself excited to carve out even a few minutes to read a section here and there. However when I say the book is digestible, I don’t mean it is light reading; it is overflowing with both wisdom and science that take root in you as you move through the chapters. At the author's suggestion, I made a point to read it slowly to fully process the content and reflect on the action items/prompts, which I think enhanced my experience and made it so that what I learned will stick with me. As Crosby states at the end of chapter 1, “Hopefully, this chapter has provided moments of insight. You don’t have to remember them all. They’re in there somewhere, distilling and processing, resting and realigning”.
As other reviewers (and the author herself) have mentioned, it is clear that this book is not meant to be a substitute for professional one-on-one help for those struggling with mental health issues, but it makes a great addition and reference item, and would be just as useful to people who aren’t seeking professional help for their mental health. There are even some concepts she specifically recommends tackling with a therapist. However, the author’s examples and guides helped me place myself and apply the guidance to my own life. It was full of practical, easy-to-apply, step-by-step tips (see chapter 5: self-regulation for a great example of this), explained in easy-to-understand ways (I love the “securing your front door” metaphor in the boundaries chapter and the fishbowl analogy in the reparenting chapter as examples of this). Regardless of where you are when you start the book, the lessons will meet you where you are now, and there is no one who wouldn’t benefit from some self-discovery and more self-care tools in their toolbox. This is a book that will stay in my mind for a long time and I am glad I read it.
I followed the author’s Instagram account that was mentioned in the book, and have loved seeing more of her on my social media feed. If you are a fan of her social media posts you must get this book!
Happy Publication Day!
Three words that describe this lovely little book in a nutshell: practical, helpful, realistic. Crosby uses comfortable language and strikes the perfect balance between professionalism and accessibility. Self-help/self-development/psychology books can easily come off as preachy, pushy or overly intellectual, but this book is written in such a digestible way that I would find myself excited to carve out even a few minutes to read a section here and there. However when I say the book is digestible, I don’t mean it is light reading; it is overflowing with both wisdom and science that take root in you as you move through the chapters. At the author's suggestion, I made a point to read it slowly to fully process the content and reflect on the action items/prompts, which I think enhanced my experience and made it so that what I learned will stick with me. As Crosby states at the end of chapter 1, “Hopefully, this chapter has provided moments of insight. You don’t have to remember them all. They’re in there somewhere, distilling and processing, resting and realigning”.
As other reviewers (and the author herself) have mentioned, it is clear that this book is not meant to be a substitute for professional one-on-one help for those struggling with mental health issues, but it makes a great addition and reference item, and would be just as useful to people who aren’t seeking professional help for their mental health. There are even some concepts she specifically recommends tackling with a therapist. However, the author’s examples and guides helped me place myself and apply the guidance to my own life. It was full of practical, easy-to-apply, step-by-step tips (see chapter 5: self-regulation for a great example of this), explained in easy-to-understand ways (I love the “securing your front door” metaphor in the boundaries chapter and the fishbowl analogy in the reparenting chapter as examples of this). Regardless of where you are when you start the book, the lessons will meet you where you are now, and there is no one who wouldn’t benefit from some self-discovery and more self-care tools in their toolbox. This is a book that will stay in my mind for a long time and I am glad I read it.
I followed the author’s Instagram account that was mentioned in the book, and have loved seeing more of her on my social media feed. If you are a fan of her social media posts you must get this book!
February 22, 2022
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Pocket Therapy by Sarah Crosby is a lovely self-help guide for people who are unsure how to answer the big questions in life. This book can be used as self-care or self-therapy for the difficult parts of life. According to the description, "using accessible language, cheerful graphics, and fun exercises, Sarah helps readers tackle their “big” questions, one small step at a time."
Here is an excerpt from Chapter 1: Self-Discovery:
"The phrase “Just be yourself” is something we often hear from well-meaning loved ones before things like a job interview or a date. But it’s a phrase that I have personally struggled with, as being yourself can be a tricky task if you’re not sure who that person is.
“Be myself?” But what if others don’t like that person? What if they don’t want to hire that person? What if they don’t want to date that person? I have a better plan: I’ll suss out who I think they want me to be and I’ll give them that! Good idea, right . . . ? I certainly used to think so."
Overall, Pocket Therapy is a fun self-help guide that would make the perfect gift for the anxious friend in your life. One highlight of this book is how funny it is. It's definitely a bonus that the narration is humorous instead of dry. I also liked how the book was written to-the-point and was easy to understand. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of self-help guides, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in February!
Pocket Therapy by Sarah Crosby is a lovely self-help guide for people who are unsure how to answer the big questions in life. This book can be used as self-care or self-therapy for the difficult parts of life. According to the description, "using accessible language, cheerful graphics, and fun exercises, Sarah helps readers tackle their “big” questions, one small step at a time."
Here is an excerpt from Chapter 1: Self-Discovery:
"The phrase “Just be yourself” is something we often hear from well-meaning loved ones before things like a job interview or a date. But it’s a phrase that I have personally struggled with, as being yourself can be a tricky task if you’re not sure who that person is.
“Be myself?” But what if others don’t like that person? What if they don’t want to hire that person? What if they don’t want to date that person? I have a better plan: I’ll suss out who I think they want me to be and I’ll give them that! Good idea, right . . . ? I certainly used to think so."
Overall, Pocket Therapy is a fun self-help guide that would make the perfect gift for the anxious friend in your life. One highlight of this book is how funny it is. It's definitely a bonus that the narration is humorous instead of dry. I also liked how the book was written to-the-point and was easy to understand. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of self-help guides, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in February!
February 12, 2022
Pocket Therapy: Mental Notes for Everyday Happiness, Confidence, and Calm provides helpful insights into understanding yourself better and how to address issues that you may need to deal with to help you become the best and happiest you possible.
The author presents the material in an easy to understand, relatable, and actionable manner. Some of the chapters that were most helpful to me were Self-Talk, Recognizing Triggers, Self-Regulation and Setting Boundaries.
It is made clear that the book is not equivalent to therapy, but it is wise, helpful, and empowering. It's nice to have something on hand to refer to that can help you gain/regain perspective and remind you that you have the power to change your life experience by how you choose your actions, reactions, and outlook/attitude.
Very well done! I highly recommend it.
My thanks to the author and St. Martin's Essentials for permitting me to read an e-ARC of this book via NetGalley. The book is scheduled for publication on 2/22/22. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.
The author presents the material in an easy to understand, relatable, and actionable manner. Some of the chapters that were most helpful to me were Self-Talk, Recognizing Triggers, Self-Regulation and Setting Boundaries.
It is made clear that the book is not equivalent to therapy, but it is wise, helpful, and empowering. It's nice to have something on hand to refer to that can help you gain/regain perspective and remind you that you have the power to change your life experience by how you choose your actions, reactions, and outlook/attitude.
Very well done! I highly recommend it.
My thanks to the author and St. Martin's Essentials for permitting me to read an e-ARC of this book via NetGalley. The book is scheduled for publication on 2/22/22. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.
February 14, 2022
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of Pocket Therapy, Mental Notes for Everyday Happiness, Confidence, and Calm by Sarah Crosby to review. Even though the title of the book has the word therapy as part of the title, this is not a therapy book. What I find great about it is that it feels like your therapist, after helping you for a few sessions with a particular issue, has given you a fantastic set of notes for you to keep and review. This is invaluable because you can't remember everything that was discussed. Each issue discussed in the book is its own standalone chapter and does not need to be read in order. Read and work on what is important to you. Each chapter also has "Take 5" features that have exercises for you to do. And at the end of each chapter is "Mental Notes", questions you ask yourself at the end of each day for a month so that you have your own resource of how you are thinking about the issue and ways to improve. This is absolutely a book that you will refer back to throughout the years or as an aid to help with your own therapy.
January 27, 2022
First off, I want to make sure anyone reading this knows that this book is not a substitute for therapy. I think therapy should be accessible to everyone, and this is a book to temporarily hold that space and/or to get one started in the self-reflection process. As the introduction itself says, “This book is full of accessible, bite-sized information, which you can choose to dip into or read right through in the order it is presented.”
Each chapter has a variety of questions to reflect upon, examples of traits and how they might impact one’s life, and mental notes that contain practical tips on working self-reflection into everyday practice.
Overall I think this is a book that would be helpful for anyone who needs some self-evaluation and some guidance on how to do the work to do some self-reflection and improvement!
Each chapter has a variety of questions to reflect upon, examples of traits and how they might impact one’s life, and mental notes that contain practical tips on working self-reflection into everyday practice.
Overall I think this is a book that would be helpful for anyone who needs some self-evaluation and some guidance on how to do the work to do some self-reflection and improvement!
January 31, 2022
Not going to lie - I think I grabbed this book because I thought it would be a cutesy little post it note type of things to be like "here is some jargon that you can use!" But as went through it, I realized very quickly that the cover doesn't really do it justice. This book is really like.... a pocket therapist lol. It has a bunch of terminology that one would discuss in therapy, as well as ways that you would be able to process those things.
The book emphasizes that this book is not a replacement for therapy, but really the beginning of the conversation that someone would have regarding therapy. But this was really such a fascinating book especially for someone who is interested in starting therapy but doesn't know where to begun.
Thank you Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The book emphasizes that this book is not a replacement for therapy, but really the beginning of the conversation that someone would have regarding therapy. But this was really such a fascinating book especially for someone who is interested in starting therapy but doesn't know where to begun.
Thank you Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2022
This is a straightforward, excellent guide to better emotional intelligence. Broken into broad sections, there is focus on inner work as well as guides for how to interact with people in a way that is positive for both oneself and others. The writing style is clear and conversational--this is easy to understand and doesn't include a lot of complex terminology or abstract thought experiments.
I especially liked how much practical advice was offered. Each concept included exercises and questions to consider and then concrete suggestions on how to apply a healthy approach in one's own life. Emotional intelligence and self-knowledge are always worthy pursuits and literally everyone could benefit from giving this a read and considering the ideas presented!
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!
I especially liked how much practical advice was offered. Each concept included exercises and questions to consider and then concrete suggestions on how to apply a healthy approach in one's own life. Emotional intelligence and self-knowledge are always worthy pursuits and literally everyone could benefit from giving this a read and considering the ideas presented!
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!
February 11, 2022
I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
In her book, Pocket Therapy, therapist Sarah Crosby, gives a comprehensive look into several of the most common mental health questions. Each chapter covers a different topic and are further broken down into smaller explanatory sections.
While this book is not a substitute for therapy, it does offer a unique and thorough resource that readers can use as a supplementary resource. This book is well suited to anyone whether they have worked with a therapist previously or not.
I do suggest that readers take their time reading or listening through this book. Some of the material covered can be triggering so keep that in mind. I did find it helpful to keep a notebook with me while listening to write down useful tips and exercises.
In her book, Pocket Therapy, therapist Sarah Crosby, gives a comprehensive look into several of the most common mental health questions. Each chapter covers a different topic and are further broken down into smaller explanatory sections.
While this book is not a substitute for therapy, it does offer a unique and thorough resource that readers can use as a supplementary resource. This book is well suited to anyone whether they have worked with a therapist previously or not.
I do suggest that readers take their time reading or listening through this book. Some of the material covered can be triggering so keep that in mind. I did find it helpful to keep a notebook with me while listening to write down useful tips and exercises.
February 11, 2022
Thanks to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book. I switched back and forth between the audio and ebook.
As someone who is trying to read more non-fiction and self-help this year, this looked like a good place to start. I had trouble making connections to my own self, but I think that was less the author's fault and more me not having worked on that very much before now. This covered a nice range of topics, some that my own therapist has brought up and some that she has not. This being read by the author was another point in it's favor, and she had a lovely voice, though I had to slow the audio down from my typical listening speed to get used to her accent. I would recommend this for anyone wanting to get an idea of basic therapy concepts.
As someone who is trying to read more non-fiction and self-help this year, this looked like a good place to start. I had trouble making connections to my own self, but I think that was less the author's fault and more me not having worked on that very much before now. This covered a nice range of topics, some that my own therapist has brought up and some that she has not. This being read by the author was another point in it's favor, and she had a lovely voice, though I had to slow the audio down from my typical listening speed to get used to her accent. I would recommend this for anyone wanting to get an idea of basic therapy concepts.
March 11, 2022
Reviewing
Pocket Therapy
By Sarah Crosby
Here we see you Sarah Crosby‘s white size take on what shapes us as humans, the human psychology behind trauma, self exploration, how we react to different situations, and what impacts us every day. All these things can be daunting to face pocket therapy presents it small enough doses that it’s not quite so overwhelming. While this book is not a replacement for therapy, nor does it claim to be, it is a thought provoking approach to becoming a healthier you one day at a time.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who feels like they are in a bit of a mental rut, feeling down, or looking for a positive addition to their daytime routine.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ For inspiring stars for a book that focuses on improving your mental health.
Pocket Therapy
By Sarah Crosby
Here we see you Sarah Crosby‘s white size take on what shapes us as humans, the human psychology behind trauma, self exploration, how we react to different situations, and what impacts us every day. All these things can be daunting to face pocket therapy presents it small enough doses that it’s not quite so overwhelming. While this book is not a replacement for therapy, nor does it claim to be, it is a thought provoking approach to becoming a healthier you one day at a time.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who feels like they are in a bit of a mental rut, feeling down, or looking for a positive addition to their daytime routine.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ For inspiring stars for a book that focuses on improving your mental health.
October 30, 2022
Pocket Therapy is a wonderful book that provides insight in short snippets that are easy to read and implement. While this book is not a substitute for therapy, it fills a need for a). those individuals that are unable to access treatment or b). those individuals that are in treatment, but want a supplement. The book has chapters on the following topics: attachment, self talk, recognizing triggers, self regulation, boundaries, and friendship. A wide variety of topics are included. You don’t need to read the book from start to finish, but rather, find what topic/area you need the support and start there. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.
June 6, 2023
I've read quite a few "therapy"/anxiety self-help books over the past year or so, and all of them have promise but then end up falling flat.
However, Pocket Therapy was GREAT and I am highly considering buying myself a physical copy because it resonated with me so much. Finally, a book that doesn't repeat to you over and over "just follow the 5-4-3-2-1 rule while deep breathing and you'll be fine". Instead, Sarah talks to you like you're a real person before each chapter, and then gently breaks down different ideas to slowly but surely cope for every stage of anxiety/depression/panic you'll feel throughout your life.
I really liked this one.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
However, Pocket Therapy was GREAT and I am highly considering buying myself a physical copy because it resonated with me so much. Finally, a book that doesn't repeat to you over and over "just follow the 5-4-3-2-1 rule while deep breathing and you'll be fine". Instead, Sarah talks to you like you're a real person before each chapter, and then gently breaks down different ideas to slowly but surely cope for every stage of anxiety/depression/panic you'll feel throughout your life.
I really liked this one.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
February 16, 2022
Pocket Therapy: Mental Notes for Everyday Happiness, Confidence, and Calmby Sarah Crosby is a self-help book that provides the reader with some information and tips for their mental health. While not a substitute for a therapist, this book helps provide you with helpful insights to help you get started.
There are several different exercises and mental notes that the reader can do to help guide them on their journey of healing. This book is broken down into sections that are easy for the reader to refer to when needing to focus on specific areas. The advice is practical and well-written.
This book is one that I would honestly recommend to others.
There are several different exercises and mental notes that the reader can do to help guide them on their journey of healing. This book is broken down into sections that are easy for the reader to refer to when needing to focus on specific areas. The advice is practical and well-written.
This book is one that I would honestly recommend to others.
February 18, 2022
Pocket Therapy by Sarah Crosby A small book packed with a wealth of information in an easy to read and understand format. Valuable insight into discovery and learning how to care for ourselves and others. Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of therapy, such as boundaries, triggers, and relationships. The chapters begin with an introduction to the topic and why it is relevant to self-reflection, -exploration, and -evaluation. Also included are questions to help you begin journaling/ processing information.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.
February 21, 2022
"Our sense of self is a journey of accumulated choices each of us makes".
Anything pocket sized certainly appeals to most of us which is why i picked up this book to read. It gives bit sized information about things that make us feel like imposters daily and create actionable items out of them.
She says there is no ideal version of ourselves, its mytical. We have possibly come across this notion via social media. And it's hard to work against this stream of ideating ourselves.
The author also states that we are constantly evolving thereby making an ideal self redundant.
I enjoyed the book and want to thank the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.
Anything pocket sized certainly appeals to most of us which is why i picked up this book to read. It gives bit sized information about things that make us feel like imposters daily and create actionable items out of them.
She says there is no ideal version of ourselves, its mytical. We have possibly come across this notion via social media. And it's hard to work against this stream of ideating ourselves.
The author also states that we are constantly evolving thereby making an ideal self redundant.
I enjoyed the book and want to thank the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.
February 27, 2022
Finding therapy has never been easy - so many hurdles in the way. From availability, cost and social stigma, getting even a start on the road to some understanding and now we are burdened by the pandemic - it's overwhelming. This book has come at just the right time. Written in a comfortable and friendly style, this is the kind of book I know I will be coming back to. It isn't a substitute for time with a therapist but it helps. I gave it a quick read and then went back to chapter one and really focused. I needed this book.
My thanks to the publisher St. Martin's Essentials and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
My thanks to the publisher St. Martin's Essentials and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
February 28, 2022
I was ecstatic to receive an advance reader copy through Goodreads giveaways, and this book did not disappoint. I have been following the author (@themindgeek) for ages on Instagram. I expected the book to contain cute, post-it sized insights. Instead, it is a thoughtful overview of attachment theory, self-talk, self-regulation, setting boundaries, and several other topics. There are short thought exercises and suggested reflections that I found incredibly helpful. This book seems like a great supplement to therapy (not a replacement for it, as the author noted). I will definitely recommend this book to others!
January 26, 2022
A workbook for someone who can't afford therapy. Honestly, I'm not disappointed in this book, but its not a replacement for actual therapy. Think of it more like a place to get started while you find a therapist you can work with, and then this book shines.
Each chapter covers a different topic common to therapy, boundaries, triggers, relationships, etc. Each chapter has an introduction of the topic, why it matters to a person, and some questions to help start journaling/processing information. Overall a simple structure to help a reader start thinking about their own life.
Each chapter covers a different topic common to therapy, boundaries, triggers, relationships, etc. Each chapter has an introduction of the topic, why it matters to a person, and some questions to help start journaling/processing information. Overall a simple structure to help a reader start thinking about their own life.
February 18, 2022
This book is more comprehensive than the cover appears. There are many bullet points throughout the Chapters and intentional questions at chapter's end..I noticed many terms used in actual therapy, although the information in this book should not be a replacement for receiving therapy.
I felt this book may be more geared toward a younger adult. That being said there were more than a couple scenarios portrayed that I learned from.
I'd like to thank NetGalley, St Martin's Publishing and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book which publishes on 2/22/22
I felt this book may be more geared toward a younger adult. That being said there were more than a couple scenarios portrayed that I learned from.
I'd like to thank NetGalley, St Martin's Publishing and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book which publishes on 2/22/22
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July 15, 2022A really good resource for those who are curious about what to expect from seeing a therapist, or in-between therapists and wanting to refine the broad subject of self-help. There are a lot of good journal prompts throughout the book. The language is easy to understand without being childish or patronizing, but still gentle and soothing throughout the process of self discovery and realization of unhealthy habits. I would read this again in a few years, or next time I'm in-between therapists and need to refine and refresh my mental health journey.
February 2, 2022
**Thank you for the ARC! All opinions are my own.**
4 stars. Reflective, engaging, and simplistic.
This is a short and concise book with a lot of big insight. It includes lessons on dealing with different attachment styles, thinking traps, self-talk, reaction styles, and much more. It definitely packs a lot of invaluable lessons into less than 200 pages. Additionally, the simple boxes of mental notes, practices, and advice are easy to follow.
4 stars. Reflective, engaging, and simplistic.
This is a short and concise book with a lot of big insight. It includes lessons on dealing with different attachment styles, thinking traps, self-talk, reaction styles, and much more. It definitely packs a lot of invaluable lessons into less than 200 pages. Additionally, the simple boxes of mental notes, practices, and advice are easy to follow.
March 15, 2022
I was really excited to read this book, but was really disappointed when I started to read it. It just didn’t capture my attention.
I enjoyed the reading the chapters on attachment and reparenting. Both of these chapters were very interesting. I also found the “Take 5” questions and mental notes/reflections questions at the end of each chapter interesting and beneficial.
*Thank you Netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.*
I enjoyed the reading the chapters on attachment and reparenting. Both of these chapters were very interesting. I also found the “Take 5” questions and mental notes/reflections questions at the end of each chapter interesting and beneficial.
*Thank you Netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.*
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