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The Pocket Therapist: An Emotional Survival Kit
Whenever Therese Borchard was weathering a personal storm, and help was nowhere to be found, her one guiding light was the question, "What would a therapist say?" The result was a sort of therapy scrapbook for rough days--a quick reference for anyone who needs a dose of encouragement, support and tried and true ways to cope.
THE POCKET THERAPIST is a compact and accessible guide filled with techniques and advice to help combat everything from addictive behavior to negative thinking.
THE POCKET THERAPIST is a compact and accessible guide filled with techniques and advice to help combat everything from addictive behavior to negative thinking.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2010
11 people are currently reading
275 people want to read
About the author
Therese J. Borchard
36 books18 followersTherese Borchard is the author of the hit daily blog “Beyond Blue” on Beliefnet.com, which is featured weekly on The Huffington Post and was voted by PsychCentral.com as one of the top 10 depression blogs, and she moderates the popular depression support group, Beyond Blue, on Beliefnet’s social networking site. Therese is the editor of The Imperfect Mom: Candid Confessions of Mothers Living in the Real World, featured in Real Simple, Parenting, More, Working Mother, Psychology Today, Fit Pregnancy, the Chicago Tribune, and on Salon.com, and of I Love Being a Mom: Treasured Stories, Memories, and Milestones, a Target selection, and featured in Redbook, Parenting, BabyTalk, the Chicago Tribune, and the Detroit Free Press. With Michael Leach, she is co-editor of A Celebration of a Married Life and the national bestseller I Like Being Catholic. Her newest book, The Pocket Therapist, will be published by Hachette Book Group in April of 2010.
Therese has published articles in the Washington Post, Ladies’ Home Journal, Parenting, Guideposts, Publishers Weekly, the Baltimore Sun, and on PsychCentral.com, The Huffington Post, and Yahoo! She is becoming a go-to expert in the field of pop-psychology, recently quoted in The Wall Street Journal, O, and on CNN.com and Time.com. Her nationally syndicated column, “Our Turn,” is distributed biweekly by Catholic News Service. She appears monthly on Sirius Satellite Radio, is featured regularly on radio programs throughout the country, and has been a repeated guest on national television programs, such as "Fox and Friends" (Fox News Channel) and "Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher" (ABC). She lives with her husband, Eric, and their two “spirited” children in Annapolis, Maryland.
Daily Blog: Beyond Blue on Beliefnet.com
Follow @ThereseBorchard on Twitter
Therese has published articles in the Washington Post, Ladies’ Home Journal, Parenting, Guideposts, Publishers Weekly, the Baltimore Sun, and on PsychCentral.com, The Huffington Post, and Yahoo! She is becoming a go-to expert in the field of pop-psychology, recently quoted in The Wall Street Journal, O, and on CNN.com and Time.com. Her nationally syndicated column, “Our Turn,” is distributed biweekly by Catholic News Service. She appears monthly on Sirius Satellite Radio, is featured regularly on radio programs throughout the country, and has been a repeated guest on national television programs, such as "Fox and Friends" (Fox News Channel) and "Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher" (ABC). She lives with her husband, Eric, and their two “spirited” children in Annapolis, Maryland.
Daily Blog: Beyond Blue on Beliefnet.com
Follow @ThereseBorchard on Twitter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
February 28, 2011
This book is a quick read, with short one or two page chapters that each have simple headings. I wasn't expecting much. I usually don't care for the sort of touchy-feely, feel-good, get-in-tune-with-yourself stuff, but I was hoping this would provide some sort of blueprint for introspection. I got a handful of interesting tidbits out of it, so it met my low bar.
Ironically, she misuses some of her own advice in writing this book. She says that you shouldn't ask advice from people who are ill-equipped to give it, ie. don't ask marital advice from someone who's been divorced 5 times. And yet, she's been in therapy for twelve years and is a self-described neurotic who is advising others on how to get their life in order. Some of the advice makes no sense (Give Amy a bottle? WTF?) and some of it I strongly disagree with (going to church is not for everyone.) But some of it is stuff that I already knew but needed a reminder of. I really disliked when she talked about the science behind her advice. I felt it was overly simplistic, and I felt talked-down-to.
The author says she's bi-polar. Since I just read "Anatomy of an Epidemic," which provides a lot of evidence that most modern cases of bi-polar disorder are, in fact, caused by anti-depressants, I couldn't help but wince when she wrote proudly that she is diligent about taking her many, many, mood-altering drugs(anti-depressants, anti-anxiety pills, and anti-psychotics). I also raised my eyebrow at the hypocrisy of advising people to give up caffeine and sugar because caffeine is a "powerful drug that affects a number of neurochemicals in your brain" and yet despite all her research into her own ailments, she has apparently not found, or found and disregarded, the horrible things her own medications are doing to her body. It's like the people who will discuss their wacky, mind-bending experiences with psychotropic drugs, and with the same breath, tell you that un-organic milk is poison and you shouldn't let it pass your lips. Maybe these people should be reading the same books I'm reading.
Ironically, she misuses some of her own advice in writing this book. She says that you shouldn't ask advice from people who are ill-equipped to give it, ie. don't ask marital advice from someone who's been divorced 5 times. And yet, she's been in therapy for twelve years and is a self-described neurotic who is advising others on how to get their life in order. Some of the advice makes no sense (Give Amy a bottle? WTF?) and some of it I strongly disagree with (going to church is not for everyone.) But some of it is stuff that I already knew but needed a reminder of. I really disliked when she talked about the science behind her advice. I felt it was overly simplistic, and I felt talked-down-to.
The author says she's bi-polar. Since I just read "Anatomy of an Epidemic," which provides a lot of evidence that most modern cases of bi-polar disorder are, in fact, caused by anti-depressants, I couldn't help but wince when she wrote proudly that she is diligent about taking her many, many, mood-altering drugs(anti-depressants, anti-anxiety pills, and anti-psychotics). I also raised my eyebrow at the hypocrisy of advising people to give up caffeine and sugar because caffeine is a "powerful drug that affects a number of neurochemicals in your brain" and yet despite all her research into her own ailments, she has apparently not found, or found and disregarded, the horrible things her own medications are doing to her body. It's like the people who will discuss their wacky, mind-bending experiences with psychotropic drugs, and with the same breath, tell you that un-organic milk is poison and you shouldn't let it pass your lips. Maybe these people should be reading the same books I'm reading.
April 20, 2010
"Sometimes when life hands you lemons it's harder to make lemonade then that cheery notion suggests. In more trying situations the initial urge may be to use said lemon as a projectile weapon aimed at the source of frustration. The Pocket Therapist is a book for those lemon-launching moments in life."
That description sets the tone for the entire book. With 144 techniques to help cope with anxiety, conflicts, and just life in general. Each of the techniques are designed to help us cope with the negative thinking patterns that so many of us cope with often leading us to feel defeated in our own minds.
I really enjoyed the writing style in this book, it was a pleasant mix of honesty, sarcasm and cynicism with a sprinkle of hope. The book was full of very useful techniques, all of which are common sense but often difficult to implement into our lives. With the amount of people living fast paced lifestyles and the increase of people living with anxiety disorders this book has a handy collection of tips to help remind us that we are indeed only human and sometimes we have to know when to just let go of the lemon and take a breath.
That description sets the tone for the entire book. With 144 techniques to help cope with anxiety, conflicts, and just life in general. Each of the techniques are designed to help us cope with the negative thinking patterns that so many of us cope with often leading us to feel defeated in our own minds.
I really enjoyed the writing style in this book, it was a pleasant mix of honesty, sarcasm and cynicism with a sprinkle of hope. The book was full of very useful techniques, all of which are common sense but often difficult to implement into our lives. With the amount of people living fast paced lifestyles and the increase of people living with anxiety disorders this book has a handy collection of tips to help remind us that we are indeed only human and sometimes we have to know when to just let go of the lemon and take a breath.
July 4, 2019
This is a great book for anyone with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or insecurities. I loved Therese's honesty, kindness, and advice.
The only problem is I will probably forget most of the sweet suggestions...it's probably best as a book you buy and mark up to refer back to, and I borrowed mine from the library.
The only problem is I will probably forget most of the sweet suggestions...it's probably best as a book you buy and mark up to refer back to, and I borrowed mine from the library.
March 17, 2016
Here's a new idea: Let's choose someone to write a self-help book who knows what she is talking about. Someone who is not a researcher. Someone who is not a psychiatrist. Someone who is not even a therapist.
How about picking someone who is crazy?!
Yes, the author of The Pocket Therapist, Therese J. Borchard, claims she wrote this book by drawing on notes she took from "more than twelve years (i.e., six hundred hours) of therapy" as well as "get-ahold-of-yourself tips...learned in the psych ward."
There you go.
What kind of ideas does this book offer? Borchard provides 144 ideas for sanity, most as simple as breathing. In fact, the very first idea is breathing.
I liked this book, but, to really assess its efficacy, perhaps we need a crazy reader as well. Any takers?
How about picking someone who is crazy?!
Yes, the author of The Pocket Therapist, Therese J. Borchard, claims she wrote this book by drawing on notes she took from "more than twelve years (i.e., six hundred hours) of therapy" as well as "get-ahold-of-yourself tips...learned in the psych ward."
There you go.
What kind of ideas does this book offer? Borchard provides 144 ideas for sanity, most as simple as breathing. In fact, the very first idea is breathing.
I liked this book, but, to really assess its efficacy, perhaps we need a crazy reader as well. Any takers?
October 5, 2010
the therapist in me was attacted to this title but the sometimes anxiety and depression ridden sides of me really appreciated her frankness and humor. I can't relate to her exactly but I did feel very validated in my own experiences with mental illness, it is nice to once in awhile feel like and realize that there are others who struggle and even though I may be "crazy" a lot of the imte, I'm not the only one trying to live day to day life with some extra obstacles to overcome sometimes. I liked the short focused chapters.
April 20, 2010
I won this book on Goodreads and I started reading it yesterday. It has alot of practical advice for manuevering oneself through life's problems and petty annoyances. I really like the book and find it very helpful. I would highly recommend it.
September 28, 2017
So, inspired by Bridget Jones (don't even start), I was browsing the self-help section at the library and this book looked attractive. Once I got it home I realized that it wasn't written by a therapist, it was written by a patient. I think that shows in a couple of entries that are specific to the author's problems. For instance, she talks about motivating herself to research her illnesses. Multiple people have told me to get off Google and WebMD ... of course, maybe I'm the atypical person in that respect.
I was a little taken aback by the flippant tone, but I do have challenges in the humor department. There is a lot of good advice in this book (like "Don't waste 14 good days"), most of which you've probably heard before, presented in a fresh way. It works better for me if I flip though it randomly instead of reading it straight through.
I was a little taken aback by the flippant tone, but I do have challenges in the humor department. There is a lot of good advice in this book (like "Don't waste 14 good days"), most of which you've probably heard before, presented in a fresh way. It works better for me if I flip though it randomly instead of reading it straight through.
June 13, 2023
Comical and beneficial real-life tips to help combat struggles with your mental well-being. I read this pocket size book rather quickly, finding it relatable and engaging without being overwhelming with too much information. Definitely going to refer back to this one on an as-needed basis. It’s a 👍🏼 for me
November 11, 2017
Well worth going back to repeatedly
This is at least the third or fourth time I have re-read this short, humorous and very wise book. Excellent!
This is at least the third or fourth time I have re-read this short, humorous and very wise book. Excellent!
April 27, 2022
love the pockets of wisdom, found many of pages to be therapeutic -- along with the breathing technique.
March 31, 2010
From my blog...
Therese Borchard has done it again! Her latest book, The Pocket Therapist is astonishingly brilliant, filled with insight, advise and wit as no one other than Borchard can deliver. The Pocket Therapist is an, as Borchard calls it, "emotional CliffsNotes" complied from her vast years as a patient. Each page delivers a reality check for whatever may ail the reader at the moment or merely leading the reader support. From facing fears, to being sincere Borchard leaves no stone unturned and makes certain she adds in her wonderful sense of humour along with advise and quite often personal stories. Borchard reminds the readers to listen to their bodies, be true to themselves, keep a journal, be happy, and learn to say no, to name just a few of her 144 pieces of support. Sometimes, the simplest things in life prove to be the most difficult to accomplish, which makes this book so handy to carry around. The Pocket Therapist is the perfect companion for anyone, for we all need a reality check or a reminder of how to cope through a situation, even if it as simple as being reminded to breathe.
Therese Borchard has done it again! Her latest book, The Pocket Therapist is astonishingly brilliant, filled with insight, advise and wit as no one other than Borchard can deliver. The Pocket Therapist is an, as Borchard calls it, "emotional CliffsNotes" complied from her vast years as a patient. Each page delivers a reality check for whatever may ail the reader at the moment or merely leading the reader support. From facing fears, to being sincere Borchard leaves no stone unturned and makes certain she adds in her wonderful sense of humour along with advise and quite often personal stories. Borchard reminds the readers to listen to their bodies, be true to themselves, keep a journal, be happy, and learn to say no, to name just a few of her 144 pieces of support. Sometimes, the simplest things in life prove to be the most difficult to accomplish, which makes this book so handy to carry around. The Pocket Therapist is the perfect companion for anyone, for we all need a reality check or a reminder of how to cope through a situation, even if it as simple as being reminded to breathe.
April 28, 2010
This is what my ever-eloquent mama calls a bathroom book. Each page has a new thought and a new piece of advice.
I was really excited to get this book because I thought it would be a little bit more informative. In my mind, friends would come over, sit on my couch and we'd work out their problems from a clinical perspective. I was hoping this would be a very detailed book that was comparable to a psychology degree.
Obviously, I dream big!
This is less of a Pocket Therapist and more of a zen book to living life. Or maybe that's what therapy does, but I don't see this book getting you over a great life trauma. More so, it's about getting perspective and balance in your life and living a healthy, loving life without weight or regret.
I think those are good themes, but did someone really need to put this all in a book? Maybe not. I wish it had gone deeper, but as it is it provides interesting (and possibly helpful) insight into how someone approaches what she considers her healthy life.
I was really excited to get this book because I thought it would be a little bit more informative. In my mind, friends would come over, sit on my couch and we'd work out their problems from a clinical perspective. I was hoping this would be a very detailed book that was comparable to a psychology degree.
Obviously, I dream big!
This is less of a Pocket Therapist and more of a zen book to living life. Or maybe that's what therapy does, but I don't see this book getting you over a great life trauma. More so, it's about getting perspective and balance in your life and living a healthy, loving life without weight or regret.
I think those are good themes, but did someone really need to put this all in a book? Maybe not. I wish it had gone deeper, but as it is it provides interesting (and possibly helpful) insight into how someone approaches what she considers her healthy life.
May 4, 2019
Here's a new idea: Let's choose someone to write a self-help book who knows what she is talking about. Someone who is not a researcher. Someone who is not a psychiatrist. Someone who is not even a therapist.
How about picking someone who is crazy?!
Yes, the author of The Pocket Therapist, Therese J. Borchard, claims she wrote this book by drawing on notes she took from "more than twelve years (i.e., six hundred hours) of therapy" as well as "get-ahold-of-yourself tips...learned in the psych ward."
There you go.
What kind of ideas does this book offer? Borchard provides 144 ideas for sanity, most as simple as breathing. In fact, the very first idea is breathing.
I liked this book, but, to really assess its efficacy, perhaps we need a crazy reader as well. Any takers?
How about picking someone who is crazy?!
Yes, the author of The Pocket Therapist, Therese J. Borchard, claims she wrote this book by drawing on notes she took from "more than twelve years (i.e., six hundred hours) of therapy" as well as "get-ahold-of-yourself tips...learned in the psych ward."
There you go.
What kind of ideas does this book offer? Borchard provides 144 ideas for sanity, most as simple as breathing. In fact, the very first idea is breathing.
I liked this book, but, to really assess its efficacy, perhaps we need a crazy reader as well. Any takers?
January 14, 2016
To the author's credit, the quotes she chose to ruminate on are wonderful and provide the reader with some good fodder for meditation or journaling. However, to the author's detriment, she identifies as bipolar, OCD and has a host of health issues that are the foundation of many of her musings. I would add, IMHO, both narcissistic and borderline personality disorders to her list since she appears unhealthily obsessed with her own personal power, prestige, and sense of worth, plus she has appears to have chaotic and unstable views of people and the world. I found myself shaking my head and saying "REALLY?" out loud several times during the course of the blessedly short book. Since she seems to want to provide "pocket therapy" her book is not aptly titled...maybe "Desperately Seeking Therapy" would have been more accurate.
May 13, 2010
This was the second book I've won through First REads. Apparently Therese Borchard writes a blog about mental illness and this book is a compilation of excerpts from her blogs. Each one is probably no more than a paragraph or two. She draws from things her therapist has said, from religion, from her own experience with mental illness etc The result is a little book that you can easily pick up, read a page or two and then put away. Nothing in this book is heavy handed. Borchard is funny and a lot of her advice seems good.- and I have to be honest, i find it interesting to hear about someone else's mental problems...makes me not feel so bad about my own issues. =)Next time I'm feeling bad I'll grab this book and open it up to a random page and see if I don't get some helpful advice.
January 20, 2012
I read about Therese Borchard in GUIDEPOSTS magazine and became intrigued with her blog. Her books had such high ratings on Amazon I thought I'd give them a read, since I am on the board of directors for a human services agency in crisis intervention/suicide prevention.
This book is a compilation with easy-to-pick-up-and-read-in-a-few-minutes "chapters", usually just a few paragraphs. I liked that.
This book made me laugh at myself in recognition. I liked that too.
This book made me want to invite Therese Borchard to a dinner party (are you reading, Therese?). I like her immensely through her writing.
Most of all, this book reminded me what God's word always reminds me: I am valued. I am loved. I am enough because I am His. I liked that best of all.
This book is a compilation with easy-to-pick-up-and-read-in-a-few-minutes "chapters", usually just a few paragraphs. I liked that.
This book made me laugh at myself in recognition. I liked that too.
This book made me want to invite Therese Borchard to a dinner party (are you reading, Therese?). I like her immensely through her writing.
Most of all, this book reminded me what God's word always reminds me: I am valued. I am loved. I am enough because I am His. I liked that best of all.
May 29, 2010
I was lucky enough to win this copy from Goodreads. I am an emotional survivor myself, and found that many of Ms. Borchard thoughts mirrored my own beliefs. Ideas that aren't necessarily new but ideas you lose sight of when you are stressed. The 'kit' is 144 short snippets of advice on dealing with stress, depression, aniexty, panic and bi-polarism. It is not the kind of book that you sit down and read all at one time, but something to read when you are having a rough day and need a pick-me-up. Ms. Borchard reminded me that life is full of ups and downs and that temporary setbacks are just that, temporary. I will be buying a second copy of the book to keep in my car!
September 5, 2015
Spanish / English
Es un libro ameno que con humor da consejos bastante válidos para temas serios. No es un tratado a profundidad pero sí es una buena forma de saber por donde encaminarse ante ciertas situaciones o de validar las opiniones propias (como lo fue en mi caso). Me gustó el libro, no puedo decir que es fantástico pero ciertamente cumple lo prometido.
/
It is an entertaining book that gives valid advice in a quite humorous way about serious topics. It is not a in-depth treaty but is a good way of knowing which way to go in certain situations or validate one's opinions (as it was in my case). I liked the book, I can not say it's great but certainly delivers as promised.
Es un libro ameno que con humor da consejos bastante válidos para temas serios. No es un tratado a profundidad pero sí es una buena forma de saber por donde encaminarse ante ciertas situaciones o de validar las opiniones propias (como lo fue en mi caso). Me gustó el libro, no puedo decir que es fantástico pero ciertamente cumple lo prometido.
/
It is an entertaining book that gives valid advice in a quite humorous way about serious topics. It is not a in-depth treaty but is a good way of knowing which way to go in certain situations or validate one's opinions (as it was in my case). I liked the book, I can not say it's great but certainly delivers as promised.
August 12, 2015
Honest, sometimes blunt and raw advices with a little dose of madness and insanity. But that's good, we all are a little crazy.
You can read it from cover to cover, skim through it, dig deeper for some precious pearls of wisdom and discard what is of no use to you.
But seriously, you might want to go through it and think about what you're reading. Maybe it's not the advice you need but it certainty can be the prompt, the kick your brain needs to start working on the solution.
You can read it from cover to cover, skim through it, dig deeper for some precious pearls of wisdom and discard what is of no use to you.
But seriously, you might want to go through it and think about what you're reading. Maybe it's not the advice you need but it certainty can be the prompt, the kick your brain needs to start working on the solution.
July 7, 2016
This is an excellent manual for anyone struggling with mental health issues. Some useful things that I keep in mind whenever I feel sad or anxious are:
* Compare yourself to people who are worse off than you, not better
* You can't unlearn your progress
* When you're feeling depressed, make a list of everything you accomplished that day, however small
* Don't give up unless you tried everything possible
* Make an "appointment" for your worries at a future time
* Compare yourself to people who are worse off than you, not better
* You can't unlearn your progress
* When you're feeling depressed, make a list of everything you accomplished that day, however small
* Don't give up unless you tried everything possible
* Make an "appointment" for your worries at a future time
February 18, 2012
My first thought a little way into this book was I was glad the author is not really a therapist. What she is, is an in-your-face author who shoots straight talk always. You are either going to love her or hate her.
I didn't care for it, even though I laughed a couple times. I just felt like the old adage "misery loves company" played in here all too well. Not my thing.
I didn't care for it, even though I laughed a couple times. I just felt like the old adage "misery loves company" played in here all too well. Not my thing.
June 2, 2010
I haven't started reading it yet - it just came in the mail today, but I love it already! It is cheery in green and lavender; a compact little hardcover book that feels nice to hold. It has made me feel better already, haha! Seriously - can't wait to read it.
September 23, 2010
This is a delightful, funny book by a woman who has lived with bipolar disorder and drinking problems. It's incredibly wise, while remaining laugh-out-loud funny. Written in a 1-page-per-chapter format... it's a quick and delicious read for anyone - troubled or not!
February 3, 2011
I liked it. The tips were all that I used in everyday life, and it was intriguing to see someone else using it too. The only thing I disliked about the book is the fact that it does not make a good one sitting read, it's more of a one page a time kind of read.
February 2, 2015
Interesting writing style, as there are a lot of run-ons and not a "flow" to the book. However, this really helped me through a hard time in life and although I could not relate to everything, the parts that were relative to me truly hit home.
January 4, 2015
Excellent no-nonsense advice for human beings. Regardless of your creed and beliefs, these pages offer honest advice for real life and its ugly moments. It's definitely not a replacement for actual therapy, but it's great support for those days when you just don't want do do anything
May 12, 2010
This book offers unique bits of wisdom for working through difficult times in life. I appreciated the authors humor and willingness to share her own experiences.
April 11, 2011
Simple recipes to stop being stressed and depressed, and start enjoying life.
Want to read
September 18, 2011Sounds like a humorous book to read, with the authors own real life experiences. I am definitely going to be this up to read...at the library.
September 30, 2011
Lots of great little gems, and perfect for reading in spurts since each "chapter" was only one or two pages. I'd keep this to reread.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews