Overcoming Depression: A Cognitive Therapy Approach for Taming the Depression BEAST, Client Workbook

by Mark Gilson and Arthur Freeman

The client workbook is based on empirically-supported principles recommended in practice guidelines for the treatment of depression. It can also be used as a comprehensive reference guide for those... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195183819
• ISBN13: 9780195183818
• Release Date: November 2004
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 8.4" x 10.9"

Customer Reviews

An expertly fashioned manual for overcoming depression

Review by Kenneth B. Matheny, Ph.D., ABPP, Regents Professor and Co-director, Counseling Psychology Program, Georgia State University. Phone (404) 651-2550, FAX (404) 651-1160 Overcoming Depression is an expertly fashioned manual for clients suffering from depression, dysphoria, or sub-clinical mood disorders. Mark Gilson, founder and director of the Atlanta Center for Cognitive Therapy, and Arthur Freeman, chair of the Department of Psychology at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, bring their considerable expertise to bear on the treatment of depression. Both authors have made major contributions to the cognitive therapy literature in the past, and their current volume promises to give hope to clients who have had the sunlight in their lives dimmed by the heavy clouds of depression. Readers are taught that there are specific reasons for their low mood states that can be identified and changed through concerted effort. This volume, like David Burns' Feeling Good Handbook, guides the reader through a series of self-examinations that are critical to the understanding and treatment of mood disorders. Although the clear conceptualization and the highly readable nature of the writing allow the work to be used as a stand-alone self-help manual, the authors encourage readers to seek the professional assistance of therapists. In addition to championing the use of cognitive therapy for the treatment of depression, the authors also present responsibly the merit of psychopharmacology as an adjunctive treatment. The book is replete with practical examples that clearly demonstrate the recommended treatments are simply and elegantly offered. To audit the reader's mastery of the content, brief review quizzes are presented at the end of each chapter. The theoretical background for the volume is drawn from the cognitive therapies of Aaron T. Beck and Albert Ellis. Gilson and Freeman acknowledge the multifaceted nature of the causes of mood disorders and suggest a holistic approach to its treatment. The acronym BEAST, is used to explain the components of the approach: B is for body; E is for emotion; A is for action to be taken; S is for stressful situations; and T is for thoughts. The primary focus is placed on aspects of wellness such as nutrition and exercise (the B for body) and thinking (the T for thoughts). The authors discuss three factors involved in creating and sustaining depression: The Cognitive Triad, cognitive distortions, and self-sabotaging schemas and assumptions. The cognitive triad refers to negative views about oneself, the world, and the future. Cognitive distortions refer to the self-defeating response sets or perceptual sieves that are not validated by others. And schemas are described as hierarchically arranged, coordinated sets of abstract ideas about self, the world, and relationships. These schemas are said to underlie and maintain one's belief system and automatic thoughts. The meani

I plan to own multiple copies for use with my clients.

Review by Kenneth B. Matheny, Ph.D., ABPP, Regents Professor and Co-director, Counseling Psychology Program, Georgia State University. Phone (404) 651-2550, FAX (404) 651-1160Overcoming Depression is an expertly fashioned manual for clients suffering from depression, dysphoria, or sub-clinical mood disorders. Mark Gilson, founder and director of the Atlanta Center for Cognitive Therapy, and Arthur Freeman, chair of the Department of Psychology at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, bring their considerable expertise to bear on the treatment of depression. Both authors have made major contributions to the cognitive therapy literature in the past, and their current volume promises to give hope to clients who have had the sunlight in their lives dimmed by the heavy clouds of depression. Readers are taught that there are specific reasons for their low mood states that can be identified and changed through concerted effort.This volume, like David Burns' Feeling Good Handbook, guides the reader through a series of self-examinations that are critical to the understanding and treatment of mood disorders. Although the clear conceptualization and the highly readable nature of the writing allow the work to be used as a stand-alone self-help manual, the authors encourage readers to seek the professional assistance of therapists. In addition to championing the use of cognitive therapy for the treatment of depression, the authors also present responsibly the merit of psychopharmacology as an adjunctive treatment. The book is replete with practical examples that clearly demonstrate the recommended treatments are simply and elegantly offered. To audit the reader's mastery of the content, brief review quizzes are presented at the end of each chapter.The theoretical background for the volume is drawn from the cognitive therapies of Aaron T. Beck and Albert Ellis. Gilson and Freeman acknowledge the multifaceted nature of the causes of mood disorders and suggest a holistic approach to its treatment. The acronym BEAST, is used to explain the components of the approach: B is for body; E is for emotion; A is for action to be taken; S is for stressful situations; and T is for thoughts. The primary focus is placed on aspects of wellness such as nutrition and exercise (the B for body) and thinking (the T for thoughts).The authors discuss three factors involved in creating and sustaining depression: The Cognitive Triad, cognitive distortions, and self-sabotaging schemas and assumptions. The cognitive triad refers to negative views about oneself, the world, and the future. Cognitive distortions refer to the self-defeating response sets or perceptual sieves that are not validated by others. And schemas are described as hierarchically arranged, coordinated sets of abstract ideas about self, the world, and relationships. These schemas are said to underlie and maintain one's belief system and automatic thoughts. The meani

A remarkably fine book for anyone suffering from depression.

Taming the Depression BEAST is a remarkably fine workbook for almost anyone suffering from sporadic or chronic depression. It succinctly and clearly provides many cognitive-behavioral methods and people experiencing depression can promptly put to good use. I highly recommend it.

A high mark for presenting therapy in an accessible manner.

This new patient treatment manual sets a high mark for presenting therapy in a clear and accessible manner to patients. It contatins the fundementals of treatment and self-help for the depressed individual in a readable and engaging format. The concept of BEAST (Biology, Emotion, Affect, Situation, and Thinking) allows for an easy conceptualization of the components of mood and at the same time is whimiscal and intriguing. It strikes just the right balance, and I believe it is a refined contribution to the psychotherapist's tool kit for providing empirically supported treatment that helps people improve their mood and function better in their lives.

An important addition to the field.

Gilson & Freeman's "Taming the Depression BEAST," a client workbook, will be an important addition to the field. Easily readable, it communicates complex concepts in an understandable manner, and the take-home message- that depression is a treatable illness- comes through clearly. It provides accurate information to clients about both cognitive therapy and antidepressant medications. There is no doubt that this manual will be helpful to many clients and their families.