Synopses & Reviews
Hearing a judgmental or disapproving internal narrative is a very common mental health complaint, and not always a sign of schizophrenia or another serious diagnosis. Persistent inner chatter and rumination can lead to depression, anxiety, phobias, trauma, obsessive-compulsive thoughts, and more. In this unique collection of practical, take-charge strategies, the author reveals how self-critical voices can actually be altered and used to your own advantage. Rather than changing the words themselves, Steve Andreas's approach is to change how the words are spoken through specific, easy-to-implement techniques, such as changing the location of the voice; its distance from you; its tempo, tone, or volume; and much more. Unlike most therapies that advocate talking back or ignoring it, this guide offers exercises for viewing our self-talk as a useful and productive indicator of our emotions, and shows us how to take control of them in a more meaningful way.
Review
"A clear and compelling book that provides many direct and helpful strategies for actively transforming inner experience . . . a gentle but powerful vehicle to help you build the kind of internal dialogue that makes meaningful change not only possible, but highly likely. Tell yourself you need to read this book--and be clever enough to follow the recommendation!" Michael D. Yapko, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and author of Mindfulness and Hypnosis and Depression is Contagious
Review
"Steve Andreas offers a comprehensive map with practical and easy-to-follow instructions that lead the reader into the land of autonomy and out of the mind-numbing cul-de-sacs inadvertently created by one's inner critic." Jeffrey K. Zeig, PhD, Founder and Director, The Milton Erickson Foundation
Review
"This book is a rare jewel. Andreas has a clear and brilliant writing style. Through a myriad of concrete examples, he guides the reader in how to effectively manage self-talk." Giorgio Nardone, psychotherapist and Founder/Director of the Center for Strategic Therapy
Review
"Any who daily struggle with self-critical voices will appreciate this unique approach . . . . [A] pick for any psychology or self-help collection." Midwest Book Review
Review
" is a winner. I strongly recommend it! . . . [A] precise, articulate, systematic application of change principles to a particular problem . . . . I have used some of these exercises both on myself and with clients and they worked well and quickly. Negative self-talk triggers a vast array of problems, so this book has wide appeal." Milton H. Erickson Foundation Newsletter
Review
" " Milton H. Erickson Foundation Newsletter
Synopsis
Rather than changing the words themselves, Steve Andreas's approach is to change how the words are spoken through specific, easy-to-implement techniques, such as changing the location of the voice; its distance from you; its tempo, tone, or volume; and much more. Unlike most therapies that advocate talking back or ignoring it, this guide offers exercises for viewing our self-talk as a useful and productive indicator of our emotions, and shows us how to take control of them in a more meaningful way.
Synopsis
A toolkit of practical strategies for managing intrusive, negative
self-talk and how you respond to it.
About the Author
Steve Andreas, a private practitioner, writes and gives trainings on topics of personal change and communication. He lives in Boulder, Colorado.