Recommended Reading
Below are some book reviews by Portage Path clinical staff. These books have been selected because our staff feels they are quality works that contain information that can help people learn more about behavioral issues, discover techniques they can use to feel better, and / or make positive changes in their lives.
To purchase one of these books, just click on the link and you will be taken to Amazon.com where you can buy it.
The Depression Workbook: A guide for living with depression and manic depression
by Mary Ellen Copeland with contributions by Matthew McKay
"This terrific resource explores the symptoms of both unipolar Depression and Bipolar Disorder. Drawing on a survey of hundreds of people, the book provides a variety of self-help treatment options. Particularly good are the sections on "early warning signs" of depression and mania, as well as simple lists of what to do when symptoms appear. Highly recommended for anyone who has been diagnosed with a mood disorder."
The OCD Workbook: Your guide for breaking free from obsessive-compulsive disorder by Bruce Hyman and Cherry Pedrick
"This helpful book explores the various types of obsessions and compulsions found in OCD and offers options for improving the condition. Knowledge is power, and this book arms the reader with state-of-the-art information, as well as suggestions for professional help and a wide range of self-help strategies. An invaluable resource for anyone trying to escape OCD!"
Healing and the Mind
by Bill Moyers
"Based on a PBS series that aired in the early 1990's, this book examines models of healing that go beyond traditional western medicine. Each chapter contains transcripts of interviews with experts in various types of healing, including sections on meditation, stress-reduction techniques, mind/body interaction, and the concept of 'chi' energy. Recommended for anyone who struggles with taking medication and wants to find additional ways to help."
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Assertiveness
by Jeff Davidson, MBA, CMC
"Make your professional and personal lives easier by learning to be more assertive. This book helps you learn to get others' attention, get your own way, and make your viewpoint heard without jeopardizing your relationships. Helpful graphs, illustrations and questions make the book easy to use."
Parenting with Love and Logic
by Foster Cline and Jim Fay
"Written by a pediatrician and a school principal, this book is a useful model for dealing with your young children. Do you find yourself engaging in power struggles with your kids over meals or what to wear? This book teaches you how to relax and let natural consequences teach your child lessons they will not forget. The second half of the book contains alphabetized 'pearls' of wisdom on a variety of parenting topics. A must for parents! For parents with teenagers, try also 'Parenting Teens with Love and Logic' by the same authors."
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
by Steven R. Covey
"Based on interviews with effective and successful people, this book is a best-selling guide to becoming a more effective person. The book teaches you the 7 habits that differentiate effective people from others. Very helpful."
The Anger Control Workbook
by by Matthew McKay and Peter Rogers
"A great self-help book or for use as a supplement to an Anger Management group. Explores the causes of anger problems and provides REALISTIC suggestions for managing anger and improving relationships that have been damaged by outbursts of anger.."
The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook
by Edmund Bourne
"Frequently recommended book for people suffering from anxiety disorders. Begins with easy-to-understand information about anxiety disorders & causes, and contains a wealth of information about self-help and professional treatment for anxiety. A wonderful resource!"
The Artist's Way: A spiritual path to higher creativity
by Julia Cameron
"A great book for breaking through barriers that hold you back & for getting in touch with your creative side. Particularly helpful for anyone who has experienced pain and heartache and needs to recover. Each chapter is about recovering a part of yourself: a sense of safety, identity, personal power, integrity, possibility, abundance, connection, strength, compassion, self-protection, autonomy and faith."
Plato Not Prozac!
by Lou Marinoff
"Marinoff explains how a person can get relief from common mental health problems from mental training proposed by the classic philosophers. For example, he cites the PEACE plan - P stands for problem (how do you really examine the problem), E stands for emotion (don't overlook what your feelings are trying to tell you), A is for analysis (look at all the pieces of the puzzle that is your life), C stands for contemplation (take some time to think over the pieces of your life), and E is for equilibrium (doing all the steps will bring balance to your life). The book also has real life case studies on people who have benefited from these techniques."
