The step-by-step exercises, techniques, and worksheets in this book work to identify painful inner conflicts that might underlie depression and anxiety symptoms. Then, by negotiating a series of compromises, the techniques help acknowledge these issues while limiting their ability to interfere with your life—effectively reducing the extent to which your emotions govern who you are or what you are capable of. This book explains mindfulness techniques that encourage participation in the world and allow easier adaptation to change. It treats the difference between “threat cues” and “safety cues” and how recognizing and reacting to them constructively can reduce the effects of anxiety and depression. By teaching you how to monitor and limit negative self-evaluations and how to best tolerate negative experience, this book gives you a powerful set of tools for the control of co-occurring depression and anxiety.
Thomas Marra, PhD, founded and directed one of the first inpatient psychiatric programs using dialectic behavior therapy as the clinical focus of treatment for every patient admitted to the facility, regardless of diagnosis. He has practical and theoretical experience in treating a wide patient population using the principles and strategies of DBT. He has been practicing clinical psychology for 25 years, first as a military psychologist in both inpatient and outpatient settings, then in civilian settings as administrator, trainer, and clinician. He is author of Dialectical Behavior Therapy in Private Practice and Depressed and Anxious.