(excerpt from Book Review by Scott Steen, Journal of Psychological Therapies in Primary Care, Vol 5 No 1 August 2016)
“How refreshing it is to find a book which soars above the rest and systematically engages the reader to make real and long-lasting change. A workbook that has proven to be very popular, finding its place in and amongst the essential reading lists for anyone suffering with a common mental health problem….The format and structure of this book is clear, accessible, well-paced, and engaging. The content is clearly cross-referenced and the reader is guided every step of the way, allowing it to suit their own individual needs….Perhaps of greatest value is its reflexivity, with helpful hints and constant mood check-ups available to emphasize the importance of verifying whether the techniques used are beneficial. Each chapter is accompanied by a series of case scenarios which are constantly revisited throughout the book, creating an air of familiarity and a feeling that you are not alone in working through these worksheets. I found myself reading these case scenarios with great interest, eager to find out how each individual resolved their issues using the techniques described in this book. Another strength of this book is the way it communicates the message that negative thoughts are a natural component of the human experience, and to deny their influence and presence would be unwise. Instead, the reader is encouraged to accept and incorporate these thoughts into their daily lives, creating alternative and balanced thinking patterns that are more realistic and constructive. Mind Over Mood is a well-executed and systematic approach for teaching and developing the skills in evidence-based CBT techniques. The content is accessible, easy-to-follow, and makes use of several helpful hints to boost enjoyment and success with the book.”