In an age where self-esteem is seen as essential to mental health, we are seeing unprecedented rises in mental health difficulties from depression anxiety, eating disorders and many others. Is there not a dichotomy at play here? Is Self - Esteem (ie 'I live for my rating') a reality at all or simply a myth we are all buying into. In this book bestselling author Harry Barry challenges the conventional wisdom and explores why the terms self-acceptance, self-respect and self-actualization are more helpful in developing positive mental health. In his trademark style he also provides practical examples of what we should all be doing instead to build confidence and reach our full potential. Part 1: The myth of self-esteem Part 2: Debunking the myth of 'low self-esteem' Part 3: Debunking the myth of 'high self-esteem' Part 4: Debunking the myth 'others can dictate my self-esteem'

Examining the thinking of great religious teachers, philosophers, and psychologists, the founder of one of the world's most successful forms of therapy teaches readers how to accept themselves--and others--unconditionally.

One of the world's leading practitioners, thinkers and teachers in the field of psychotherapy and counselling here presents an account of how to run brief, structured, educationally oriented groups which aim to develop self-acceptance as a step in helping clients who have emotional problems. Windy Dryden illustrates the process and practicalities of running self-acceptance groups with a detailed session-by-session review of his own practice with one group, using the Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy approach with which he is so much associated. This book offers to students and practitioners of therapy and counselling * An introduction to the principles of REBT and some valuable developments of the approach which will interest even experienced followers of REBT * A powerful process for building self-acceptance, rather than self-esteem, in a way which stresses a person's uniqueness, humanity, complexity and fallibility * Clear, practical guidance on how therapists and counsellors can use and present these principles and processes within structured, educational groups "Windy Dryden has done it again ... he has taken one of the key theories of REBT, added to it considerably, and shown in detail how it can be successfully implemented by teachers, and by therapists with their clients ... (he) has done a great service to emotional education by providing us with this sound and practical manual." From the Foreword by Albert Ellis, President, Albert Ellis Institute for REBT, New York This book appears in the Wiley Series in Brief Therapy and Counselling Series Editor: Windy Dryden Goldsmiths College, University of London, UK

​ Self-acceptance is recognized in diverse schools of Christian and Eastern theology as well as in various schools of counseling and psychotherapy (e.g., Humanistic, Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy) as a major contributor to mental health, life satisfaction and wellness. A review of the professional literature reveals there is no text that spells out how different theologies, theories of personality and approaches to counseling and therapy conceptualize self-acceptance and how this concept is interrelated to other aspects and constructs of spirituality and psychological functioning (e.g., flexibility, mindfulness). Additionally, the field of positive psychology, which studies the character strengths and virtues that help individuals to experience well-being and to flourish, has largely ignored the concept of self-acceptance.

A radical day-by-day guide to redefining beauty and creating lasting self-esteem Every day, American women and girls are besieged by images and messages that suggest their beauty is inadequate, inflicting immeasurable harm upon their confidence and sense of wellbeing. In Beautiful You, author Rosie Molinary encourages women to feel wonderful about themselves -- even when today's media-saturated culture tells them not to. Drawing on tools for heightened self-awareness, creativity, and mind-body connections, Beautiful You incorporates practical techniques into a 365-day action plan that empowers women to embrace a healthy self-image, shore up self-confidence, break undermining habits of self-criticism, and champion their own emotional and physical wellbeing. Modern and meaningful, these doable, enjoyable daily actions encourage women and girls to manifest a healthy outlook on life, to live large, and to love themselves and others.

In this collection of practical essays, 19 leading teachers explore the questions around self-acceptance—and investigate how we can overcome the difficulties of embracing who we are. Join them to learn where our self-critical voices come from, how we can find motivation to change and excel while still accepting ourselves as we are, and how we can best offer compassion and forgiveness toward ourselves and others.

The life-changing guide to finding freedom from our self-doubt through the revolutionary practice of Radical Acceptance from the renowned meditation teacher, psychologist, and author—now revised and updated with a new introduction and an in-depth guide to the author’s signature mindfulness techniques. “Radical Acceptance offers us an invitation to embrace ourselves with all our pain, fear, and anxieties, and to step lightly yet firmly on the path of understanding and compassion.”—Thich Nhat Hanh “Believing that something is wrong with us is a deep and tenacious suffering,” says Tara Brach at the start of this illuminating book. This suffering emerges in crippling self-judgments and conflicts in our relationships, in addictions and perfectionism, in loneliness and overwork—all the forces that keep our lives constricted and unfulfilled. Radical Acceptance offers a path to freedom, including the day-to-day practical guidance developed over Dr. Brach’s forty years of work with therapy clients and Buddhist students. Writing with great warmth and clarity, Tara Brach brings her teachings alive through personal stories and case histories, fresh interpretations of Buddhist tales, and guided meditations. Step by step, she shows us how we can stop being at war with ourselves and begin to live fully every precious moment of our lives.

A comprehensive and groundbreaking workbook addressing the stigma and distorted self-image issues experienced by those suffering with mental illness.

'Another masterpiece from a cutting-edge expert' IRISH TIMES 'Simply but expertly, Emotional Resilience give you the tools to heal yourself and deal with the slings and arrows of modern life' Cathy Kelly, bestselling author and UNICEF ambassador THE #1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER There are many challenges facing our mental health. We are living in the middle of an anxiety epidemic, depression is one of the most significant mental health issues of our time, self-harm is endemic amongst school children and technology and social media are insidiously and pervasively invading our lives leading to toxic stress. In this book, bestselling author and GP Dr Harry Barry reveals how you can unlock your inner emotional resilience reserves, deal with the challenges of life, and protect your mental health. He explores the key skills needed to transform your emotional capacity and reach your full potential. He covers: Personal skills teaching you how to deal with self-acceptance, perfectionism, frustration, failure and success, the physical symptoms of anxiety, procrastination, problem solving and catastrophising. Social skills such as how to develop and practice empathy, read social cues and how to deal with anxiety in social and performance situations. Life skills such as how to deal with the unfairness and discomfort of life, pragmatism and conflict resolution, how to develop a work/life balance and what to do when stress comes calling.

Most of us have plenty of experience with self-blame and guilt - but we are often at a loss when it comes to forgiving ourselves. According to Colin Tipping, this is because our idea of forgiveness usually requires a victim and a perpetrator - which is impossible when we play both roles at the same time. Tipping's Radical Forgiveness process all...