The Compassionate Mind Approach to Reducing Stress (Compassion Focused Therapy)

Stress is an unavoidable part of life that we will all encounter at various times in our lives, be it due to a one-off event such as losing a job or the break-up of a relationship, or from facing long-term difficulties such as working in a stressful environment or caring for someone who is ill. How well we deal with stress will influence the extent to which it affects our lives.

In this ground-breaking book, Maureen Cooper explains why we are designed to respond to stress in a certain way and why this can even be helpful at times. She goes on to explain, using practical examples and techniques, what we can do to change our stress response if it becomes overstimulated, thereby improving our sense of control and wellbeing.

This self-help book is based on the Compassionate Mind Approach, which has been developed by Professor Paul Gilbert, a clinical psychologist who is internationally renowned for his research and clinical work on depression. The Compassionate Mind Approach combines proven, research-based Western therapy techniques such as CBT with Mindfulness, Tibetan Buddhist practices and recent research on human development and studies of the brain.

Understand what influences how well we deal with stress and how you can learn to manage it better

· Learn tried and tested therapeutic techniques
· Contains case studies and practical exercises

The Compassionate Mind Approach

The self-help books in this series are based on the Compassionate Mind Approach. This enables us to develop our inner compassion, which research has shown to have many beneficial effects on our moods, emotions and social relationships. Professor Paul Gilbert, internationally renowned for his research and clinical work on depression, pioneered the Compassionate Mind Approach to therapy over twenty years ago. It integrates the proven, research-based techniques of CBT and other therapies with Mindfulness, Tibetan Buddhist practices and recent research on human development and studies of the brain.

How this book will help you to manage stress

Stress is an unavoidable part of life which we will all encounter at various times in our lives. How well we deal with stress will influence the extent to which it affects our lives. In this groundbreaking book, Maureen Cooper explains why humans are designed to respond to stress in a certain way and why this can even be helpful at times. She goes on to explain, using practical examples and techniques, what we can do to change our stress response if it becomes over-stimulated, thereby improving our sense of control and wellbeing.

Maureen Cooper is the founder of Awareness in Action, a consultancy dedicated to the secular application of Mindfulness, meditation and compassion in the workplace. As part of this work she has designed and conducted workshops and training programmes worldwide.

Series Editor Professor Paul Gilbert is world-renowned for his work on depression, shame and self-criticism. He is the author of The Compassionate Mind and integrated the techniques used in Compassion Focused Therapy.