Children who are Different

9-year old James says homework’s too hard. However, his teachers say that he’s very intelligent, so how can it be too hard? James picks through his food and takes longer than others. He seems “hyped up”, unable to settle down, and it’s late before he finishes his evening routines and goes to sleep. His parents worry that “he’s not achieving his potential”, “he doesn’t have many friends, or can’t maintain his friendships”, “he just doesn’t listen”, and there are arguments and temper outbursts.
« . . . continue reading “Children who are Different” »

Share

Anxiety: Afraid or Angry?

When human beings think they’re in danger, they react with either ‘fight’ or ‘flight’. These reactions are hard-wired in us, but we all respond differently. A child’s behavior when he is anxious or worried may be in the ‘fight’ mode, with disruptive, oppositional, explosive, angry, or a melt-down – trying to overcome the source of the fear by force.
« . . . continue reading “Anxiety: Afraid or Angry?” »

Share

Understanding ADHD


Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder – excerpt from www.mentalhealth.org.nz

Children with attention deficit /hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are constantly distractible, impulsive and unusually active. They may also have other serious behavioural, emotional and learning problems which can get them into an awful lot of trouble if ADHD is not recognised and treated.
« . . . continue reading “Understanding ADHD” »

Share

Self-help websites

These websites are recommended by our clinicians:
« . . . continue reading “Self-help websites” »

Share

Self-help books


There are many useful self-help books that are based on reliable research. Here is a list with links to each.
Addictive Behavior
Controlling Your Drinking: Tools to Make Moderation Work for You by William R. Miller
Responsible Drinking: A Moderation Management Approach for Problem Drinkers by Frederick Rotgers
Sex, Drugs, Gambling and Chocolate: A Workbook for Overcoming Addictions by A. Thomas Horvath

The Wisdom to Know the Difference: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook for Overcoming Substance Abuse by Kelly G. Wilson

ADHD in Children and Adults
Learning Outside The Lines: Two Ivy League Students with Learning Disabilities and ADHD Give You the Tools for Academic Success and Educational Revolution by Jonathan Mooney and David Cole
Mastering Your Adult ADHD: A Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Program Client Workbook (Treatments That Work) by Steven A. Safren, Susan Sprich, Carol A. Perlman, and Michael W. Otto
More Attention, Less Deficit: Success Strategies for Adults with ADHD by Ari Tuckman
Taking Charge of ADHD, Third Edition: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents by Russell A. Barkley
Taking Charge of Adult ADHD by Russell A. Barkley
The ADHD Workbook for Kids: Helping Children Gain Self-Confidence, Social Skills, and Self-Control by Lawrence Shapiro

Anger Management
Anger Busting 101: The New ABC’s for Angry Men & the Women Who Love Them by Newton Hightower
Anger Management for Everyone: Seven Proven Ways to Control Anger and Live a Happier Life by Raymond Chip Tafrate and Howard Kassinove
The Anger & Aggression Workbook by John J Liptak & Ester A Leutenberg
The Anger Control Workbook by Matthew McKay & Peter Rogers
The Anger Workbook: An Interactive Guide to Anger Management by Les Carter & Frank Minirth
Rage: A Step-by-Step Guide to Overcoming Explosive Anger by Ronald Potter-Efron

Hair Pulling behaviours
Help for Hair Pullers: Understanding and Coping With Trichotillomania by Nancy J. Keuthen, Dan J. Stein, & Gary A. Christensen
The Hair-Pulling Problem: A Complete Guide to Trichotillomania by Fred Penzel
What’s Happening To My Child: A Guide For Parents’ Of Hair Pullers by Cheryn Salazar
You Are Not Alone: Compulsive Hair Pulling, the Enemy Within by Cheryn Salazar

Depression
Breaking Free from Depression: Pathways to Wellness (Guilford Self-Help Workbook Series) by Jesse H. Wright
Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy by David D. Burns
Mind Over Mood by Dennis Greenberger & Christine Padesky
Overcoming Depression One Step at a Time: The New Behavioral Activation Approach to Getting Your Life Back by Michael E. Addis & Christopher R. Martel
The Feeling Good Handbook by David D. Burns
The Mindful Way through Depression: Freeing Yourself from Chronic Unhappiness (includes audio CD narrated by Jon Kabat-Zinn) by J. Mark G. Williams, John D. Teasdale, Zindel V. Segal, & Jon Kabat-Zinn

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Mastery of Your Anxiety and Worry: Workbook by Michelle G. Craske & David H. Barlow

Overcoming Generalized Anxiety Disorder – Client Manual: A Relaxation, Cognitive Restructuring, and Exposure-Based Protocol for the Treatment of Gad (Best Practices for Therapy) by John R. White
The Worry Cure: Seven Steps to Stop Worry from Stopping You by Robert L. Leahy

Hoarding
Buried in Treasures: Help for Compulsive Acquiring, Saving, and Hoarding by David F. Tolin, Randy O. Frost and Gail Steketee
Compulsive Hoarding and Acquiring: Workbook by Gail S. Steketee & Randy Frost
Digging Out: Helping Your Loved One Manage Clutter, Hoarding, and Compulsive Acquiring by Michael A. Tompkins, Tamara L. Hartl, Randy Frost and Gail Steketee
Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things by Gail S. Steketee & Randy Frost

Insomnia
No More Sleepless Nights by Peter Hauri & Shirley Linde
Overcoming Insomnia: A Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Approach Workbook (Treatments That Work) by Jack Edinger & Colleen Carney
Overcoming Insomnia and Sleep Problems by Colin A. Espie
Relief from Insomnia by Charles M. Morin
Say Good Night to Insomnia: The Six-Week, Drug-Free Program Developed At Harvard Medical School by Gregg D. Jacobs
The Insomnia Answer: A Personalized Program for Identifying and Overcoming the Three Types of Insomnia by Paul Glovinsky & Art Spielman
The Insomnia Workbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Getting the Sleep You Need by Stephanie Silberman

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Brain Lock: Free Yourself from Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior: A Four-Step Self-Treatment Method to Change Your Brain Chemistry by Jeffrey M. Schwartz
Kissing Doorknobs by Terry Spencer Hesser
Mastery of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – Client Workbook by Edna B. Foa & Michael J. Kozak
Overcoming Obsessive Thoughts: How to Gain Control of Your OCD by Christine Purdon & David A. Clark
Overcoming Obsessive Compulsive Disorder by Gail S. Steketee
Stop Obsessing!: How to Overcome Your Obsessions and Compulsions (Revised Edition) by Edna B. Foa & Reid Wilson
Take Control of OCD: The Ultimate Guide for Kids With OCD by Bonnie Zucker

Panic Disorder
10 Simple Solutions to Panic: How to Overcome Panic Attacks, Calm Physical Symptoms, & Reclaim Your Life by Martin M. Antony & Randi E. McCabe
Don’t Panic by Reid Wilson
Mastery of Your Anxiety and Panic – Fourth Edition (MAP-4) by David H. Barlow & Michelle G. Craske
Panic Disorder: The Facts by Stanley Rachman & Padmal De Silva
When Panic Attacks: The New, Drug-Free Anxiety Therapy That Can Change Your Life by David D. Burns

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
I Can’t Get Over it – A Handbook for Trauma Survivors by Aphrodite Matsakis
Reclaiming Your Life After Rape by Barbara Olasov Rothbaum & Edna B. Foa
Reclaiming Your Life from a Traumatic Experience: A Prolonged Exposure Treatment Program Workbook by Barbara Rothbaum, Edna Foa, & Elizabeth Hembree

Self-Esteem
How to Accept Yourself (Overcoming Common Problems) by Windy Dryden
Self-Compassion: Stop Beating Yourself Up and Leave Insecurity Behind by Kristin Neff
Self-Esteem: A Proven Program of Cognitive Techniques for Assessing, Improving, and Maintaining Your Self-Esteem by Matthew McKay
Ten Days to Self-Esteem by David D. Burns
Think Confident, Be Confident: A Four-Step Program to Eliminate Doubt and Achieve Lifelong Self-Esteem by Leslie Sokol and Marci Fox
Think Confident, Be Confident for Teens: A Cognitive Therapy Guide to Overcoming Self-Doubt and Creating Unshakable Self-Esteem by Marci Fox and Leslie Sokol

Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)
Managing Social Anxiety by Debra A. Hope, Richard G. Heimberg, Harlan R. Juster & Cynthia L. Turk
Overcoming Shyness and Social Phobia by Ronald M. Rapee
Overcoming Social Anxiety and Shyness by Gillian Butler
The Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook by Martin M. Antony & Richard P. Swinson

Specific Phobias
The 7 Principles of Public Speaking by Richard Zeoli
The Confident Speaker: Beat Your Nerves and Communicate at Your Best in Any Situation by Harrison Monarth & Larina Kase
Flying Without Fear by Duane Brown
Living with Fear by Isaac M. Marks
Mastering Your Fears and Phobias: Workbook by Martin M. Antony, Michelle G. Craske, & David H. Barlow
Overcoming Specific Phobias – Client Manual: A Hierarchy & Exposure-Based Protocol for the Treatment of All Specific Phobias by Edmund J. Bourne
Overcoming Animal & Insect Phobias: How To Conquer Fear Of Dogs, Snakes, Rodents, Bees, Spiders & More by Martin M. Antony & Randi E. McCabe
Overcoming Medical Phobias: How to Conquer Fear of Blood, Needles, Doctors, And Dentists by Martin M. Antony & Mark A. Watling

The CBT Toolbox: A Workbook for Clients and Clinicians by Jeff Riggenbach

The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook by Martha Davis, Matthew McKay & Elizabeth Robbins Eshelman

These books are recommended by our clinicians, and you can look at the book by clicking on the picture:

Abuse
   
Anger
   
Anxiety

 
Body image
   
Children’s mood
   
Depression
   
Divorce and separation
 
Learning problems
   
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
   
Parenting

   
Relationships
Self-esteem
   
Sex therapy
Sleep problems
Social anxiety and shyness
   
Step-parenting
   
Trauma
 
Share

When it’s hard to pay attention

Download PDF

It’s 8.20 on a school day and 8-year old Josh isn’t ready for school. Each time he’s given a list of instructions, he completes the first one and then seems to wander off and get involved in something completely different. He is half-dressed, hasn’t had his breakfast or cleaned his teeth, and doesn’t know where his homework is from last night. His father is ready to leave for work and is frustrated that Josh is late – again! His dad complains that Josh has the attention span of a flea, is easily distractible, doesn’t "listen", and never finishes anything. He’s always been like this, but as he’s got older, the increasing demands of school are highlighting the problems and the strain results in lots of shouting and punishment for Josh and frustration for his parents.
« . . . continue reading “When it’s hard to pay attention” »

Share

Understanding the parent-child relationship

Download PDF

Jenny, a 25-year old mum, complains that her daughter, Mary, aged 4, is “never satisfied” with the attention she gives her. “It doesn’t matter what I do, it’s never enough”, she says. Mary demands Jenny’s undivided attention and yet, when Jenny tries to provide this, something goes wrong. Mary wants it all her way, is easily frustrated and even pushes Jenny away. Jenny tries hard to be patient but finds herself wanting to withdraw from Mary because she feels herself getting angry at Mary’s confusing demands.
« . . . continue reading “Understanding the parent-child relationship” »

Share

Understanding and managing eating problems

Download PDF

Ten-year old Mandy takes three times as long to finish her meal as the rest of the family; three-year old Cameron objects to eating meat and he protests loudly and gags when it is placed in his mouth; fourteen-year old Jackie will only eat very small amounts and refuses foods perceived to be high in fat or sugar; six-year old Cheryl dawdles through breakfast and is always late for school; and eight-year old Shamus will not eat his meal if the different food types have touched each other on the plate. In all of these cases, there is significant stress for parents and children at mealtimes.
« . . . continue reading “Understanding and managing eating problems” »

Share

Tips for reducing distractibility

Download PDF

1          Carefully consider if your child is capable of performing the responsibilities expected. Do not give your child too many chores to do at once, make sure he/she gets up early enough to get to school on time, provide more than enough time to perform a responsibility etc, and do not expect perfection.
« . . . continue reading “Tips for reducing distractibility” »

Share

Tips for parenting a child with ADHD

Download PDF

  • Remember the child will have more energy and needs less sleep than you do. To be safe and successful, he also needs more structure and more supervision to an older age than other children. He will never handle free time well – that’s when to expect trouble. He will be disorganised and socially immature but does want to please.
    « . . . continue reading “Tips for parenting a child with ADHD” »
Share