Successful Problem Solving - by Matthew McKay (Paperback)

About the Book

The four beliefs that interfere with problem solving are a conviction of unworthiness; an assumption that change is risky; feeling incompetent; and a perception that other people are more important. This workbook offers specific strategies to help overcome these inhibiting beliefs and step-by-step instructions on assessing problems, brainstorming solutions, imagining consequences, and putting solutions into practice.

Book Synopsis

Some problems just don't seem to go away. Another season goes by, and you're still behind the same desk, even though the promotion you wanted didn't come through again. Month after month, you and your spouse quarrel about the same old issues. And you still haven't lost the weight you wanted to lose, or kept up that exercise program. You make resolutions, or promise yourself you'll think of a plan. Time passes, and nothing happens. You're right back where you were, and nothing has changed.

Something inside you stands in the way. Maybe you tell yourself you just don't deserve to get what you want, or it's too dangerous to risk a change. Maybe you doubt your ability to fix the problem anyway, or you worry that you might hurt someone else if you tried to change things.

Now, in this new guide, best-selling authors Matthew McKay, Ph.D., and Patrick Fanning will show you how to challenge these four core beliefs that keep you stuck in old ways of acting and living. You will discover the tools you need to work out any problem that you've been unable to solve--whether in your career or finances, your relationship or your family, your health or your lifestyle.

Review Quotes

"Everybody has problems and most people have difficulty in solving them. In a clear, comprehensive fashion the authors demonstrate first the type of ineffective problem solving methods that are used frequently and then demonstrate five easy strategies to solve the usual problems."
--Aaron T. Beck, MD, Director of The Center of Cognitive Therapy, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania and author of Love is Never Enough and Prisoners of Hate: The Cognitive Basis of Anger, Hostility and Violence

"This book provides one of the clearest descriptions of how to use cognitive strategies to change longstanding, negative core beliefs, and provides detailed suggestions for overcoming emotional blocks to solving problems effectively. If negative emotions such as fear, anxiety, depression, and anger keep getting in the way, the exercises in this book will help. I recommend it highly."
--Martin M. Antony, Ph.D., Director, Anxiety Treatment and Research Centre, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Associate Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, McMaster University, and author of When Perfect Isn't Good Enough and The Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook

"Well-written, logical, and easy to follow, Successful Problem Solving takes the mystery out of moving from hopeless frustration to workable solutions. The first self-help book to teach readers not only how to solve problems, but also how to modify dysfunctional beliefs that interfere with effective problem-solving."
--Thomas E. Ellis, Psy.D., ABPP, Retired Professor of Psychology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, and author, Choosing to Live: How to Defeat Suicide through Cognitive Therapy

"Living life means solving problems. Of course there are some problems that get in the way of solving problems. Organized, upbeat, and scientifically grounded, McKay and Fanning help readers become better equipped to make effective decisions and important changes in their lives. After all, problems worth solving are worth solving well."
--Thomas F. Cash, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, Old Dominion University and author, The Body Image Workbook

"Users of this engaging, enlightening, supportive, and exercise-filled book will not read passively! They will be active participants in learning how to identify and overcome their personal speed bumps on the road to solving many of their most pressing problems in living."
--Cory F. Newman, Ph.D., ABPP, Center for Cognitive Therapy, University of Pennsylvania

About the Author

Patrick Fanning is a professional writer in the mental health field. He is the author of Visualization for Change and Lifetime Weight Control and coauthor of nine self-help books.

Matthew McKay, Ph.D., is the clinical director of Haight-Ashbury Psychological Services in San Francisco. McKay is the coauthor of twenty popular books, including The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook, Self-Esteem, When Anger Hurts, Prisoners of Belief, and several professional titles.

Additional books written by the authors include The Addiction Workbook, Self Esteem Companion, Thoughts & Feelings, When Anger Hurts Your Kids, and Couple Skills, all New Harbinger classics.