20 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Books That Experts Rely On

What started as Dr. Scott H. Waltman's dedication to refining psychotherapy training evolved into a detailed guide on Socratic strategies within cognitive behavioral therapy. You’ll gain practical knowledge on applying these techniques through diverse case examples, including working with challenging populations like those with borderline personality disorder. The book offers specific insights on troubleshooting Socratic questioning and layering interventions to change core beliefs. If you’re a therapist in training or an experienced clinician aiming to deepen your practice, this text provides clear frameworks grounded in modern integrative CBT approaches.

Dr. Simon Rego's extensive background in cognitive behavioral psychology informs this workbook, designed to guide you through manageable exercises that tackle common mental health challenges like anxiety, anger, and low self-esteem. The book breaks down CBT techniques into brief, targeted activities, such as reframing negative thoughts and improving communication skills, making it accessible even on busy days. You’ll find chapters dedicated to specific issues, enabling you to build a toolkit for emotional resilience and self-acceptance. This book suits anyone looking to apply CBT principles to daily well-being without requiring a formal diagnosis or therapy sessions.

This personalized book explores Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) by focusing on your unique goals and experience level, guiding you through core concepts and advanced applications tailored to your needs. It covers foundational theories, practical techniques, and nuanced approaches that resonate with your specific interests, ensuring a deep and meaningful engagement with CBT principles. The tailored content matches your background, helping you build confidence in applying therapeutic methods effectively. By synthesizing expert knowledge with your personal learning objectives, this book reveals pathways to master CBT concepts at your own pace, offering a customized journey through this transformative psychological approach.

Jon Hershfield, alongside Tom Corboy and James Claiborn, brings a nuanced understanding of obsessive-compulsive disorder through this workbook that blends mindfulness with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). You learn how to cultivate present-moment awareness and challenge distorted thinking patterns, especially around compulsions and intrusive thoughts. The book introduces new chapters on topics like emotional contamination and existential obsessions, broadening your grasp beyond typical OCD frameworks. If you're seeking tools to shift your relationship with obsessive thoughts and compulsive urges, this book offers concrete practices grounded in both clinical research and lived experience.

Bridget Flynn Walker, with her extensive background as a clinical psychologist specializing in anxiety disorders, offers a focused five-step cognitive behavioral therapy program tailored specifically for teens grappling with social anxiety. The book breaks down how to identify triggers and unhelpful coping behaviors, then guides you through gradually facing anxiety-provoking situations to build confidence. It includes clear examples of techniques to challenge avoidance and develop lasting skills to manage social fears. If you’re a teen or caregiver seeking practical approaches rooted in CBT to navigate social anxiety, this book delivers straightforward, gradual methods to regain control and comfort in social settings.

Drawing from her extensive background in cognitive behavioral therapy and mentorship under Carol Dweck and Aaron Beck, Elaine Elliott-Moskwa offers a focused approach to reshaping limiting beliefs through CBT techniques. This workbook teaches you how to recognize and shift from a fixed to a growth mindset by applying practical exercises that target resilience and confidence, as outlined in key chapters like the ones on self-talk and values-based living. If you often hesitate before challenges due to self-doubt, this book provides tools to help you reframe those thoughts and embrace learning opportunities. It’s particularly useful if you want to cultivate mental flexibility and a more adaptive outlook, though readers looking for purely theoretical discussions might find it less suitable.

This tailored book explores the practical application of cognitive behavioural therapy techniques designed to deliver noticeable improvements within 30 days. It covers targeted actions and symptom relief strategies that align with your unique background and goals, ensuring your learning experience is both relevant and effective. Through a personalized approach, it focuses on the specific CBT concepts and exercises that will most benefit your situation, guiding you step-by-step through the process of transforming thought patterns and emotional responses. Whether you aim to ease anxiety, shift unhelpful beliefs, or build resilience, this book offers a customized pathway to progress that respects your individual pace and interests.

Drawing from Dennis Greenberger's extensive 30-year clinical experience and his role as founder of the Anxiety and Depression Center, this book details cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques that directly address difficult emotions such as depression, anxiety, and anger. You learn how to identify and change distorted thinking patterns through practical exercises, mindfulness, and goal-setting, supported by worksheets designed to track progress. The expanded second edition adds mindfulness, acceptance, and forgiveness practices, making it useful for those seeking to manage a wide range of emotional challenges with evidence-based methods. If you want a hands-on guide to shift your mood by changing your thought patterns, this book offers structured tools without overwhelming theory.

Valerie L. Gaus brings a strong clinical background in psychology focused on adults with autism spectrum disorder, shaping this book to meet a critical gap in therapeutic resources. You learn how to tailor cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques to address social skills, emotional regulation, and common co-occurring issues like anxiety and depression in ASD adults. The book goes beyond theory with detailed case studies and reproducible worksheets, helping you understand how to adapt treatment to the unique cognitive styles of this population. Whether you're a clinician or therapist, this guide offers practical frameworks to enhance your approach to clients on the spectrum, especially those without intellectual disabilities.

When Seth J. Gillihan, a licensed psychologist with a solid background in mindfulness-centered cognitive behavioral therapy, wrote this book, he aimed to make CBT accessible beyond clinical settings. You’ll explore 10 specific strategies that target anxiety, depression, anger, panic, and worry—ranging from goal-setting techniques to mindfulness exercises and cognitive reframing. For example, the book guides you through positive self-evaluations to help track your progress and reshape negative thought patterns. This book suits anyone looking to supplement therapy or manage everyday stress more skillfully without overwhelming jargon or complex theory.

Jennifer Shannon, a licensed marriage and family therapist and cofounder of a cognitive-behavioral therapy center, brings a distinctive approach to managing anxiety in this book. She explores how the "monkey mind"—the restless, anxious chatter in your head—can be managed not by suppression but by learning to stop feeding it through avoidance. You’ll discover practical exercises blending cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and mindfulness to identify and question anxious thoughts, uncovering the deeper fears fueling them. This book suits anyone grappling with anxiety who wants a clear, relatable method to regain focus and peace without complicated jargon or overwhelming theory.

Lawrence Wallace draws from his own battles with anxiety and depression to craft a guide that feels both personal and practical. You’ll explore seven targeted strategies that not only explain how to identify and change negative thought patterns but also integrate mindfulness, self-compassion, and even insights from Stoic and Buddhist traditions. This book doesn’t just stop at theory; it offers tangible tools for managing intrusive thoughts, improving sleep, and handling stress through real-life applications. If you’re ready to understand your mind’s workings and develop resilience against emotional challenges, this book offers clear pathways without fluff or jargon.

Matthew McKay, PhD, a clinical psychologist with decades of experience, crafted this book to address the core cognitive patterns that shape your self-esteem. You’ll learn how to identify and challenge negative self-talk, distinguish healthy from unhealthy self-worth, and apply updated cognitive behavioral therapy techniques alongside acceptance and commitment therapy principles. For example, chapters on defusion help you separate from judgmental thoughts, while exercises encourage acting in line with your values. This book suits anyone grappling with self-doubt or wanting to build lasting confidence through practical cognitive tools.

The breakthrough moment came when Elena Welsh, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist with extensive training and experience in trauma and anxiety, developed this workbook to address panic attacks through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). You gain concrete understanding of how panic manifests in the brain and body, alongside practical CBT tools for relaxation, mindfulness, and gradual exposure to fears. The workbook’s structure lets you tailor your journey, using self-assessments and real patient stories to track progress and personalize coping strategies. If you’re grappling with panic attacks or anxiety, this book offers a focused, scientifically grounded path to managing your symptoms more confidently.

Glenn Waller's extensive experience as a clinical psychologist and his leadership roles in eating disorder research shaped this focused exploration of brief cognitive behavioural therapy tailored for non-underweight patients. The book introduces a 10-session CBT approach that adapts flexibly to patient needs, offering clinicians clear techniques and rationales, including weekly monitoring strategies and illustrative case materials. You’ll gain practical insights into delivering effective treatment efficiently, helping reduce waiting times without compromising care quality. This method suits clinicians aiming to assist adults and young adults with eating disorders outside severe underweight cases, though it’s less relevant if you’re seeking long-term or inpatient interventions.

When Eric L. Granholm and his coauthors developed their cognitive-behavioral social skills training (CBSST), they addressed a critical gap in schizophrenia treatment by integrating cognitive-behavioral therapy, social skills training, and problem-solving methods into one structured manual. You gain practical tools to help clients improve essential life skills, from social interactions to problem-solving, supported by reproducible workbooks and provider scripts that ease implementation. The book’s clear format and evidence-based approach make it especially valuable for clinicians seeking hands-on guidance to enhance community functioning in schizophrenia. If you're involved in psychological rehabilitation or psychiatric care, this book offers focused insights that go beyond symptom management to real-world recovery challenges.

When Anna Napawan, PhD, developed this workbook, she aimed to make cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approachable and practical for everyday use. You’ll learn to redefine your relationship with stress and cultivate positive thinking patterns through structured exercises and journaling prompts. The book guides you in clarifying what happiness means personally, then applies CBT tools to help you overcome mental roadblocks and build lasting joy. Chapters include techniques for reframing negative thoughts and using affirmations to maintain motivation, making it especially useful if you're looking to embed positivity into daily habits. This workbook suits anyone ready to engage actively with their mindset and emotional well-being.

Dr. David J Keuler brings over 20 years of clinical experience treating OCD to this thoughtful exploration of regaining control through a blend of mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral therapy. You’ll find detailed guidance on integrating meditative practices like nonjudgmental observation and self-compassion with exposure and response prevention techniques, designed to help you face intrusive thoughts head-on. Notably, the book dives into how ancient Buddhist philosophy complements modern CBT methods, offering strategies such as 'mindful exposure' to reengage with avoided activities. This book suits those seeking a nuanced, patient-centered approach to OCD recovery, especially if standard treatments haven’t fully worked for you.

Drawing from his extensive clinical experience, Jonah Lakin, PsyD offers a focused approach to managing obsessive-compulsive disorder through cognitive behavioral therapy techniques. You learn practical methods like exposure and response prevention alongside mindfulness strategies designed to help you confront intrusive thoughts and reduce compulsive actions. The book includes relatable case studies illustrating these methods in action, making complex therapy concepts accessible. Whether you struggle with mild or severe OCD symptoms, this guide provides targeted exercises to build resilience and regain control over your daily life.

Jordan A. Madison brings her extensive clinical experience as a licensed marriage and family therapist into this journal designed to support your mental well-being through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy techniques. You’ll find evidence-based prompts that guide you to challenge unhelpful thoughts, practice breathing exercises, and engage with affirmations tailored to reshape your emotional and psychological patterns. This book suits anyone looking to integrate CBT into their daily routine, whether solo or alongside complementary therapy work, offering practical tools to foster healthier habits and emotional resilience. For example, the journal’s exercises encourage reflection on values and goal alignment, making it a hands-on resource for sustained mental health improvement.

Tiffany Loggins Psy.D. draws on her clinical psychology expertise to present a focused CBT workbook tailored for therapists and their patients. You learn to navigate the core connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors through over 100 targeted exercises that address common issues like anxiety and anger management. The book equips you with adaptable strategies to help clients shift perspectives and modify behaviors effectively. If you’re a clinician seeking practical tools to enhance your therapeutic approach or a mental health professional wanting to deepen your CBT application, this workbook offers concrete methods without unnecessary jargon.