Matthew McKay

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Interpersonal Problems: Using Mindfulness, Acceptance, and Schema Awareness to Change Interpersonal Behaviors
by Matt McKay, PhD. 12/22/22 reviewed

Why I picked this book up: being more interested in getting useful therapy skills from these topics.

Thoughts: I found this book useful from these two perspectives that were simple, useful and easily understandable with many examples and coping behaviors. In short, none of the current treatment approaches for interpersonal problems adequately target all aspects driving maladaptive coping behaviors. The innovative combination of ACT with a schema-based approach allows for a well-rounded treatment protocol that addresses all of the essential criteria. To be clear, this is an ACT treatment. It doesn’t use any schema therapy techniques; schemas are utilized solely for the purpose of identifying clients’ primary pain. The goal of this approach is not to change clients’ schemas or core beliefs; rather, the goal is to help them accept the primary pain associated with their schemas and assist them in improving behavioral flexibility in order to enhance values-based living.”

Why I finished this read: it offered easy to follow and important ways to use them. I finished because there was many useful therapy sections to explore

Stars rating: 4/5 stars… (more)

This is not a book to read; it is a book to work. I have worked through this book with a counselor for many months now, and I can honestly say it has changed the course of my life.

Since childhood, I have struggled with low self-esteem. I have a Ph.D. in physics, a good job, and a loving wife. However, I still said to myself on a daily basis, "I am a failure." "It is all my fault." "It is only a matter of time before they find out I am not as good as they think I am." "I don't understand why she is still with me." Working through this book with my counselor has been the most important part of breaking out of these lies about myself.

This is not easy work, but it is worthwhile, and I would recommended to anyone whose head is echoing with the same self-hating lies.… (more)

How to Communicate is a lucid introduction to human relationships. Although people talk to others, the basics of human communication are sometimes lost to a great number of people. They pay attention only to what was said and don’t notice the posture of the person or the timbre of their voice. Most communication is wrapped up in these little cues, and as I said, many fail to take notice.

The authors put together a number of situations that could arise in your day-to-day life. For instance, asking for a pay raise, getting a better deal for a used car, getting into fights with a significant other or child. All of these situations are covered in this book.

The book is slightly old, but the only way you can really tell is because they talk about ‘tape decks’ in cars. The advice is pretty timeless, so that doesn’t really add or subtract from the book, I merely thought it was interesting.… (more)