Recommended Reading

CBT Self-Help Books

Here is my list of recommended CBT self-help books to get you started in learning more about CBT and how it can help with specific problems like depression and anxiety.

The first book on my list “Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Dummies” comes highly recommended; it was written by two of my former colleagues and in addition to teaching you CBT techniques, it provides you with a lot of useful information including what to look for in a therapist, where to find a good CBT therapist, questions to ask your therapist before embarking on a course of therapy, etc. If you have a limited budget for self-help material, I would recommend this book be the one you invest in.

General CBT Books

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy For Dummies by Rob Willson and Rhena Branch
Manage Your Mind-The Mental Fitness Guide by Gillian Butler and Tony Hope

Self-Help CBT Workbooks

Mond Over Mood
Mind Over Mood: Change How You Feel By Changing the Way You Think by Christine A. Padesky
Overcoming Situational and General Anger
Overcoming Situational and General Anger (Client Manual) by J. Deffenbacher and M. McKay
Overcoming Depression and Low Mood
Overcoming Depression and Low Mood: A Five Areas Approach by Christopher Williams

Self-Help Books for Anxiety Disorders


This first book on my list is my new “go-to” book for anxiety disorders. It is written for the client, in easy to understand language, and helps clients understand what to do when they have more than one anxiety disorder. I highly recommend it!

The Complete CBT Guide for Anxiety by Roz Shafran, Lee Brosan & Peter Cooper
The Anxiety & Worry Workbook by David Clark & Aaron Beck
Managing Social Anxiety by Hope, Heimberg and Turk
Mastery of Your Anxiety and Panic by Barlow and Craske

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: The Facts by Rachman & De Silva
Overcoming Obsessive Thoughts: How to Gain Control of Your OCD by David A. Clark and Christine Purdon

A Book on Overcoming Workplace Stress

Overcoming Your Workplace Stress: A CBT-Based Self-Help Guide by Martin R. Bamber

The Overcoming Series (please click here for more titles)

Overcoming Depression
Overcoming Depression by Paul Gilbert
Overcoming Social Anxiety and Shyness by Gillian Butler
Overcomh Low Self-Esteem
Overcoming Low Self-esteem: by Melanie Fennell
Overcoming OCD
Overcoming Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder by David Veale and Rob Willson
Overcoming Worry by Kevin Meares & Mark Freeston
Overcoming Stress by Lee Brosan and Gillian Todd
Overcoming Perfectionism by Roz Shafran, Sarah Egan, and Tracey Wade

Books for Insomnia/Sleep Problems

Goodnight Mind by Colleen Carney & Rachel Manber
Overcoming Insomnia and Sleep Problems by Colin Espie

A range of titles from Sheldon Press

The Incredible Sulj
The Incredible Sulk (Overcoming Common Problems) by Windy Dryden
Overcoming Anger
Overcoming Anger: When Anger Helps and When It Hurts by Windy Dryden
Overcoming Procastination
Overcoming Procrastination by Dr Windy Dryden
Overcoming Jealousy
Overcoming Jealousy (Overcoming Common Problems) by Windy Dryden
How To Stand Up For Yourself
How to Stand Up For Yourself by Dr. Paul Hauck
Hold your head up high
Hold Your Head Up High by Dr. Paul Hauck
Jealousy
Jealousy (Overcoming Common Problems) by Paul A. Hauck

Articles on CBT’s effectiveness


Wikipedia: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

The Guardian