A new book offering practical daily strategies and unique insights for people living with depression has been released by renowned psychologist Christopher R. Martell, PhD, ABPP. If depression is holding you back from fully participating in life or you are seeking new techniques to aid your current treatment, Living Well with Depression: Practical Strategies for Improving Your Daily Life will bring you evidence-based methods for getting through hard days and reengaging with the world.
Dr. Martell is Professor of Practice in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He is also Clinic Director at the Psychological Services Center, the training clinic for doctoral students at UMass. Previously, Dr. Martell had a private practice in Seattle for over 20 years. He has trained and supervised clinicians and provided research consultation around the world, with a focus on behavioral activation treatment for depression.
Part of the Guilford Press "Living Well" series, this book was developed for readers who may not have fully recovered from depression, offering hope and original ideas that will help them to improve their lives.
The book is written in three parts, guiding the reader through resolving everyday problems, handling new challenges, and accomplishing personal and professional goals. Part One addresses basic principles based on decades of research and therapy trials that serve as the overarching framework for the strategies. Part Two provides chapters on daily aspects of navigating life with depression. Chapters include such topics as "keeping up with self-care," "handling daily chores," "interacting with others," all of which may be challenging for some people dealing with depression.
Part Three addresses common needs for people dealing with depression. There is a chapter on seeking professional help and some factors to consider that may be helpful in finding the right therapist. Part Three emphasizes finding ways to fully benefit from times that are good, and further advice on managing rough times and navigating through depression.
The strategies in the book are based on broad cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) approaches, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and behavioral activation (BA) as well as based on Interpersonal Therapy (IPT). Many of the strategies in the book were developed over years of CBT practice in which Dr. Martell collaborated with depressed clients to problem-solve troubling situations and to move through a course of treatment by creatively addressing problems with more nuance and client input than a treatment manual would provide.
“If depression is affecting your daily life, this book is for you. Dr. Martell has spent decades studying depression and helping people recover. This book offers nitty-gritty tools and guidance to cope with issues that even the best treatments can't always address.” — Jacqueline B. Persons, PhD, Director, Oakland Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center
“As someone with intermittent depression (and a health care professional), I have finally found a book that addresses the ups and downs of living with depression and its impact on everyday functioning. I love Dr. Martell's explanation of 'acting from the outside in' and his simple recommendations—for example, if you can't get out of bed, try just putting your feet on the floor.” — Georgia M., Bennington, Vermont
“Dr. Martell helps you develop routines that stabilize your mood, and the focus on working on one thing at time prevents you from feeling overwhelmed. I especially appreciate the advice about living in the present and experiencing the sights, sounds, and other senses of the world around us.” — Ann K., Hinesburg, Vermont
This book is a compendium of reasonable strategies for dealing with difficulties that arise, and with symptoms that tend to keep people feeling limited by depression. Designed for adults or adolescents, the book can also serve as a compliment to therapy by being a source of new techniques that can be further refined and personalized by client and therapist.
Learn more about the book: Living Well with Depression: Practical Strategies for Improving Your Daily Life