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“I wish this book had been available when I really needed it 25 years ago! I am so glad Dr. Brinen acknowledges that a person with psychosis or other mental health challenges can truly be the captain of their own ship. The worksheets, the concrete steps, and ways to think about treatment are different than any other therapy or self-help book I have encountered.”

—Rob W., Boston


“Brains are complex and odd, and life can be tricky. Getting lost in all that can result in psychosis. If that has happened to you, you won’t be able to fix all the strangeness of life and of your brain, but you can learn to make enough sense of it to live a rewarding life. That’s where this book comes in. It touches on many of the facets of the recovery journey with insight, clarity, and even humor. Well worth reading, whether you are struggling with psychosis or looking for ways to help someone you care about.”

—Ron Unger, LCSW, private practice, Eugene, Oregon


“Superb. This is a wonderfully encouraging book with a big heart. It is packed full of helpful information and never fails to recognize the uniqueness of each person's journey. An indispensable guide to psychosis.”

—Daniel Freeman, PhD, DClinPsy, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, United Kingdom


“Psychosis can be a terrifying experience, but Dr. Brinen helps you navigate it with less fear. Reading this encouraging book is like walking hand in hand with a knowledgeable and caring friend. If I had had this valuable resource at the beginning of my psychosis journey, it would have demystified the condition and helped me to stabilize in an unstable time.”

—Carolynn Ponzoha, mental health advocate


“This unique, much-needed book is loud and clear in its message—people with psychosis deserve to and can have a rich and meaningful life! Drawing from the latest research and his years of experience as a cognitive behavioral therapist, Dr. Brinen provides practical strategies for managing the challenges of psychosis, creating a vision for your life, and turning it into reality.”

—Dimitri Perivoliotis, PhD, VA San Diego Healthcare System and Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego School of Medicine

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Table of Contents

Introduction

I. Preparing to Live Well Again: Orienting the Captain

1. The Lay of the Land: Treatment

2. The Shadow Obstacles

3. Medications

4. Families

II. Specific Obstacles to Living Well: The Usual Suspects

5. Motivation

6. Connection

7. Distressing Voices and Visions

8. Threat Beliefs about Others

9. Beliefs of Exceptionality

10. Anger

11. Communication Disturbance

12. When the Past Haunts You

13. When Hopelessness Preys

III. Living Life

14. Friends and Lovers

15. Work and School

16. Your Temple, the Body

17. Living Your Best Life

Resources

Index

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About the Author

Aaron P. Brinen, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist in private practice, where he employs evidence-based treatments to help people recover from serious mental health conditions. He is also Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Brinen is a codeveloper of recovery-oriented cognitive therapy (CT-R), and has been active in adapting CT-R for different settings and training therapists from around the world.

• All titles by Aaron P. Brinen

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Audience

Adults with psychosis; also of interest to family members and mental health professionals.