Becoming a Master of the Mind

This book provides an innovative and engaging method for teaching adolescents how to manage emotions and challenge distorted thinking patterns. Its structure, clarity, and adaptability make it ideal for use in schools, individual or group therapy, or self-guided learning. The book presents a cognitive training program specifically developed for adolescents and based on Trial-Based Cognitive Therapy, a kind of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy created by the first author of this book using courtroom metaphors, inspired by Franz Kafka’s The Trial, to help youth externalize and evaluate their negative core beliefs in a simulated “mental trial.” Each section is filled with engaging examples, illustrations, and practical activities that teach adolescents to recognize cognitive distortions, develop emotional awareness, and build adaptive behavior patterns. Exercises such as the “Detective Lens” and the use of the CD-Quest-T questionnaire reinforce critical thinking and emotional regulation. Becoming a Master of the Mind: Trial-Based Cognitive Training for Adolescents fills an important gap in adolescent mental health education by offering a structured yet engaging approach that promotes psychological flexibility and well-being. It is not only a valuable self-help tool for adolescents but also a flexible resource for educators, therapists, and parents, which can be used in classrooms, group interventions, or individual therapy.