Stories and Analogies in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

Paul Blenkiron is a Consultant Psychiatrist based at Bootham Park Hospital in York, UK, and is an accredited member of the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies. He is also Honorary Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences at Leeds University, and a CBT course facilitator at York University’s Department of Health Sciences. He has authored more than 60 original research and clinical publications in the areas of CBT, depression, self harm and chronic fatigue.

• List of Tables, Figures and Boxes. About the Author.Foreword by Chris Williams.Preface.Acknowledgments.PART ONE: ONCE UPON A TIME: GETTING STARTED.Chapter 1: What is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy?CBT: Ten Essential Ingredients.Ten Common Myths About CBT.Summary.Chapter 2: Stories, Analogies & Metaphors.Tools for Communication.Stories from the Wider World.Story-Telling across the Psychotherapies.Summary.Chapter 3: Using Stories in CBT.Uses for Stories and Metaphors.Abuses and Limitations.The Evidence Base.Drawing it All Together.Summary.PART TWO: DEVELOPING THE PLOT: STORIES FOR SPECIFIC DISORDERS.Chapter 4: Depression.Definition.Stories and Analogies.Step 1: Putting it into Words.Step 2: Accepting Help.CBT for Depression.Step 3: Doing More - Activities and Goals.Three Layers of Thinking.Step 4: Removing the Critical Voice.Step 5: Develop a Kinder Self-Talk.Step 6: Preparing for the Future.Summary.Chapter 5: Anxiety, Panic and Phobias.What Is Anxiety?How Do We Learn?Assessing Anxiety.Generalised Anxiety Disorder.Panic Disorder.Catastrophic Misinterpretation.Selective Attention.Hypervigilence.Safety Behaviours.Phobias.Graded Exposure.Social Anxiety.SummaryChapter 6: Obsessions, Compulsions and Post Traumatic Stress.Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.Definition.Behaviour Therapy for OCD.Cognitive Therapy for OCD.Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.Definition.Stories and Analogies for PTSD.CBT for PTSD.Exposure Therapy for PTSD.Cognitive Therapy for PTSD.Childhood Trauma.Summary.Chapter 7: Physical Health.Health Anxiety.Medically Unexplained Symptoms.Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.Eating Disorders.Adjusting to Serious Illness.When Illness Threatens Life.Summary.Chapter 8: Personality, Beliefs And Behaviours.Anger.Assertiveness.Low Self Esteem.Relationship Problems.Self Harm.Perfectionism.Changing Core Beliefs.Summary.PART THREE: HAPPILY EVER AFTER? STORY-TELLING IN THE REAL WORLD.Chapter 9: CBT In Practice.Practical Tips For Therapists.Creating Personalised Stories and Analogies.Problem Solving.Schizophrenia and Psychosis.Teamwork, Training and CBT Supervision.Summary.Chapter 10: The Next Generation.Third Generation CBT.Behavioural Activation.Mindfulness.Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.CBT for Enduring Problems.Compassionate Mind Training.Building Resilience.The New You.The Future of CBT.Summary.Epilogue.Appendices. Appendix 1: Sources of Information for this Book.Appendix 2: Literature Search.Appendix 3: List of Therapy Conversations.Appendix 4: List of Stories and Analogies.Author’s Note.References.Index.

“Story telling is one of our most ancient ways of communicating. Paul Blenkiron has vividly described how stories can be used for therapeutic purposes.” (CBT Today, March 2015)“An excellent, stimulating book. Offers all therapists an invaluable toolkit for many years to come. I recommend savouring every word." (Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2 February 2011)“This is a real treat and worth an investment - not only for ‘the shelf’, but also for the 'self’" (British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies, 15 December 2010 )"What makes this book such a coherent piece of work is its structured presentation of useful content paired with the well-thought-out narrative in which these ideas are communicated." (Psychologist, 1 October 2010)“The usefulness of this book to therapeutic practice is vast.” (Therapeutic Recreation, 1 July, 2010)