Review of Phobia Relief
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Arina Korol
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Review of Phobia Relief
[Following is a volunteer review of "Phobia Relief" by Kalliope Barlis.]
Kalliope Barlis' "Phobia Relief" presents a thorough and considerate approach to conquering phobias and anxiety disorders. As a licensed psychologist, Barlis employs her vast knowledge in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to offer actionable methods for handling fear.
To kick off the book, the author provides an introduction to the fight-or-flight response and how it can lead to phobia development when it malfunctions. Barlis proceeds by presenting her own method of gradually confronting feared situations, known as the "Fear Ladder" approach. She offers comprehensive instructions on how to create a ladder that involves taking incremental steps towards facing one's fears. The ladder typically starts with addressing a minor fear and progresses to the most daunting scenario, serving as a form of exposure therapy.
Throughout Phobia Relief, there is a prominent theme that centers on taking charge of one's anxiety by utilizing logical thinking and mindfulness. Barlis offers effective techniques for cognitive restructuring that aid in confronting irrational fears and substituting them with more pragmatic evaluations. Additionally, she highlights the significance of relaxation practices such as deep breathing and visualization.
The latter half of the book employs the Fear Ladder method to tackle prevalent fears such as acrophobia, aviophobia, zoophobia, germophobia, and social phobia. Each chapter details the symptoms and origins of the particular fear, and subsequently provides practical measures for overcoming it. The chapter on social anxiety is especially noteworthy, as it offers a comprehensive guide to conquering fears through gradual exposure, including but not limited to becoming more assertive and speaking in public.
With unwavering empathy, Barlis infuses her book with uplifting guidance and relatable anecdotes from her past patients. Her writing style is assertive and hopeful, serving as both a nurturing mentor and a resolute leader. Without any technical language, Phobia Relief speaks to both professionals in the field and the everyday reader. For anyone grappling with anxiety, this pragmatic guide is an indispensable tool.
The book is also useful in that at the end there are additional exercises that you can do yourself in order to develop the skills that were mentioned above in the book in various chapters. There is also a glossary so that those who are not closely familiar with psychological terms can easily familiarize themselves with them and fully understand everything written in the book.
As a result, I can say that I really liked the book and I can safely recommend it for reading to everyone who is interested in a similar topic. For myself personally, I learned several useful quotes that stuck in my soul.
******
Phobia Relief
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Kalliope Barlis' "Phobia Relief" presents a thorough and considerate approach to conquering phobias and anxiety disorders. As a licensed psychologist, Barlis employs her vast knowledge in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to offer actionable methods for handling fear.
To kick off the book, the author provides an introduction to the fight-or-flight response and how it can lead to phobia development when it malfunctions. Barlis proceeds by presenting her own method of gradually confronting feared situations, known as the "Fear Ladder" approach. She offers comprehensive instructions on how to create a ladder that involves taking incremental steps towards facing one's fears. The ladder typically starts with addressing a minor fear and progresses to the most daunting scenario, serving as a form of exposure therapy.
Throughout Phobia Relief, there is a prominent theme that centers on taking charge of one's anxiety by utilizing logical thinking and mindfulness. Barlis offers effective techniques for cognitive restructuring that aid in confronting irrational fears and substituting them with more pragmatic evaluations. Additionally, she highlights the significance of relaxation practices such as deep breathing and visualization.
The latter half of the book employs the Fear Ladder method to tackle prevalent fears such as acrophobia, aviophobia, zoophobia, germophobia, and social phobia. Each chapter details the symptoms and origins of the particular fear, and subsequently provides practical measures for overcoming it. The chapter on social anxiety is especially noteworthy, as it offers a comprehensive guide to conquering fears through gradual exposure, including but not limited to becoming more assertive and speaking in public.
With unwavering empathy, Barlis infuses her book with uplifting guidance and relatable anecdotes from her past patients. Her writing style is assertive and hopeful, serving as both a nurturing mentor and a resolute leader. Without any technical language, Phobia Relief speaks to both professionals in the field and the everyday reader. For anyone grappling with anxiety, this pragmatic guide is an indispensable tool.
The book is also useful in that at the end there are additional exercises that you can do yourself in order to develop the skills that were mentioned above in the book in various chapters. There is also a glossary so that those who are not closely familiar with psychological terms can easily familiarize themselves with them and fully understand everything written in the book.
As a result, I can say that I really liked the book and I can safely recommend it for reading to everyone who is interested in a similar topic. For myself personally, I learned several useful quotes that stuck in my soul.
******
Phobia Relief
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: When Business Is Love by Jan Ryde
