This is a valuable resource for everyone. I was unfamiliar to schema therapy but knew CBT basics going in. This was a great refresher in some aspects but it also helped to solidify concepts through helpful exercises.

As someone who has struggled with dysfunctional coping mechanisms, I can't recommend the book Your Coping Skills Aren't Working enough. This groundbreaking guide offers an innovative approach to breaking free from the cycle of negative thoughts and behaviors that have kept me stuck for far too long.

The book draws on a range of evidence-based therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), schema therapy, and attachment theory to help readers understand the maladaptive coping styles they developed in childhood. By delving into the origins of these coping mechanisms, the book provides readers with valuable insight into why they developed these habits and, more importantly, how to change them.

One of the most significant benefits of this guide is that it offers readers powerful strategies for giving voice to their unmet needs. This is a crucial step in the healing process, as many of us have learned to silence our inner selves in order to survive. By learning to cultivate clarity, security, and confidence in ourselves and what we need, we can finally break free from these self-sabotaging patterns and move towards a happier, more fulfilling life.

What I love about this book is how accessible it is. The writing is clear, concise, and engaging, and the author's tone is friendly and non-judgmental. This makes it an ideal resource for anyone looking to break free from the habits that have been holding them back.

All in all, I would highly recommend Your Coping Skills Aren't Working to anyone who is struggling to overcome dysfunctional coping patterns. It offers a wealth of valuable insights and practical strategies that can truly transform your life.

I had never heard of 'Schema Therapy' before reading this book, but wow am I now very interested. The author does a wonderful job diving into the subject in a gentle and easy way, introducing you to various aspects of the concept itself, and helping you get to know more about...well, you. The idea is looking within to find the hurt child from your past, and guide your current coping skills towards a more productive and healthy direction. We did what we could to deal with our traumas and troubles in our childhood, but now those methods no longer serve us as adults. The author tells us to take charge of the angers, fears, judgements, and general negativity that scream to be acknowledged, listen to them, and then become a kind healthy adult to nurture that hurt and pain within you.

The author's writing style has such appeal to me. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect going into this book, but the kindness and thoughtfulness of the author really struck me. I've read a few self-help books by now, and this is a rare one where I not only felt like the author was talking to me, but genuinely cared about me, acknowledged my pain, and wanted to help me help myself. It's very approachable and easy to understand, with bite-sized sections to read and digest. There is definitely no rush when it comes to this book, and I like that the author gives suggestions for how long to take with something.

There were plenty of examples and explanations, and the exercises really tied everything together. While the general idea of journaling and what-not isn't new or profound, it's popular for a reason--it's effective, and the author's approach of how to use your journal is certainly new to me. While you can work with this book on your own, I do, like the author, also suggest working alongside a professional if you can. The author provides a free downloadable worksheet to go along with the book, and included a few in the book as well.

"If you have been accustomed to certain kinds of triggered emotions for most of your life, it can feel odd to go through your week less triggered."
There are a lot of things mentioned in here by the author that I'm so glad they address, the above being one in specific that had me screaming in my head, "YES! YES!" The author does a really great job catching little nuances that readers might be feeling at various points in the book, and I appreciate that they are covering so many bases, so more people can feel heard and validated.

I say this as a compliment--the author really holds your hand as you read through this, and I think that's so important. When people come into these topics vulnerable, it's so nice to see the patience and care given to them. The explanations and wording are very kind and thoughtful. And for any LGBT+ or BIPOC readers, there is acknowledgement of the unique struggles these communities face too. The author is very inclusive, which I appreciated. Very rarely, if ever, do I see that in general self-help books.

I was really taken aback by this book, it's very well done, and I'm grateful I had the opportunity to read it. If you're looking for a more unique approach to self-help, this one may be worth considering. :)

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for giving me an advance copy of this book.

This is an incredible resource for everyone. Everyone has coping skills they have developed throughout their life, especially in childhood. I found the description of different Schemas and their origins helpful and informative. It has helped me understand my self, my relationships, and communication as a whole in a better way.

Thanks to New Harbinger Publications, Inc. and NetGalley for the advanced readers copy.

This book introduces the reader to schema therapy. It's filled with actual, therapeutic exercises to work through, while explaining the rationale behind them. I had never heard of schema therapy before reading this book. I definitely understand how it could be beneficial. FYI: This book is not intended to be read in one or two sittings.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley .

Let me start by saying that self-help style books aren't my things. I typically don't believe in what they're preaching, and to be honest, the books almost always bore me.. to the point that I DNF them. BUT the title of this one caught my eye immediately. Because you know what? You're right book man. My coping skills are not working.

While I cannot say this book blew my mind or was ground-breaking for me, I CAN say I got through the entire book in a fairly short time. AND I did learn some useful things from it.

Worth the read for me..

Richard Brouillette's groundbreaking book, "Your Coping Skills Aren't Working," sheds light on how the coping mechanisms we adopt in childhood, often in response to trauma or stress, can become counterproductive in adulthood. Drawing from the latest research in cognitive behavioral therapy, schema therapy, and attachment theory, this innovative guide provides a path to breaking free from self-defeating habits that keep us trapped in negative patterns of thought and behavior. Through practical exercises and insightful guidance, readers will gain the tools to identify their maladaptive coping patterns, uncover the reasons behind them, and develop new, healthier ways of responding to life's challenges. With this book as a guide, readers can learn to articulate their unmet needs, build clarity and confidence, and overcome the past to reach their fullest potential.

It helped me understand the form of therapy you do better. I have just heard about it before. However, I am a visual person. Knowing that I am a visual person, the images you created in my mind really helped me.

I was unfamiliar with the psychotherapeutic model of Scheme Therapy until I read this book. While the terminology and structural elements of the process were new to me, the techniques of expressive writing (journaling), imagery work, and dialoging with inner aspects of self were very familiar from a variety of psychological/spiritual sources and modalities. What makes the Schema model so helpful is its context and author’s clear delineation of self-administered exercises.

Basically, schemas form when some of our core emotional needs are not met between the ages of birth and 5 years old. These “snapshots” of experience become the basis for how we come to believe the world works and evolve into patterns of behavior (modes) over the next five years as we socialize. As these modes get reinforced, the coping skills fostered to protect ourselves at a tender, vulnerable age, may become increasingly problematic in our adult lives. Even when we recognize the need for change, these schemas and modes can activate internal resistance to the well-intentioned change, keeping us stuck in dysfunctional behavioral patterns.

The author outlines 18 different schema and provides a means to identify personal schema by assessing three different data points: what the inner voice says, how it is expressed in daily life, and the connection to a childhood experience. The core practice in addressing these schemas is the development of a healthy, caring adult mode; in essence creating the ability to reparent oneself to meet basic emotional needs.

The content is laid out in an easy-to-read, logical format. The exercises provide opportunities to support awareness and behavioral change. My one comment is that if one is just beginning on a journey of self- discovery, a therapeutic relationship with a professional may be needed to work through deep issues that may arise and feel overwhelming.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

Break Free from Negative Coping Habits

"Your Coping Skills Aren't Working" by Richard Brouillette is an insightful and innovative guidebook that takes a unique approach to helping individuals overcome maladaptive coping habits that prevent them from living their best lives. The author presents a compelling argument that our coping styles are often the result of traumatic or stressful experiences during childhood, and he offers evidence-based strategies grounded in CBT, schema therapy, and attachment theory to help readers break free from self-sabotaging behaviors and negative thought patterns.

The book begins with an introduction on how to talk oneself into change, followed by chapters that explore various aspects of dysfunctional coping styles, including self-esteem issues, unmet core emotional needs, schemas, modes, and healthy caring adult mode. Each chapter includes exercises and strategies to help readers identify and change their negative coping patterns.

One of the strengths of this book is the author's ability to explain complex psychological concepts in a clear and easy-to-understand way. The book is also highly practical, with numerous exercises and real-world examples that illustrate the concepts and strategies presented in each chapter.

The only weakness of this book is that some readers may find it overly focused on childhood experiences and may struggle to relate the concepts presented to their current lives. However, this is a minor criticism, as the book offers valuable insights and strategies that can be applied to a wide range of personal growth and self-improvement goals.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is struggling with self-sabotaging behaviors, negative thought patterns, and low self-esteem.

It is also a valuable resource for mental health professionals who are looking for evidence-based strategies to help their clients overcome maladaptive coping habits.

I would give this book a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Your Coping Skills Aren't Working by Richard Brouillette included great exercises and was easy to read. The author presented practical information, in-depth instructions, and thought-provoking exercises. I liked that there were links included where you could download worksheets.

The author introduced schema therapy, and the exercises and information identified the maladaptive coping patterns we have developed in childhood. The book helped the reader understand why we have developed these patterns and presented ways to learn how to change those destructive habits. The reader will discover powerful strategies to help give voice to their unmet needs and learn to cultivate clarity, security, and confidence in themselves and what they need.

The information was insightful and instructive.

#YourCopingSkillsArentWorking #NetGalley @NewHarbinger

I was interested in this book because I had no idea what schema therapy was, and I wanted to find out about it. What I learned was that none of the schemas really applied to me. I’m sure “normal” people would find it helpful , but I have Asperger’s, major depression, and anxiety. I understand that those are a whole different set of problems. People without significant mental health issues will find this book informative and useful to their lives.

A delightful and comprehensive introduction to schema therapy with ample explanation to each concept, sufficing examples to ensure understanding, and helpful exercises at the end of each chapter to assist the reader in identifying, processing, and ultimately overcoming their obsolete coping mechanisms or schemas by exchanging their self-sabotaging behaviour for healthy coping and a better understanding of themselves. One thing that I have particularly loved about the book was the author's considerate and beginner-friendly approach to the topic. All in all, Your Coping Skills Aren't Working is an informative, well paced, and a skillfully executed book. I highly recommend.

I read this book the whole day as I was desperately looking for a book that covers cues given by our body; discussions on emotions and cognitive with behavioural issues as a complete topic put together.
I am so glad I got the advance reading copy. Thank you, New Harbinger and the author.

I like how insightful this book is starting from its guide on what to expect from the book, how to make the book practical for those who need it and the basic tools we would learn from it.

The book is based on a technique called Schema Therapy which is quite new to me. The contents explains the concept well; where and how it can be applied and which aspects it covers that could interest anyone.

This book is quite helpful for someone like me who feels tried most days but stay up late most nights trying to deal with my own emotions and making decisions on how to cope certain situations I faced so far.

Flanked with enough examples, experience and references a good read for anyone who wants to know about what our body is trying to tell us, how our emotions affect us. Spotlight on the chapter with “core emotional needs” which I find quite informative and helpful.

Quite informative and insightful, take your time. Try to know yourself better while reading this book.

Focusing on schemes and modes, this book offers a supportive and encouraging approach to challenging the coping skills learnt as children that are no longer helpful in adult life. I would recommend this book to anyone who feels the content would be helpful or them to try, but for those who recognise themselves as traumatised or suffering from severe mental health difficulties I would suggest working through the book with the help of a therapist. I especially enjoyed the aspects on the coping child, difficult coping, and inner critic sub-categories. They were helpful and explained well. I am grateful to the publisher and NetGalley to have had the opportunity to read this ARC.