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Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Simple Path to Healing, Hope, and Peace
A practicing psychologist—one of the top popularizers of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)—offers a fresh, welcome approach for treating mental health issues that speaks to our times, blending mindfulness and spirituality with CBT to effectively overcome negative thinking, achieve deep healing, and truly attain lasting peace.
Mental health professionals have many science-based techniques for alleviating symptoms like anxiety and depression. However, these reductive approaches often don’t deliver the lasting peace we long for. Practicing psychologist and one of the top popularizers of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dr. Seth Gillihan believes we need to do more than relieve our symptoms to become healthy and whole. To achieve long-lasting health and well-being, we must embrace the spiritual in our healing.
Gillihan’s mindful cognitive behavioral therapy method blends insights from CBT, mindfulness, Stoicism, and Christian mysticism into the therapeutic process. He reveals how we can use this method in our daily lives to master negative thoughts and choose the right actions to become fully present and at peace.
This extraordinary guide teaches us how to retrain our minds to banish the stubborn lies we tell ourselves and adapt new healthful and spiritual practices that can help us focus on the deep truths of our existence—that we are perfect in our imperfections, and most important, that we are beings deserving of love.
Mental health professionals have many science-based techniques for alleviating symptoms like anxiety and depression. However, these reductive approaches often don’t deliver the lasting peace we long for. Practicing psychologist and one of the top popularizers of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dr. Seth Gillihan believes we need to do more than relieve our symptoms to become healthy and whole. To achieve long-lasting health and well-being, we must embrace the spiritual in our healing.
Gillihan’s mindful cognitive behavioral therapy method blends insights from CBT, mindfulness, Stoicism, and Christian mysticism into the therapeutic process. He reveals how we can use this method in our daily lives to master negative thoughts and choose the right actions to become fully present and at peace.
This extraordinary guide teaches us how to retrain our minds to banish the stubborn lies we tell ourselves and adapt new healthful and spiritual practices that can help us focus on the deep truths of our existence—that we are perfect in our imperfections, and most important, that we are beings deserving of love.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 6, 2022
156 people are currently reading
543 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 12, 2025
A brief masterpiece of hopeful cognitive re-training
September 21, 2024
There was a lot of good in this book. The author was raised Pentecostal Christian and now aligns his beliefs with secular Buddhism. I really appreciate his emphasis on mindfulness. Cognitive behavioral therapy makes a lot of sense to me. Adding the idea of being fully present in the moment is a helpful therapy tool. Many of us spend a lot of our mental energy regretting things in the past or dreading things in the future. Left unchecked, our mind is a 24/7 factory of anxiety and guilt. To divert the stream, we must start at the source. For Seth, he believes he is enough and finds comfort and meaning in a greater sense of self. For me, I believe that God is enough, and when he looks at me, he sees a beloved child. Grounding ourselves in prayer, meditation, and being wholly present fortifies our resting place in God. This book was a helpful reminder of that, even if that wasn’t what he was saying.
May 7, 2023
Adult Nonfiction
Psychology
Mental Health
I picked this up randomly from my library from their nonfiction new releases because I had heard CBT mentioned several times and May (Mental Health Month) was the perfect time to dig in to learn more about it.
CBT is basically a 'change your thoughts' approach to dealing with anxiety, depression, etc.
The first half of this book seemed rather helpful (if you don't mind the 'change your thoughts and everything will be better' approach) but it soon moved into Christian mysticism, which is not my thing at all. Thankfully, the religious bits weren't saturated through the first half of the book, but at the same time, I sometimes enjoy when authors add that in the beginning so I know if I want to back out or not. I listened to this in its entirety anyway.
The author put a lot of his own struggles into the book and related how they overcame those struggles, making it quite insightful.
Psychology
Mental Health
I picked this up randomly from my library from their nonfiction new releases because I had heard CBT mentioned several times and May (Mental Health Month) was the perfect time to dig in to learn more about it.
CBT is basically a 'change your thoughts' approach to dealing with anxiety, depression, etc.
The first half of this book seemed rather helpful (if you don't mind the 'change your thoughts and everything will be better' approach) but it soon moved into Christian mysticism, which is not my thing at all. Thankfully, the religious bits weren't saturated through the first half of the book, but at the same time, I sometimes enjoy when authors add that in the beginning so I know if I want to back out or not. I listened to this in its entirety anyway.
The author put a lot of his own struggles into the book and related how they overcame those struggles, making it quite insightful.
April 27, 2023
4 Stars- Lots of great tips for practicing mindfulness in your life.
January 3, 2023
I discovered this book from Angela Duckworth's recommendations and was instantly hooked after the first few sections. Rather than coming off as a typical psychology textbook, this book, without exaggeration, completely changed my view of therapy and its transformative role in one's life.
Cultivating mindful awareness and presence, in consistency with the principles of CBT, is the central concept of this book. I appreciate how the book is not prescriptive; rather, it provides a framework to perceive and acknowledge one's core beliefs as one seeks to understand their struggles in life. The short anecdotes of Dr. Gillihan, along with his patients, bring so much life and compelling honesty to these principles.
The themes on spirituality may not resonate with some (in how it is presented), but I think there is a universal message here that is worth reflecting on! Truly a life-giving and uplifting book for all times of our lives.
Cultivating mindful awareness and presence, in consistency with the principles of CBT, is the central concept of this book. I appreciate how the book is not prescriptive; rather, it provides a framework to perceive and acknowledge one's core beliefs as one seeks to understand their struggles in life. The short anecdotes of Dr. Gillihan, along with his patients, bring so much life and compelling honesty to these principles.
The themes on spirituality may not resonate with some (in how it is presented), but I think there is a universal message here that is worth reflecting on! Truly a life-giving and uplifting book for all times of our lives.
October 30, 2022
Especially after the pandemic, many individuals suffer from anxiety and depression. One treatment methodology utilized to treat these conditions, is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Psychologist Dr. Seth Gillihan has developed this book intended to help readers deal with anxiety and its symptoms such as: anxiety, depression, and anger. The following skills are targeted and provided in an easy to understand format: behavioral activation, challenging maladaptive thinking patterns, and learning mindfulness. This book can used by a reader as an individual practice or it can be used on conjunction with ongoing therapy. The concepts are easily understood and clearly explained by Dr. Gillihan. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to combat symptoms of anxiety and depression. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 27, 2023
I had high hopes for this book, but they were largely unfulfilled. The book is an examination of marrying mindfulness and CBT with the author’s sudden chronic disease as an ever present backdrop. Part of my problem with the book may be that I feel I have a solid grasp of mindfulness while my knowledge of CBT is much more limited. Unfortunately for me, it felt like Gillingham went to great lengths to explain mindfulness while assuming the reader already had a grasp of CBT. The book’s main message of Think, Act, Be (it should really be Be, Think, Act based on the methods described in the book) seems like a good one. I did find actionable advice, and some of the stories were compelling. However, a lot of the advice felt like platitudes and there wasn’t a comprehensive notes section pointing to strong supporting evidence for the non obvious statements.
February 27, 2023
“Few things are more empowering than seeing how our pain transformed us into a new creation that could only have been built from the broken pieces of our life” (134).
The quote above exemplifies the entire essence of this heartfelt book. More than self-help, this book is part memoir for Seth Gillian, PhD, who describes his own path to healing emotional and physical pain using mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy. His simple formula is Think. Act. Be. He makes mindfulness accessible for the rest of us.
This book reminded me of the also spectacular 10% Happier by Dan Harris.
The quote above exemplifies the entire essence of this heartfelt book. More than self-help, this book is part memoir for Seth Gillian, PhD, who describes his own path to healing emotional and physical pain using mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy. His simple formula is Think. Act. Be. He makes mindfulness accessible for the rest of us.
This book reminded me of the also spectacular 10% Happier by Dan Harris.
October 24, 2023
“Mindfulness is a relationship with the unfiltered experience of being”
“Mindfulness changes our relationship w the experience, not necessarily the experience itself”
Mindful CBT is such an interesting fusion of things I’ve been reading (psych, Buddhist philosophy, vipassana meditation)
“Mindfulness changes our relationship w the experience, not necessarily the experience itself”
Mindful CBT is such an interesting fusion of things I’ve been reading (psych, Buddhist philosophy, vipassana meditation)
March 2, 2023
Simple, practical, profound.
January 30, 2024
Yes, “mindfulness” is one of those 2020s buzzwords. But there are some things to commend it.
In Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Simply Path to Healing, Hope, and Peace, Dr. Seth Gillihan tells his personal story regarding the application of the cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques he would encourage and practice with his own clients in his own life and the benefits which he received.
The author explains what CBT and mindfulness are; he advocates for the pattern of “Think, Act, Be” in regards to one’s practice of mindful CBT. He explains and applies how think, act, and be works in terms of CBT mindfulness in various domains of life: how one looks at oneself and one’s efforts; in appreciating one’s world; in considering one’s body; in relationships; in seeking rest; in work; and in living a life of thankfulness and purpose.
This is a useful resource; a lot of what he says is what a therapist would try to guide you into recognizing for yourself in these various aspects of life. The author does speak of his faith journey from a fundamentalist Christian upbringing to “secular Buddhism” to some kind of reconciliation with at least some of the core principles of Christianity; throughout he will present various points of connection between the principles established herein and religious instruction and encouragement.
With appropriate regard for concerns about making too much of the self, most of what he has to say is in alignment with Christian principles. We should live in thankfulness and gratitude. We should not take what we have for granted. We do well to consider ourselves, our bodies, relationships, etc. in mindfulness with gratitude before God. We should resist negative self-talk while confessing the likely Satanic/demonic influences which would aggravate such negative self-talk. We do need to rest.
Thus one can gain many benefits from incorporating mindful practices and much of cognitive behavioral therapy in one’s life in faith. There are plenty of antecedents for such things in the faith. Yet it all should be done to the glory of God in Christ while conscious of how the self will often magnify itself beyond its proper station.
In Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Simply Path to Healing, Hope, and Peace, Dr. Seth Gillihan tells his personal story regarding the application of the cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques he would encourage and practice with his own clients in his own life and the benefits which he received.
The author explains what CBT and mindfulness are; he advocates for the pattern of “Think, Act, Be” in regards to one’s practice of mindful CBT. He explains and applies how think, act, and be works in terms of CBT mindfulness in various domains of life: how one looks at oneself and one’s efforts; in appreciating one’s world; in considering one’s body; in relationships; in seeking rest; in work; and in living a life of thankfulness and purpose.
This is a useful resource; a lot of what he says is what a therapist would try to guide you into recognizing for yourself in these various aspects of life. The author does speak of his faith journey from a fundamentalist Christian upbringing to “secular Buddhism” to some kind of reconciliation with at least some of the core principles of Christianity; throughout he will present various points of connection between the principles established herein and religious instruction and encouragement.
With appropriate regard for concerns about making too much of the self, most of what he has to say is in alignment with Christian principles. We should live in thankfulness and gratitude. We should not take what we have for granted. We do well to consider ourselves, our bodies, relationships, etc. in mindfulness with gratitude before God. We should resist negative self-talk while confessing the likely Satanic/demonic influences which would aggravate such negative self-talk. We do need to rest.
Thus one can gain many benefits from incorporating mindful practices and much of cognitive behavioral therapy in one’s life in faith. There are plenty of antecedents for such things in the faith. Yet it all should be done to the glory of God in Christ while conscious of how the self will often magnify itself beyond its proper station.
August 2, 2024
This is a good book to follow “Retrain your brain: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy in 7 weeks” by the same author. Gillihan builds on his CBT framework with the addition of mindfulness. He notes that in all his years practicing CBT he felt something was missing and that missing part is mindfulness and the connection to the Divine. He points out: “Coming home is reconnecting with what’s in you,” and “The Divine is within us and nothing will be able to separate us from God”. Once our eyes are open to the love around us nothing can change that. It’s about coming home to the spirit within you that connects you to the Divine. There are also some good patient stories in this book that will resonate with many. Would recommend.
June 9, 2023
I only listened to this book because I saw it on a shelf at the library. I didn't even like it at first, but I soon discovered that Dr. Gillihan had a lot of wise advice. The combination of mindfulness and CBT works very well and can lead to amazing results. I was so convinced of the value of mindfulness in all our activities that I immediately reduced my screen time by eliminating my habit of playing Wordle and Spelling Bee every morning. I had to admit that playing those games did not really contribute much to my life. Now I am more present to whatever the morning brings. I went ahead and bought the book because I want to share it with others.
January 30, 2025
TAB, CBT, Acronymism
Can't say as this was a revelation or I gleaned any huge step forward from it. Sure it reaffirmed some behaviours that go back to my childhood, standards my Mum &Dad set and taught us. Treat people like you would want to be treated, use your eyes, ears and mouth in the proportion you have them, be kind, pay attention when people are talking to you. Don't think either of my parents had ever heard of CBT let alone, Mindfulness, being present and all of these other phrases that seem to be high profile today. Sorry but old fashion values and responses have been around a very long while.
Can't say as this was a revelation or I gleaned any huge step forward from it. Sure it reaffirmed some behaviours that go back to my childhood, standards my Mum &Dad set and taught us. Treat people like you would want to be treated, use your eyes, ears and mouth in the proportion you have them, be kind, pay attention when people are talking to you. Don't think either of my parents had ever heard of CBT let alone, Mindfulness, being present and all of these other phrases that seem to be high profile today. Sorry but old fashion values and responses have been around a very long while.
February 12, 2023
This is a very readable primer for anyone who is interested in CBT and Mindfulness. He ties the two together very nicely, without using any jargon. It is helpful that he brings examples from the difficulties he experienced in his own life. There are short suggested practices that are easy to do. This is a book for people who are not familiar with either mindfulness or CBT.
November 21, 2024
Interesting and engaging, definitely worth the read. A lot of basic truths but it was good to hear the how and why they work into Mindfulness and CBT in a comprehensive manner, and I found his take on spirituality to be an interesting one since it was a mix of Christianity and Buddhism.
November 26, 2024
Meh. I thought I would get more techniques out of this book. Instead, I got a lot of surface-level stories and a half-baked organizational structure in “think act be” that never fully worked. This was disappointing.
December 15, 2024
I highly recommend Seth Gillihan's M-CBT course on the Waking Up app for a much more refined version of this.
The book was pretty good, but I found his sessions in the Waking Up series to be incredible. It's essentially the same content, but the book is older and longer. Both are great!
The book was pretty good, but I found his sessions in the Waking Up series to be incredible. It's essentially the same content, but the book is older and longer. Both are great!
December 15, 2024
I highly recommend Seth Gillihan's M-CBT course on the Waking Up app for a much more refined version of this.
The book was pretty good, but I found his sessions in the Waking Up series to be incredible. They're both essentially the same content, but the book is older and longer. Both are great!
The book was pretty good, but I found his sessions in the Waking Up series to be incredible. They're both essentially the same content, but the book is older and longer. Both are great!
March 30, 2023
Haven’t read nonfiction for awhile and this was better than most. I feel like I understand cognitive behavior therapy a little better now.
July 9, 2023
This is one of the better books I've read in the wild that gives practical advice for your mind and life habits to have more peace and joy.
August 23, 2023
Helpful and real tips for the healing, hope and peace the title states. Just very boring and bland to me.
December 2, 2023
Compassionate, clear, (en)couraging. I listened to the audiobook, but I think I am going to pick up a hard copy so I have it on hand to refer to when I need it.
March 2, 2024
3.5 stars.
March 31, 2024
This book got me through some rough times this winter
January 10, 2023
What a brilliant book this is. I got it from the library to skim but promptly returned to the beginning and read. The chapter on sleep is amazing. I certainly will recommend to friends and colleagues alike.
February 24, 2023
Insightful, personal, practical, avoids cliches. Just a delight to read
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews