I agree with the previous reviewer - this book offers a thoughtful, realistic process for understanding and deciphering emotions so we can manage them in constructive, helpful ways that make a difference in how we feel and behave. I really appreciated Dr. Solie's explanation of the difference between "positive thinking" and "helpful thinking." That insight alone is huge for us individually and in our relationships with others, as we seek to support and encourage. Whether you struggle with occasional situations that try your patience, bring on a blue mood or worry you - or whether you are struggling with a longer-term challenge, including depression - I highly recommend this book as a do-able, practical tool that will help you move forward in gaining control over your emotions instead of them controlling you. She also has an excellent section on managing anger that every reader will relate to. Her examples are true to life and cover a range of situations - you will see yourself in more than one story! Dr. Solie is very clear that to see results we have to apply ourselves to the Seven Steps writing process - it isn't magic just because we read the book or try to think our way forward. The results come because we commit to working it through. I plan to try the Seven Steps myself.

Seven Steps to Overcoming Depression, Anxiety, and Anger

For many people suffer from depression and anxiety, this book is a useful guide, set up in an organized system, to help these sufferers. The seven steps are:

1. Describe the situation

2. Identify Your Feelings

3. Uncover the Unhelpful self-talk

4. Predict the Behavior

5. Choose Helpful self-talk

6. Select the feelings

7. Predict the new behavior

Dr. Solie includes lists of emotions; words to help readers identify their feelings by name. Having identified the problem(s), the next step is to write about the possible consequences, putting worries on the page. Having expressed the feelings and the worry, an outcome is predicted. (e.g. "I will fail")

After writing out the possible dire consequences and predicting disaster, the next step is a re-write, using helpful "self-talk" to replace discouraging, defeated or anxious language. Listing some suggestions and a plan of action empowers the person to take action, taking control of events. Other helpful lists include ideas for activities that include others and some to do alone. The system and lists are good coping skills that can become a joyful way of life.

The key to making this system successful is constant writing. We write letters to friends to keep in touch, why not do the same for ourselves? Often, seeing words written helps clarify what has been elusive. Following the steps and corresponding faithfully with oneself is to be seen as an act of self-love.

Keeping Jesus Christ as our best friend and source of unconditional love will lead seekers to vanquish unproductive, self-defeating behaviors and choose newer and more joyful actions.

I was given a free copy of this book by Bethany House Publishers for the purpose of review. I am pleased to recommend it to adult and teenage readers.

Dr. Linda Solie has written a book that contains seven steps to overcoming depression, anxiety, and anger. In my opinion, when dealing with any of the above mentioned feelings/states of mind there is no quick fix in overcoming any of them. Dr. Solie provides readers with a roadmap so they can work through what they are feeling and she illustrates ways to overcome their feelings. I liked how it was noted in the book that there is a difference between positive thinking and helpful self-talk. Today it seems as though many people are saying, "Just think positive and it will all work out." Dr. Solie wisely paints a picture of Nora who is stuck in traffic that is not moving and she is ten miles away from a client. If she needs to meet her client in five minutes it will not benefit her to untruthfully speak that she will be there on time. A helpful way of dealing with this situation may be for Nora to accept that she will not be on time and call the client and apologize. She can learn from this situation and leave a little earlier next time for an appointment.

This may be a good book for people who are willing to take the time to work through their thought process. Dr. Solie provides charts in this book that contain a situation, helpful and unhelpful self-talk, feelings and behavior. Everyone is different so while I think many will find this book useful there will be others who may be looking for more of a quick fix instead of a process.

*This book was provided by Bethany House for my honest review.

Only read this book if you are really interested in working on how you handle your emotions. If you are not into it this book will read like a text book and not be interesting at all. I gave this book 4/5 stars. I thought the idea of the book was great and really feel like the author did a great job of laying out a plan of action for the reader. I did find parts of it to be too technical and not as practical as others. I think the book could have been shorter and more to the point but overall it will be helpful to those needing guidance.

I would like to thank the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading. I gave an honest review based on my opinion of what I read.

Well, first of all, I've had this book to review for so long now I almost forgot about it (sorry, Bethany House !) I did promise to give my honest opinions on it. I should preface this by saying that the following are my first impressions as I haven't thoroughly read the book (because of numerous reasons) .

I like how the author begins by mentioning three types of relationship that are important when it comes to mastering our emotions. One of them is a relationship with Jesus. The book starts off very interestingly. Dr Solie provides many examples to illustrate her point. Where I've stopped reading, the author is elaborating on the difference between positive thinking and helpful self-talk -- the former often being unrealistic and the latter more pragmatic according to her. It's a debatable point. I would think that self-talk is not always positive and or helpfuljust like positive thinking does not always equal coming up with far-fetched scenarios.

Overall, interesting book, so far. It sounds promising.

With thank to Bethany House for a copy of the book.