Lisburn woman’s book on depression launched at library

At the launch of their new book in Lisburn Library on depression and anxiety are the authors Colin Hughes, Joanne Younge, and Stephen Herron US5014-401PM Pic by Paul Murphy

‘CBT for Mild and Moderate Depression’ was also written by Stephen Herron a Senior Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist and Colin Hughes of the Belfast Trust.

The book is a training text book for health professionals, and is the the first to be written by practitioners in Northern Ireland.

It has received excellent reviews and sold out on Amazon on its first run.

Joanne, works as an Associate Specialist Old Age Psychiatrist and BABCP accredited CBT Psychotherapist in the NHS and is an Associate Lecturer on Postgraduate Diploma CBT (BABCP accredited training course) at Queen’s University.

She has also devised and delivered a brief CBT skills training package for a Mental Health Community Team and has a special interest in supervision.

The book provides information and support using evidence-based, low-intensity psychological treatments involving cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for mild to moderate mental illness.

Its main focus is on supporting the low-intensity worker (Psychological Well-Being Practitioner) with patient self-management.

The book closely mirrors the key components of assessment, therapeutic relationship, treatment of low mood, anxiety and panic, signposting and basic psychopharmacology.

“We are delighted that our book was number 5 in ‘hot new releases’ for books on depression on Amazon when it was published and sold out in its first week there,” said Joanne.

“As well as being accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) psychotherapists, we are all trainers in CBT at Queen’s University, and wrote this book as a jargon-free, easy to understand step by step guide for trainees and qualified mental health practitioners.

“CBT is a structured talking therapy that helps a person working together with the therapist gain a shared understanding of the relationship between how they think, behave and feel (emotionally and in their body) and help them to make changes to achieve their goals within an agreed timeframe.

“The most common treatment for depression/anxiety is medication but we strongly believe patients should be offered alternatives.

“CBT is the most evidence based talking therapy, recommended by national and regional guidelines for treatment of depression, and are passionate about improving patient access to this treatment choice, particularly at an early ‘low intensity’ stage.”