Feeling Great
by Dr. David D. Burns
Summary
A modern follow-up to the classic 'Feeling Good', presenting Dr. Burns's TEAM-CBT method for rapidly identifying and reframing the cognitive distortions that drive depression and anxiety.
Who it's for
Anyone experiencing persistent low mood, self-criticism, or anxiety who wants a structured, workbook-style approach grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy.
Key takeaways
- Our thoughts — not events themselves — generate most of our emotional reactions.
- Ten common cognitive distortions (like all-or-nothing thinking and mind reading) can be identified and systematically challenged.
- Rapid mood shifts are possible when distorted thoughts are examined with structured, written techniques rather than willpower alone.
Dr. David Burns, a pioneer of cognitive behavioral therapy, built on his bestselling Feeling Good to create Feeling Great — a workbook centered on his TEAM-CBT model (Testing, Empathy, Agenda Setting, and Methods).
The book’s core premise is straightforward but powerful: it’s rarely the situation itself that creates suffering, but the specific thoughts we have about it. By learning to spot distorted thinking patterns — such as catastrophizing, mind reading, or “should” statements — readers can systematically test those thoughts against evidence and reduce their emotional intensity.
What sets this book apart is its emphasis on measurement and structure. Rather than vague encouragement to “think positive,” it provides concrete worksheets for tracking mood before and after applying specific techniques, which makes progress visible and motivating.
Available on Amazon
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