COGNITIVE THERAPY AND THE EMOTIONAL DISORDERS
337 Pages
Aaron T. Beck, M.D.
Meridian Books, 1979

Presents the concept that a person's psychological difficulties stem from erroneous assumptions, faulty concepts of himself/herself, and of the world. The author puts forth the idea that such a person can be helped to recognize and correct distortions in thinking that cause emotional disturbance.

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Learn the meaning of hidden messages.
• Identify automatic thoughts
• Identify the roles of sadness, anger and anxiety
• Explain how to understand and overcome phobias and depression
• Explain how the cognitive system of therapy can be applied to specific problems

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
358 Pages
By Daniel Goleman, Ph.D.
Bantam Dell, 2006

By the author of Social Intelligence, in this book he presents the concept that emotional intelligence can be nurtured and strengthened throughout adulthood with benefits to health, relationships, and work. He takes the position that self-awareness, self-discipline, and empathy add up to a different way of being smart.

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Explain the concept of Emotional Intelligence
• Explain the purpose of emotion
• Explain the importance of emotions in diseases/recovery
• Identify 7 key ingredients of how a child learns

THE EMOTIONAL SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR CAREGIVERS
Barry J. Jacobs, Psy.D
The Guilford Press, 2006
261 Pages

While this book is directed at caregiving for aging parents, the advice is applicable to virtually all caregiving. The book is organized around the story of a caregiving family and its cancer-ridden matriarch.


Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Define Commitments One Can Live With
• Identify Sources of Emotional Support and Hands-On-Help
• Discuss the Challenge of the Hope for Recovery and the Acceptance of Reality. 

FAMILY FIRST
276 Pages
Dr. Phillip C. McGraw, Ph.D.
Free Press, 2004

Presents the concept that "family" is more important today than in generations past and that its erosion is unacceptable. The author begins by telling the reader what to stop doing, and what to start doing so that competing messages and influences are drowned out. He defines "success" regarding families and discusses the steps to create and claim it.

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Explain the different parenting styles
• Explain the tools for purposeful parenting
• Explain special strategies for divorced and blended families

THE HEART OF COUNSELING
A Guide to Developing Therapeutic Relationships
279 Pages
Jeff L. Cochran, Ph.D., and Nancy Cochran, M.A., 2006

The authors present skills for building positive therapeutic relationships, rather than techniques focusing on behavior change. Concrete and detailed steps for creating these relationships which help clients change in positive, measurable, and practical ways, are discussed.

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to discuss:

• The importance of deep therapeutic relationships
• The value of each counselor's self-development
• How to implement the skills leading to becoming an excellent counselor

HOW TO RAISE YOUR SELF-ESTEEM
166 Pages
Nathaniel Branden-Bantam Books  1991

This offering builds on the concepts presented in The Psychology of Self-Esteem, by the same author.  The difference between low self-esteem and high self-esteem is the difference between passivity and action, between failure and success.  Effective techniques are presented:

• Breaking free from negative self-concept/self-defeating behavior.
• Dissolving internal barriers to success in work and love
• Overcoming anxiety, depression, guilt, and anger

NEW
HOW WE DECIDE
By Jonah Lehrer
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Co., 2009
259 Pages

The author presents information about the discoveries of neuroscience and how they help make the best decisions. Scientists are finding that the best decisions are made with a blend of feeling and reason, with the mix being dependent on the situation. The goal of the author is to answer two questions: How does the human mind make decisions? And, how can the decisions be made better?

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Discuss how neuroscience has helped explain
  how the brain makes decisions
• Explain how Reason and Emotion blend together
  in the decision-making process
• Discuss how different parts of the brain are used
  in decision-making.

PLANNING FOR UNCERTAINTY
Living Wills and Other Advance Directives
by David John Doukas, M.D. , and William Reichel, M.D.
Johns Hopkins University Press, 2nd Edition, 2007.
124 Pages

People of all ages need to document and communicate clear decisions about the final details of their lives -- when they are healthy. This book will help individuals provide this information to caregivers and family members. A question-and-answer format helps to guide one through this process.

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to explain:

• Advance Directives
• The Healthcare Decision-Making Process
• The Patient Self-Determination Act

REAL LIFE
Preparing for the 7 Most Challenging Days of Your Life
319 Pages
Dr. Phillip C. McGraw, Ph.D.
Free Press, 2008

The book has identified 7 life challenging issues in peoples' lives. The purpose of the book is to assist in preparing for these crises. The book includes audits, or self-appraisal questionnaires regarding these challenging issues.

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Name the 7 most challenging days in a person's life
• Explain how to change one's life before there are crises
• Explain how fear dictates one's choices - and what to do about it.

THE SIX PILLARS OF SELF-ESTEEM
341 Pages
Nathaniel Branden, 1995

• Six action-based practices for daily living
• Simple exercises for increasing personal awareness and effectiveness
• The importance of self-esteem in the workforce, parenting, education, psychotherapy, and society

SOCIAL INTELLIGENCE
The New Science of Human Relationships
By Daniel Goleman, Ph. D.
Hutchinson, 2006
334 Pages

This book presents highly readable exploration of the best research avaliable by modern psychologists and educators. The author contends that people are designed for sociability and are "connected", brain-to-brain, with others. He suggests that people can "catch" others' emotions in the way that a cold is "catchy". He also discusses the dark side of social intelligence.

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Identify the Positive and Negative Aspects of Social Intelligence
• Explain how People are Designed for Sociability
• Explain "Mindsight"

NEW
WOMEN UNDER THE INFLUENCE
The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University
The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2006
194 Pages

A variety of substance abuses and their effect on women are presented in this far-reaching study. Many facets of the effects of substance abuse are presented from the teen-age years to the mature, adult female. Topics include smoking, alcohol, prescription and illicit drugs, pregnancy and substance abuse, and mental health/illness. It concludes with information on getting over the influence, and treatment for the abuses.

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Explain the unique reasons that girls and women smoke and abuse alcohol and drugs
• Discuss the key warning signs of addiction
• Explain options for prevention/treatment