Your Life, Your Way

Gr 6 Up —This self-help guide provides step-by-step coping strategies for teens who struggle with social-emotional challenges. Based on acceptance and commitment therapy practices, the text identifies specific actions that will produce desired changes. Part one introduces viewpoint switching skills, which examine life challenges from different perspectives. Part two describes how to use the skills to solve common issues that most teens face on a daily basis. Topics include dealing with anxiety and depression, building relationships, managing bullying, creating a healthy online presence, and increasing self-confidence. Rather than reading all of part two, Ciarrochi and Hayes suggest studying the chapters that are the most personally relevant. Librarians should note that this interactive text offers blank lines, checklists, and charts to write answers to guided questions and reflection sections. Each chapter begins with an inspirational quote from a pop culture figure and ends with a summary. Humorous pen illustrations are featured throughout, and the use of subtitles and bullets keeps the somewhat complex content organized. The conversational, encouraging tone will put readers at ease. However, the many steps involved in the different strategies can be overwhelming. Those who are committed to reading closely and journaling thoughtful responses will get the most out of the text. Younger middle schoolers would benefit from guidance from parents or counselors while reading the book. The authors provide a link to their website with additional resources and videos. VERDICT Recommended for middle and high school libraries that need to expand their self-help sections.— Maile Steimer, Jones M.S., Buford, GA

“This self-help workbook offers practical interventions to help teens navigate their life journeys… Whimsical ink drawings, pithy quotations, and frequent use of humor enhance this handbook for healthy living. Be the change!” — Kirkus Reviews Published On: 2020-08-25

“Your Life, Your Way  takes a scientific model and makes it tangible and practical. Parents ought to buy this book for their teens. But, please parents, read it and try the exercises first. You might just change with your teens. Also, as a supervisor, I would certainly offer this book to trainees as a treatment outline. The structure is simple, direct, and flexible enough to fit real-world therapy.” — Kelly Wilson, PhD, professor emeritus at the University of Mississippi, founding president of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS), and coauthor of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

“The DNA-V model is a game changer; one of the most exciting third-wave interventions in years. This cool-looking book presents the model in a way that teens will love and find helpful.” — Ben Sedley, PhD, clinical psychologist, and author of Stuff That Sucks

“Your Life, Your Way  speaks authentically to young people setting out to figure out who and how they want to be. The authors’ DNA-V model is a practical, accessible framework that is clearly grounded in well-researched principles of behavior change, as well as adolescent development. With meaningful questions to ponder and exercises to build new skills, this book provides exceptional tools to guide teens throughout their life’s journey.” — Siri Ming, PhD, BCBA-D, behavior analyst, and coauthor of Using RFT to Promote Generative Language

“A unique, skillfully crafted tool kit for empowering young people, no matter what they are struggling with. This beautifully illustrated workbook shows young people that they are the person they have been waiting for—they have the power to transform and move their lives in a direction that sets their hearts on fire. I cannot think of a more perfect and timely resource for teens (and the adults who support them).” — Evelyn Gould, PhD, BCBA-D, clinical behavior analyst at the New England Center for OCD and Anxiety, and research associate at Harvard Medical School

“Adolescence is a time of discovery, of taking mindful risks, and of learning flexibility in the face of the uncertainty and adversity involved in growing up in our world as it is today. This book is a gift to adolescents and their parents, as well as clinicians, teachers, counselors, and coaches who work with them. Created by Joe Ciarriochi and Louise Hayes, this brilliant book based in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is just what every teen needs: a pragmatic, accessible, down-to-earth guide that will empower them to go out and live their way into their best lives. Sixteen-year-old me really, really loves this book, and highly recommends it!” — Lisa W. Coyne, PhD, assistant professor in the department of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School; founder of the New England Center for OCD and Anxiety in Boston, MA; and author of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

“Your Life, Your Way  is not only filled with thoughtful and valuable guidance, it is also filled with rich, textured, and fun images and exercises. It is the perfect book to aid teenagers in relating to their emotions in an effective fashion. It is ideal for helping them build resiliency. I was wonderfully captured by each page. Ciarrochi and Hayes have ‘nailed it’ with this amazing self-help guide for those who are young and struggling. I might even suggest that us grown-ups could use it too! Thank you for creating such an amazing journey; it will be invaluable to all who explore its pages.” — Robyn D. Walser, PhD, codirector of the Bay Area Trauma Recovery Clinic; assistant professor at the University of California, Berkeley; author of The Heart of ACT; and coauthor of Learning ACT and The Mindful Couple

“What would it be like to own your own life? I don’t mean a life that’s perfect, or smooth, or easy. I mean a life that’s about what your heart yearns for it to be about. That can happen, and this book is about how to get it to happen. It’s based on scores of studies about people just like you, but it is easy to read, clear, and wise. If you want your life, your way—this book will show you how.” — Steven C. Hayes, PhD, Nevada Foundation Professor in the department of psychology at the University of Nevada, Reno; and codeveloper of ACT

“This self-help guide provides step-by-step coping strategies for teens who struggle with social-emotional challenges. Based on acceptance and commitment therapy practices, the text identifies specific actions that will produce desired changes…. Each chapter begins with an inspirational quote from a pop culture figure and ends with a summary. Humorous pen illustrations are featured throughout, and the use of subtitles and bullets keeps the somewhat complex content organized…. ­VERDICT: Recommended for middle and high school libraries that need to expand their self-help sections.” — School Library Journal  Published On: 2020-11-02