Overview

Are you looking for a way to put your inner critic in time-out while while toilet-training your Black Dog? Challenging the Black Dog makes starting your recovery from depression as simple as breaking out a well-chewed pen and some craft supplies. Because sometimes when you're alone in your head, it helps to cover the darkness with glitter and doodles. This creative rendition of the standard treatment workbook incorporates both the author's own experience as well as medical advice, providing: Much-needed reassurance that depression is a real, valid illness that's not only common, but can be treated with time and effort. The opportunity to manage your symptoms in a unique, positive way, regardless of your literary or artistic abilities. A self-directed recovery path that is constantly in line with your needs and abilities right now. An escape from the scary sight of endless lines and empty pages that comes with journaling by by offering stimulating and thought-provoking ideas. An eclectic collection of therapy methods that have been scientifically confirmed to work will actively assist you increase your mental toughness and stability just when you need it. An enjoyable introduction to the effectiveness of mindfulness art techniques and transformational storytelling. Challenging the Black Dog can act as your best friend and much-needed guide through challenging times. To start your depression recovery, offer yourself a creative approach with a few pens, some time, and a little self-honesty.

Full Product Details

9780648247401

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Reviews

I strongly recommend it not only for those who are experiencing the pain of depression, but for all who wish to reflect deeply with the personal factors that can bring us darkly down and those that can bring us back to renewal and light. - Brian R. Little, Ph.D., Fellow, Well-Being Institute, Cambridge University. .. .a resource for depression sufferers by a depression sufferer... it provides hope and will complement professional expertise. - Patrick McGorry AO MD PhD FRANZCP, Professor of Youth Mental Health, Orygen, the National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health. Challenging the Black Dog is immensely creative, using humour and intentional questions to encourage personal reflection... There's something for everyone in this book. - Associate Professor James Scott, Child and Youth Psychiatrist, Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research. .. .why shouldn't the exploration of depression be creative, stimulating and ultimately uplifting? Challenging the Black Dog effectively takes the currently popular, designer happiness journal to a new level and depth, confronting the reality of living with depression in a format that can be both pleasurable and relatable. - Professor Jill Bennett, Director of The Big Anxiety: festival of arts + science + people, Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow, UNSW AUSTRALIA. Challenging the Black Dog is significant in that it does not hand you answers, but rather sets you up to find them yourself. - Sam Webb, Actor + Co-founder of Australian mental health organisation, LIVIN. You can write in it, draw, vent, scribble random things that are important and inspire you. Treat it as your companion. It's here to help and encourage you. It's a support crew in your own corner, there to use anytime, anywhere. - Belle Brockhoff, Professional Snowboarder & 2x Olympian. Challenging the Black Dog presents a refreshingly original approach to grappling with depression. The exercises here spark a creative process that simultaneously grounds and explores. I wish I'd had this book in my teens and twenties. - Mark Pellegrino, Actor, Supernatural and 13 Reasons Why.

I strongly recommend it not only for those who are experiencing the pain of depression, but for all who wish to reflect deeply with the personal factors that can bring us darkly down and those that can bring us back to renewal and light. - Brian R. Little, Ph.D., Fellow, Well-Being Institute, Cambridge University. .. .a resource for depression sufferers by a depression sufferer... it provides hope and will complement professional expertise. - Patrick McGorry AO MD PhD FRANZCP, Professor of Youth Mental Health, Orygen, the National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health. Challenging the Black Dog is immensely creative, using humour and intentional questions to encourage personal reflection... There's something for everyone in this book. - Associate Professor James Scott, Child and Youth Psychiatrist, Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research. .. .why shouldn't the exploration of depression be creative, stimulating and ultimately uplifting? Challenging the Black Dog effectively takes the currently popular, designer happiness journal to a new level and depth, confronting the reality of living with depression in a format that can be both pleasurable and relatable. - Professor Jill Bennett, Director of The Big Anxiety: festival of arts + science + people, Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow, UNSW AUSTRALIA. Challenging the Black Dog is significant in that it does not hand you answers, but rather sets you up to find them yourself. - Sam Webb, Actor + Co-founder of Australian mental health organisation, LIVIN. You can write in it, draw, vent, scribble random things that are important and inspire you. Treat it as your companion. It's here to help and encourage you. It's a support crew in your own corner, there to use anytime, anywhere. - Belle Brockhoff, Professional Snowboarder & 2x Olympian.

"""I strongly recommend it not only for those who are experiencing the pain of depression, but for all who wish to reflect deeply with the personal factors that can bring us darkly down and those that can bring us back to renewal and light."" - Brian R. Little, Ph.D., Fellow, Well-Being Institute, Cambridge University. ""...a resource for depression sufferers by a depression sufferer... it provides hope and will complement professional expertise."" - Patrick McGorry AO MD PhD FRANZCP, Professor of Youth Mental Health, Orygen, the National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health. ""Challenging the Black Dog is immensely creative, using humour and intentional questions to encourage personal reflection... There's something for everyone in this book."" - Associate Professor James Scott, Child and Youth Psychiatrist, Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research. ""...why shouldn't the exploration of depression be creative, stimulating and ultimately uplifting? Challenging the Black Dog effectively takes the currently popular, designer ""happiness journal"" to a new level and depth, confronting the reality of living with depression in a format that can be both pleasurable and relatable."" - Professor Jill Bennett, Director of The Big Anxiety: festival of arts + science + people, Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow, UNSW AUSTRALIA. ""Challenging the Black Dog is significant in that it does not hand you answers, but rather sets you up to find them yourself."" - Sam Webb, Actor + Co-founder of Australian mental health organisation, LIVIN. ""You can write in it, draw, vent, scribble random things that are important and inspire you. Treat it as your companion. It's here to help and encourage you. It's a support crew in your own corner, there to use anytime, anywhere."" - Belle Brockhoff, Professional Snowboarder & 2x Olympian. ""Challenging the Black Dog presents a refreshingly original approach to grappling with depression. The exercises here spark a creative process that simultaneously grounds and explores. I wish I'd had this book in my teens and twenties."" - Mark Pellegrino, Actor, Supernatural and 13 Reasons Why."

Author Information

VJ Cast is an Australian non-fiction author, colouring book creator, introvert, and co-parent of a teen on the spectrum. She has battled mental illness for more than 20 years. Fibromyalgia enjoys kicking her ass, so she's close friends with many hot water bottles. She enjoys playing the Mass Effect series again, tabletop role-playing games, wearing clothing with pockets, and getting messy with more creative projects than she can handle.She's a cat person. She dislikes (most) social media, having to wear makeup, taking selfies, and watching her child grow up. She resides on a tiny island off the coast of South East Queensland, Australia, which is home to an incredible variety of fauna and an excessive number of amiable insects. Her hair colours, like her medications, are subject to change. Dr Travis Gee, PhD (Psychology, Carleton, 1998) is a psychologist practising in Queensland, Australia, with nearly two decades' experience helping people from around the world. He has sat on the Executive Board of the Australian Counselling Association for many years, where he has edited journals and consulted on policy, and he has recently joined the Executive Board of the Black Ribbon Foundation of Australia. Dr Gee has experience with a broad range of clinical issues, ranging from depression and anxiety through schizophrenia, bipolar disorder with psychotic features, drug and alcohol addiction, phobias, Asperger's Disorder, grief and trauma.

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