Can you be your own therapist? New books tell you how

CAN you be your own therapist? Can you address your mental health challenges without the direct guidance of a psychologist? Can you take on the role of your own life coach, guiding yourself through personal and professional obstacles? Can you engage in self-talk that is calm, reassuring, compassionate and authoritative, helping you overcome your deepest fears and anxieties?

A spate of do-it-yourself (DIY) therapy books, particularly those released during or after the pandemic, suggest that this is possible. Written partly to assist individuals facing mental health challenges worsened by social isolation and limited access to professional help, these books offer a wealth of strategies, exercises and anecdotes for self-discovery, healing and fulfilment. They introduce mindfulness practices, cognitive-behavioural techniques and journaling prompts, empowering readers on various levels.

The beauty of these books is that their advice is not bound to the pandemic era at all. They can empower you on an ordinary day – particularly if the challenges you face are less severe mental health problems not related to extreme trauma and violence, which would certainly require professional intervention.