The Self-Esteem Workbook

Thu, 1 Jun 2017 04:28:27 GMT

The Self-Esteem Workbook

Book being reviewed:
Schiraldi, G.R. (2001). The Self-Esteem Workbook. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications.

Reviewer:
Emily Teague Palmieri

Curricular Areas:
College Counseling/Student Affairs, Helping Relationships/Counseling Theory, Human Development, Marital/Couple/Family Counseling

Subject Headings:
Anxiety disorders, College, Depression, Heath/wellness, High school, Middle school, Relationships

Review:
The Self-Esteem Workbook was created as a companion guide to Self-Esteem, however, in the context of therapy, this workbook can be used alone. This first edition was published in 2001 and is a practical workbook to build psychological self-esteem for individuals struggling with self-acceptance, which may be contributing to psychological distress. Based in Person-Centered and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy theories, the short chapters of this self-help workbook helps readers understand the importance of self-esteem concepts and provided worksheets and activities that are user-friendly. While clients can complete these worksheets and tasks individually and it would be acceptable to recommend clients use this outside of therapy sessions, it is appropriate to use this as a complementary resource to individual or group therapy.

Part one of the Self-Esteem Workbook focuses on understanding self-esteem as neither shameful or prideful, the etiology of self-esteem, and preparing the user physically and mentally, for the psychological work. Part two is broken up into three factors: 1) the reality of unconditional self-worth, addressing self-defeating thoughts, acknowledging the positive realities in addition to limiting thoughts, and core-affirming thoughts; 2) experiencing unconditional love through addressing self-love, acknowledging the positive qualities in self and others, and cultivating body appreciation through cognitive rehearsals, mindfulness and other activities; 3) the active side of love: growing addresses perfectionism, taking stock of one's own character and preparing for setbacks. There is an appendices section at the end that hints towards the topics that were included in the latest edition that has yet to be released of forgiving the self and looking to the past with love.

Overall, the Self-Esteem Workbook themes are reflective of Roger's core conditions while the interventions and tasks are heavily Cognitive-Behavioral in therapeutic orientation. The workbook's short chapters follow an organizational framework of building concepts from more concrete and accessible to more abstract and challenging. Within each chapter, a self-esteem concept is introduced, explained, placed into context with an example, and finished with an activity/ worksheet that typically allows for alternative options for individualization.

The language of this workbook is appropriate for most middle and high schoolers, however the concepts are salient for college students and adults in general. The chapters are merely a few pages each, which tend to feel gratifying and rewarding to clients and makes for easy "homework" or to include in a counseling session. Concepts, such as listing self-likes, may be difficult to do if wrangled in the throes of depression. Some clients may need more assistance through these tasks than others, as finding the positive in oneself may be difficult to do when struggling with depression or anxiety. One's culture may not reinforce notions of the self, so while the topic is grounded in the culturally inclusive lens of Rogers, some care needs to be considered when accounting for a culture that does not tend to focus on the individual. In addition, caution should be used to not assume literacy and comprehension of concepts.