The Mindful Way Workbook: An 8-Week Program to Free Yourself from Depression and Emotional Distress

I purchased this workbook after thoroughly reading ‘The Mindful Way …
I purchased this workbook after thoroughly reading ‘The Mindful Way Through Depression.’ That book gave me a deeper understanding of depression and why mindful meditation works. I referenced it throughout this workbook’s 8-week course. I won’t go into my story, but believe me, I had tried everything to overcome a dangerous 1.5 year situation-related depression. I completed the 8-week course 14 months ago, and continue with the practice daily. Due to my situation, I am committed to continuing for the rest of my life, because I know I have to. This program saved my life. . . . .literally. If you are suffering with depression, and are willing to commit to an 8-week program, PLEASE do this course. You have nothing to lose, and possibly, everything to gain. The course did not provide overnight, miraculous improvement for me, yet the subtle and positive changes were evident to me (and my husband!), and continue to this day. I understand that a meditation practice takes a lifetime to master, so that helps me remain realistic and patient with myself, and take things one day at a time. I still have a long way to go in my healing process, but my meditation practice is helping me get there, day by day. My heart goes out to all of you who struggle with depression and its disabling effects, and my hope is that this program will help you as much as it did me.

Strongly recommend
This is truly a workbook with lots of space to record your thoughts and impressions right in the book. I have used this book by myself and in a small group. The directions are very clear for each exercise and the weekly activities are very manageable. I also like the fact that the guided exercises have written directions and are on the CD. The program has worked for both myself and the group I peer-facilitated. However, it’s not the kind of program that you go through once and that’s it. I’ve already done it twice and have learned more about myself the second time around. Plus, the idea is that you incorporate parts of the program into your life. The only reason I gave it four stars is that I feel that I benefited most from the program when I also read “Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression,” (Second Edition.) Because the workbook is set up as a workbook there is not as much explanation of how and why this method works. After I read “Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression” I felt like I had a better grasp on the program. I recommend getting both books.

Concrete Introduction to Mindfulness
I bought this book after watching a video by the author on youtube. I have been practicing meditation intermittently for several years, and for this reason, I found some of the exercises to be a bit tedious. That being said, I think those with little previous exposure to mindfulness-based meditation will benefit greatly from this book and from the approach that it advocates: namely, the idea of distancing (rather disattaching) from the thoughts, emotions, etc. and being able to observe them and even feel them without being caught up in them.I think the 8-week aspect was a bit gimmicky, and perhaps sets people up with false hopes of a quick recovery, though an 8-week commitment is probably enough to at least gain a solid foundation in the basics of mindfulness.

There are better ways to treat your anxiety/depression
Do you have an hour a day to spend working on your mental health for six straight weeks? Than go to a certified CBT therapist and put in some work on yourself. This workbook requires way too much of your time to be worthwhile. If you are willing to spend the amount of time this book requires, then there are other things you can do that will give better results.

This is a great workbook, I read the mindful way about 15 or so years ago and found it very helpful. I’ve had episodes of depression since my teens, and have recently gone through my third severe episode in my life. 15 years ago the original book helped me turn a corner in Recovery. In 2021 an had my worst episode and was down for a good 12 months in recovery – support, therapy, meds and lifestyle changes helped me and of course mindfulness in a big way! I used this book this time round, the structure and activities are just what i needed to keep a regular practice. I am well recovered and life is good again (i now work in mental health!) I practice formal meditation daily and mindfulness daily. I can now see how i ended up in a huge depression again, and this is key – you make changes and drop unhealthy habits for healthy ones to keep well, you dont go back to old habits once you feel well. Mindfulness via this book has given me the insights and peace I needed to get well – being older and wiser I now recognise this is going to be something I always do, and I’m happy for that as it brings me peace and serenity. The key being you have to actually do the work or ‘practice’ but it is wonderful.

Very understandable, well explained, the book makes the concepts and ideas in “Mindful Way Through Depression” even more accessible. Especially the layout with its various different elements makes the workbook easy to read. The comments from participants in MBCT groups are probably one of the most helpful aspects, as they help to normalise your experience.