Arthur P. Ciaramicoli - The Stress Solution: Using Empathy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Reduce Anxiety and Develop Resilience

PRAISE FOR THE STRESS SOLUTION

The Stress Solution is an unusually wise and well-informed look at the terrible epidemic of stress that hurts so many of us in so many ways. Whats more, Dr. Ciaramicoli offers something really new here pioneering, in fact. If youve struggled with the effects of stress, this is the book for you. I recommend it wholeheartedly.

Mira Kirshenbaum, author of I Love You but I Dont Trust You: The Complete Guide to Restoring Trust in Your Relationship

This book is a wonderful contribution to the ever-changing field of therapy. Based on research evidence, Dr. Ciaramicoli integrates the science and practice of empathy with traditional cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to offer a wise and inspiring solution to the problems associated with stress. This book engages us in easy and effective strategies to help reduce unhelpful ways of thinking and to let go of stress. If you experience stress and are looking for a gentle, practical, and effective solution, empathic CBT will not fail to assist you.

Dr. Bruno A. Cayoun, clinical psychologist, director of the MiCBT Institute, and author of Mindfulness-integrated CBT for Well-being and Personal Growth

Dr. Ciaramicoli has written an insightful and instructional book on empathic CBT. It was a beautiful and growth-inspiring journey for me, and it offers many takeaways and fresh insights. I especially love how, in the final two chapters, Dr. Ciaramicoli weaves all the concepts (i.e., courage, freedom, wisdom, authenticity, and altruism) together almost poetically, all of them mutually reinforcing and each of them enhanced by the power of empathy. Dr. C makes a very strong case for the supposition that empathy is truth-oriented. I couldnt agree more, and this connection is made in our culture so uncommonly that the notion almost seems radical. He also makes the same case for self-knowing and our own growth and development. Just wonderful. I love this book.

Dr. James Brennan, visiting professor of organizational behavior at Lehigh University and author of The Art of Becoming Oneself

In my many years as a practicing OB/GYN and CEO, I have never seen as many of my female patients negatively affected by stress as I have recently. Not only is Dr. Ciaramicolis book of wisdom timely, but his way of using empathy to uncover distorted thinking and using CBT techniques to alter these distortions is unique. In addition to being innovative, The Stress Solution gives us a practical way to lessen stress and consistently improve overall health. This book will be in my waiting room for a very long time, and I will recommend it to all my patients, colleagues, family, and friends.

Mary Bethony, MD, CEO of All About Women, Framingham and Westboro, Massachusetts

Dr. Ciaramicoli has created a new, incredibly effective way to combat stress by combining the use of empathy with the concepts of cognitive behavioral therapy. This book is an excellent tool for combating the stress and anxiety in our current society, and it also teaches us how to balance our lives given the tremendous stressors in our world. I particularly value Dr. Cs chapter on the stress of prejudice, which offers a very insightful look at the negative effects of bias and how to perceive free of past conditioning. I have asked my family, friends, and clients to read this wonderful book, and I hope you will do the same for all those you care about.

Dr. Robert Cherney, chief psychologist at Advocates Community Health Services, Framingham, Massachusetts

Dr. Ciaramicolis latest work, The Stress Solution, is a must-read. Period. Full stop. In my work as a cognitive behavioral psychologist, I know the power of CBT for managing stress. In my work in the humanitarian sphere, I know the power of empathy. But never before have I seen the two brought together in such a creative and compelling, synergistic approach. How brilliant logic and emotion combined to augment each other. Bravo, Dr. Ciaramicoli!

Chris Stout, PhD, founding director of the Center for Global Initiatives and clinical professor at University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry

Copyright 2016 by Arthur P. Ciaramicoli

All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, or other without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

The material in this book is intended for education. It is not meant to take the place of diagnosis and treatment by a qualified medical practitioner or therapist. No expressed or implied guarantee of the effects of the use of the recommendations can be given or liability taken.

Text design by Megan Colman

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

First printing, June 2016

ISBN 978-1-60868-408-3

Ebook ISBN 978-1-60868-409-0

Printed in Canada on 100% postconsumer-waste recycled paper

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To Carmela:

Whenever you are present, the stressors of the world disappear.

Contents

Only the development of compassion and understanding for others can bring us the tranquility and happiness we all seek.

DALAI LAMA XIV, The Art of Happiness

A few weekends ago, I was cycling with a good friend, Rob, who is in excellent physical health, has a good job, loves his wife and two daughters, and is a wonderful friend. I always look forward to our long bike rides. As we pedaled and talked, I noted that something was different. As Rob talked about his life, catching me up on the kids activities, his wifes upcoming knee surgery, the new roof he has to pay for, and the college savings he doesnt have, he mentioned the word stress in what seemed like every third sentence. Yet Rob seemed to have little awareness of how often he was mentioning stress as a part of his life.

I listened to his concerns as we rode along and tried to impart my understanding. We continued up a difficult hill, where we usually dont have a lot of breath for talking. However, he continued, with even more emphasis, Whats wrong with our society that everything seems so important, that we cant slow down for ten minutes, take a break, and relax? I feel like Im riding a horse I cant control. Im holding the reins, but Im being led instead of leading.

Robs statements echoed those I hear every week from many of my clients, with diverse occupations and lifestyles. When I went home that afternoon, I found myself researching recent studies on stress. I found that what Rob and so many of my clients are expressing is not only typical, it is now an epidemic. This book began on that one long bicycle ride up a difficult hill.