The Self-Talk Workout: Six Science-Backed Strategies to Dissolve Self-Criticism and Transform the Voice in Your Head Spiral-Bound | November 29, 2022

Rachel Goldsmith Turow

★★★★☆+ from 31 to 100 ratings

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Self-talk matters, but which methods of positive self-talk actually work? This how-to guide shares evidence-based ways to go from your own worst critic to your own best friend.

Everybody talks to themselves, and millions of people struggle with the toll negative self-talk takes on our minds, bodies, and relationships. But problems with self-talk vary dramatically from one person to the next, ranging from mild but persistent inner criticism to full-blown self-loathing or the pain of internalized social bias.  
  
Based on over a decade of experience working with hundreds of individuals, psychologist and mindfulness teacher Rachel Turow offers the “self-talk workout”—six doable exercises to help you replace self-criticism with self-kindness. Strategies such as ”Nonjudgment (or at least a lot less judgment),” ”Fail forward,” and ”Spot the success” require just a few minutes a day and work together to build a cycle of positive reinforcement. 
 
Each chapter features a “core exercise” and a section on “what does it look like when this exercise is working,” encouraging your progress. Sharing stories from her own life and experiences as a psychotherapist, as well as lessons from respected public figures such as Michelle Obama and Thich Nhat Hanh, Turow shows that the burden of negative self-talk need not go on forever: the way we talk to ourselves is workable. 
Publisher: Shambhala Publications, Inc.
Original Binding: Trade Paperback
Pages: 272 pages
ISBN-10: 1611808480
Item Weight: 0.8 lbs
Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
Customer Reviews: 4 out of 5 stars 31 to 100 ratings
“Rachel Turow offers simple, transformative exercises that you will return to again and again.”—Tara Brach, author of Trusting the Gold

The Self-Talk Workout describes clear science-based pathways to cultivate self-compassion. This is a great resource for anyone looking for new sources of hope and friendliness.”—Shauna Shapiro, author of Good Morning, I Love You: Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Practices to Rewire Your Brain for Calm, Clarity, and Joy
 
“Here you will find skillful ways to quiet the mind and open the heart. This is good medicine.”—Jack Kornfield, author of A Path with Heart
 
“If you have ever asked yourself ‘Am I good enough?’ or thought ‘I should be nicer to myself,’ then you will want to read The Self-Talk Workout. Rachel Turow has experienced and researched the effects of self-criticism, and her book is written with compassion and a basis in science.”—Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness and Real Change
 
“Given the prominence of our inner voice in the economy of our mental life, it is very fortunate that we can turn to Dr. Turow’s wise and compassionate guidance. Some words simply jump off the page and you can taste the relief contained in these practices. Dr. Turow demonstrates that our inner life is more malleable than we assume, and even a little more freedom around our self-talk can make an enormous difference in our lives.”—Matthew Brensilver, author of Teaching Mindfulness to Empower Adolescents

“In The Self-Talk Workout, Rachel Turow provides an accessible, sustainable, and scientifically-backed process to understand and to skillfully work with the voice within that causes us so much suffering. Turow’s comprehensive examination of the origins and impact of self-talk on the many aspects of our lives—personally, socially, and globally—behooves us to take action with wisdom and compassion for the benefit of ourselves and all beings. And Rachel is a phenomenal writer—clear and easy to follow.”—La Sarmiento, guiding teacher of the Insight Meditation Community of Washington BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ Sanghas

“Recommended for anyone needing techniques to pacify their inner critic.”—Library Journal
RACHEL TUROW is a psychotherapist in private practice, a research scientist, and an adjunct faculty member at Seattle University and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She has trained hundreds of individuals to use mindfulness, self-compassion, and cognitive behavioral skills to transform their self-criticism into self-encouragement and to cultivate resilience. She is the author of Mindfulness Skills for Trauma and PTSD as well as over thirty articles and book chapters, and she is a frequent speaker at national and international conferences. Rachel’s website is rachelturow.com. 

Author Residence: Seattle, WA

Author Hometown: San Francisco, CA