Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation

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Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation

4.11 of 5 stars 4.11 · rating details · 1,037 ratings · 122 reviews

From a pioneer in the field of mental health comes a groundbreaking book on the healing power of "mindsight," the potent skill that is the basis for both emotional and social intelligence. Mindsight allows you to make positive changes in your brain–and in your life.

• Is there a memory that torments you, or an irrational fear you can' t shake?
• Do you sometimes become unrea...more From a pioneer in the field of mental health comes a groundbreaking book on the healing power of "mindsight," the potent skill that is the basis for both emotional and social intelligence. Mindsight allows you to make positive changes in your brain–and in your life.

• Is there a memory that torments you, or an irrational fear you can' t shake?
• Do you sometimes become unreasonably angry or upset and find it hard to calm down?
• Do you ever wonder why you can't stop behaving the way you do, no matter how hard you try?
• Are you and your child (or parent, partner, or boss) locked in a seemingly inevitable pattern of conflict?

What if you could escape traps like these and live a fuller, richer, happier life? This isn't mere speculation but the result of twenty-five years of careful hands-on clinical work by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. A Harvard-trained physician, Dr. Siegel is one of the revolutionary global innovators in the integration of brain science into the practice of psychotherapy. Using case histories from his practice, he shows how, by following the proper steps, nearly everyone can learn how to focus their attention on the internal world of the mind in a way that will literally change the wiring and architecture of their brain.

Through his synthesis of a broad range of scientific research with applications to everyday life, Dr. Siegel has developed novel approaches that have helped hundreds of patients heal themselves from painful events in the past and liberate themselves from obstacles blocking their happiness in the present. And now he has written the first book that will help all of us understand the potential we have to create our own lives. Showing us mindsight in action, Dr. Siegel describes

• a sixteen-year-old boy with bipolar disorder who uses meditation and other techniques instead of drugs to calm the emotional storms that made him suicidal
• a woman paralyzed by anxiety, who uses mindsight to discover, in an unconscious memory of a childhood accident, the source of her dread
• a physician–the author himself–who pays attention to his intuition, which he experiences as a "vague, uneasy feeling in my belly, a gnawing restlessness in my heart and my gut," and tracks down a patient who could have gone deaf because of an inaccurately written prescription for an ear infection
• a twelve-year-old girl with OCD who learns a meditation that is "like watching myself from outside myself" and, using a form of internal dialogue, is able to stop the compulsive behaviors that have been tormenting her

These and many other extraordinary stories illustrate how mindsight can help us master our emotions, heal our relationships, and reach our fullest potential.

A book as inspiring as it is informative, as practical as it is profound, Mindsight offers exciting new proof that we aren't hardwired to behave in certain ways, but instead have the ability to harness the power of our minds to resculpt the neural pathways of our brains in ways that will be life-transforming.(less)

Hardcover, 336 pages

Published January 12th 2010 by Bantam (first published January 1st 2009)

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Aug 01, 2011 Annie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

Mightsight is an interesting book about the neuroplasticity of the brain. To quote, "Mindsight is a kind of focused attention that allows us to see the internal workings of our own minds."Neuroplasticity is the ability for the brain to grow new pathways between neurons that fire in your mind, which create new pathways. These new pathways mean you can change. You can strengthen the areas that you are weak in and learn how to make better, healthier choices as a person. He talks about finding a dee...more Mightsight is an interesting book about the neuroplasticity of the brain. To quote, "Mindsight is a kind of focused attention that allows us to see the internal workings of our own minds."Neuroplasticity is the ability for the brain to grow new pathways between neurons that fire in your mind, which create new pathways. These new pathways mean you can change. You can strengthen the areas that you are weak in and learn how to make better, healthier choices as a person. He talks about finding a deep core within where you can observe your thoughts and feelings and not be tossed around by them or caught up in them. I really loved this book, it made me miss my psychology classes oh so much. Yes, it's true, this book may be a little dense for people not fascinated by the brain/behavior link. It requires concentration, focus and attention to get through and isn't a breezy read. However, Dr. Siegel does write in a way that is understandable and easier to follow than other brain-based books I read. He sprinkles his chapters liberally with analogies, some pictures, acronyms and vignettes to help the reader understand the abstract concepts. Part One focuses mainly on the brain and neurology 101. Part Two is actual experiences with his therapy clients, the problems they came in with and how applying his theory involving "Mindsight" these patients were able to change their minds and way of thinking and were much happier as a result. He talks about mood swings, OCD, couples therapy, overcoming your past, overcoming trauma and even developing the lesser used half of your brain to enjoy all aspects of life more fully. It's definitely inspiring to hear the problems and then after consistent sessions see how his clients are helped, although I do wish there had been a bit more specific techniques on how to strengthen your mind. He recommends writing, meditating, exercise and a regular sleep schedule, which I try to do now anyway. Since more specific steps were lacking, it kind of made me feel like I wanted to sign up for some therapy with this guy to help me become more responsive to life, not reactive. I hope to adhere more thoroughly to all the ideas in this book because the results he describes are so awesome and empowering. I definitely could read it again and continue to try everyday to apply these principles into my life.

My favorite quotes-many sections in the book!(less)

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Apr 07, 2013 Jeanine Marie Swenson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Life muse and respected author, Dr. Daniel J. Siegel, has added another gem to his rich collection of heplful personal and family guides for the serious student of brain and relationship transformation. Written thoughtfully to speak to a broad audience, I found this nonfictional work to be gentle yet mesmerizing.

After 4 introductory and explanatory chapters, Dr. Siegel gets to the brillant framework of his vision and introduces eight domains of integration. Each domain represents an imbalance of...more Life muse and respected author, Dr. Daniel J. Siegel, has added another gem to his rich collection of heplful personal and family guides for the serious student of brain and relationship transformation. Written thoughtfully to speak to a broad audience, I found this nonfictional work to be gentle yet mesmerizing.

After 4 introductory and explanatory chapters, Dr. Siegel gets to the brillant framework of his vision and introduces eight domains of integration. Each domain represents an imbalance of the extended nervous system that can be improved by psychotherapy or other reparative relationships. This wonderful metaphor fits my personal strength-based, solution-focused perspective of "mental illness" and leaves the less helpful, problem focused and pathogolizing ideas in the dust. He then goes on to develop and highlight each domain with excellent research evidence, examples and case presentations. Weaving in newer ideas of neuroplasticity , mindfulness, and interconnectedness, the author skillfully crafts many of the old concepts with newer proactive ways to reshape the brain using the mind and body.

A majority of the book starts at the level of individual psychology, however, I appreciate Dr. Siegel's efforts to then expand the system and bring in family or other important relationships into almost every case presentation. By chapter eleven, the author finally dives head on into the rich possibilites of systemic psychotherapy with a couple's case discussion.

If neuroanatomy is not a major interest, you may want to skip the "Minding the Brain" section of chapter one, and refer to it later as a reference guide. Like the deeper sections of the brain that contain peace and tranquility, I would encourage you to dive slower and carefully into this book (and possibly at your own pace and order) to enjoy the many levels of transformation that this book promises and delivers. Like great music, this explanation of mindsight fulfills its promise to speak to each listener in their own language and with their own unique cadence.(less)

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Jun 01, 2012 Erika RS rated it 4 of 5 stars

I read this book as part of a reading group at work. We had read Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman, and we had mixed feelings about that book. We had enjoyed the ideas but were disappointed by a lack of practical suggestions for personal growth. Siegel's Mindsight only focuses on one of Goleman's domains of emotional intelligence, self-awareness, but that piece is the fundamental one on which all other skill of social and emotional intelligence are built.

Siegel's book describes many pract...more I read this book as part of a reading group at work. We had read Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman, and we had mixed feelings about that book. We had enjoyed the ideas but were disappointed by a lack of practical suggestions for personal growth. Siegel's Mindsight only focuses on one of Goleman's domains of emotional intelligence, self-awareness, but that piece is the fundamental one on which all other skill of social and emotional intelligence are built.

Siegel's book describes many practical actions one can take to increase self-awareness. These techniques will sound familiar to anyone familiar with mindfulness traditions (observing the breath, the sensations of the senses, sensations within the body, thoughts, connections to others), but he brings a different perspective. Siegel is a practicing psychotherapist with an interest in understanding the neuroscience behind different techniques. Instead of presenting mindfulness practices from a religious/spiritual point of view, he presents these practices from a practical (e.g., case study oriented) and scientific point of view. For those who have studied mindfulness from a spiritual perspective, this book will broaden your perspective For those who see mindfulness as new age woo woo, this book shows the scientifically and practically grounded effects and benefits of mindfulness practices.

That said, this book was much more focused on the stories of the case studies than on the concepts or the science. This was interesting, but most of us in the reading group would have liked to see this coupled with a more conceptual presentation. Oddly enough, the author would have preferred that too. We had coordinated the reading of this book with a visit from Dr. Siegel. In addition to giving an interesting talk, Dr. Siegel was generous enough to have a more focused session with the members of the reading group. During that talk, he revealed to us that he wrote this book for a general audience, and most people learn best through stories. However, he did have another book which, as he put it, contains everything his editor would not let him put into Mindsight. That book is The Mindful Therapist, and I look forward to reading it!(less)

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Mar 10, 2012 Deb rated it 5 of 5 stars

*Pieces of mind integrated into peace of mind,*

Only a (highly human) genius like Daniel Siegel could write such a masterpiece that magically transforms the complex science of interpersonal neurobiology into an understandable,compelling, fascinating, and exciting read. He beautifully weaves the concept of mindsight--the process that enables us to monitor and modify the flow of energy and information in our brains so we can achieve the ability to objectively look inward to our subjective internal...more

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Mar 26, 2011 Steven Waters rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book blends the science of neuroplasticity with mindfulness meditation -- two subjects close to my heart, brain, and mind. I'm usually most attuned to the discussions of neuroplasticity but I found myself tuning out during the sections of the book that were on this topic exclusively. This may be a function of the several other books I've read on this subject ("The Brain That Changes Itself" by Norman Doidge; "Brain Rules," by John Medina; "Spark" by John Ratey and Eric Hagerman). However, t...more

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Jan 21, 2011 John Martindale rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, pop-neuroscience, hope-to-re-read

This book was really interesting to me in light of my current interest in substance dualism; the idea that we have a soul that is immaterial and yet can influence the brain, while being influence by the physical itself. Siegel is quite obviously a scientific naturalist, yet he is unlike many others in that he is willing to live with the mystery that the mind is non-physical, and this was fascinating to me. Mind, in his mind of course is just the magical result of evolution, and as of yet it can'...more This book was really interesting to me in light of my current interest in substance dualism; the idea that we have a soul that is immaterial and yet can influence the brain, while being influence by the physical itself. Siegel is quite obviously a scientific naturalist, yet he is unlike many others in that he is willing to live with the mystery that the mind is non-physical, and this was fascinating to me. Mind, in his mind of course is just the magical result of evolution, and as of yet it can't really be understood or explained scientifically, but its reality is obvious; this consciousness, this ability to think about thinking, to have beliefs, freewill and volition is commonsense. The main idea of the book is we need mind sight, the ability to be an observer of the happenings within our brain. The low road as he calls it, is influence by desires, personality, trauma, memories and evolutionary factors of fight, flight and freeze among many other things will cause us to do extremely inappropriate and irrational things if we let it have its way. But since we are not only our brain, we can in essence take a step back and observe that what is happening inside of us is just mere happenings in parts of our brain, that most often are influenced by our childhood and genes. The emotions and irrational fear or self-destructive tendencies are not our identity, these things can be changed. And through mindfulness we can rewire our brain. He never calls the mind our soul, which is important since I am sure he wants to remain a respected academic, yet the theist could easy reference this book in making a cause for a soul that fills the body, and that the only reasonable explanation for this non-physical mind is A MIND, the Spirit who fills the universe. For how can non-thinking materiel create a non-phyiscal mind through the process of evolution?

After Siegel writes about the mind, the rest of the book is filled with examples of psychoanalysis with his patients. With each person he discovers the childhood events that has resulted in their current issues and helps the patient by getting them to understand that what they are feeling is located in the brain and that the brain can be rewired through mindful effort. Recognizing whats happening inside and the why its happening, takes a lot of the wind out of the sails. I like that he never wanted the patients to blame other or see themselves as victims, but wants to help them to rise above it through mindsight. But yeah, I am making a mess of this review, I think I ought to stop.(less)

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Dec 10, 2009 Magi rated it 5 of 5 stars

An accessable but rigorously researched take on neuroplasticity, with useful approaches to how mindfulness can assist in overcoming a range of what are usually considered mental illnesses only treatable with medication. A unique and clear approach to the question of what is mind and what is brain, incorporating relationships into the concept of what it is to be human, and the importance of attachment in infancy, and how issues with attachment can be addressed in adulthood.

A positive and inspira...more

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Jan 24, 2012 Stephanie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: psycology, brain, 2012

The problem with books of this nature are unfortunately named.

This is true of this book, Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation, sounds as self help-y and new age-y as a book title can get. It does have some of those elements, but it's more of a science/psychology book. I read a lot of these books because I find the brain and psychology endlessly fascinating. I try to figure out what makes some people are douche-nozzles and some not. If listening to peoples problems on a daily ba...more The problem with books of this nature are unfortunately named.

This is true of this book, Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation, sounds as self help-y and new age-y as a book title can get. It does have some of those elements, but it's more of a science/psychology book. I read a lot of these books because I find the brain and psychology endlessly fascinating. I try to figure out what makes some people are douche-nozzles and some not. If listening to peoples problems on a daily basis had appealed to me, I may have gone into the field.

You know what they say about people who find the subject of crazy fascinating.........?

Check.

What I keep coming across in different books lately is this word mindfulness. It's meditation basically, and learning to pay attention to your mind and the thoughts that trudge though it. Notice them, and put them aside and in there place instead of letting them make you crazy. The meditation doesn't have to be complicated.....no beaches, forest,.....birds are necessary. Just pay attention to your breath, count each breath (and in and out cycle) up to the count of ten. If you have a thought creep in at any point, put it aside and start over at the count of one. Keep going until you can get to the count of 10 (and beyond) without a thought. Not as easy as it might sound.

I have done this a few times....practiced, and an odd thing happened. I started noticing my thoughts, and the things I was about to say to people slightly removed from them. I would notice that what I was about to say was a bit mean, and could stop myself before I let it fly. Before, I might have let it fly.

Also what I liked about this book and this author is that when he would treat a patient, he would not reach for the prescription pad first off. He would do therapy and mindfulness training. I have a problem with how readily doctors reach for the drugs first these days.

There is much more to this book than I can cover here, so if you are interested give it a read.
(less)

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Aug 28, 2010 Hans rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: inspirational, neuroscience, psychology, spiritual-development

Yet another book that supports the importance of meditation, or as I like to call it now, Self-directed-intentional-authorship. Good read, I especially enjoyed hearing all the success stories of people who managed to overcome life-long mental illnesses by using the power of their focused attention.

Too much of our lives appears to be fear-based-living which with its gradual grinding and gnawing saps the positive energy of our lives. It isn't surprising that this is the case, it is how we have su...more

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Jun 25, 2010 Hoss rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. It basically makes the case that a lot of problems people go to counseling for can be addressed by a form of mindfulness meditation. It describes how the brain drives behavior, and then presents a series of case studies detailing ways a brain can drive negative or destructive behavior. And then illustrates how each patient was able to use practised focused attention to train the brain out of bad habits, rewiring it to work better.

I share some of the problems presente...more

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Apr 11, 2012 Dan Appel rated it 5 of 5 stars

One of the most insightful books I have read in a long time! I continue to be fascinated by the human brain and this book is easily accessible to the layman but deep enough to satisfy the professional. One great read!

Most studies of the effects on the human brain, mind and body of many of the meditative techniques developed over 2000 years either a promoting a pseudo-religious agenda or are non-thinking attacks because the reviewer believes that there is some sort of religious agenda.

Daniel J....more

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Feb 07, 2012 Ivette rated it 5 of 5 stars

While reading the first chapter of this book, I didn't think I would like it. The word "mindsight" is repeated so much, it felt like a less than subtle sell on his method of psychotherapy, like a bad marketing technique. Once I got past that and I read the case studies, I was amazed by his insight and the effectiveness of his treatments (assuming everything he wrote is true). He basically prescribed some form of meditation to all his patients. What was fascinating was his approach on explaining...more

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Nov 28, 2012 Rubina rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: psychology, personal-development

Dr Dan Siegel defines Mindsight as " the way we focus awareness on ourselves, so our own thoughts and feelings, and it's how we are able to actually focus on the internal world of someone else. So at a very minimum, it's how we have insight into ourselves, and empathy for others."
Mindsight is a gem of a book because it explains the physical and neural structure of the brain and it linkages to the mind. He shares how rewiring the connections of our neurons (neuroplasticity) is possible through in...more

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May 27, 2011 Amy Beth rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-read-to-think, non-fiction, psychology

The idea at the center of this book is neuroplasticity, the idea that the brain can change and evolve into new patterns of thinking (literally reprogram which neurons fire together) to enable growth and change. I was fascinated by the sections on the brain; his model of the brain in the hand is simple and so easy to understand. The case studies were also exciting as I watched people find that they could develop new ways of thinking. He draws heavily on mindfulness and describes good mental healt...more

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Mar 27, 2012 Londonmabel Mabel rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: nf-selfhelp-psych, nf-science, 2own-nonfiction

An excellent book about how the mind/brain works, and how it can be changed. Siegel provides a good overview of the different parts of the brain, and then each chapter is devoted to a different client and how he helped them "integrate" the different parts of their minds, to help their mental health issues (trauma, OCD, unemotional etc.)

There isn't a lot of detail about the exercises themselves (meditation, body scan, etc). He describes them, but this isn't a workbook.

I also took off one star b...more

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May 10, 2011 nemo rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: english-non-fiction

Neuroscience/neuroplasticity meets psychology.

This is my first book on this topic. I enjoyed reading this book although at first I didn’t think that I will. This is not a “how to” or ”a self help” book.

“Mind is a process that regulates the flow of energy and information” and “Mind Sight is a process that enables us to monitor (sensing the flow within ourselves) and modify the flow of energy and information within the triangle of well-being.“

Every chapter in this book sheds the light on:
1- A pat...more

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May 10, 2012 Jo Green rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Any interested in science and meditation/duality.

Recommended to Jo by: Found it on Audible.com

Shelves: audible, science, spiritual, non-fiction

I liked this book a lot, it got kind of dry sometimes but the concept of neuro-plasticity is just neat, to be non-technical. I've tried meditating and can't do it unless guided, millions of eastern practitioners can't be wrong. This is actually about Bio-neurology. Your brain can repair itself to an extent after injury and this Doctor uses long-term protocols of meditation therapy to treat bi-polar disorder, TBI, depression and things using this restorative method. Granted, it won't work if the...more

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Dec 26, 2011 Louise Mathewson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Wow!! I heard Dan on a NICABM telecall and decided to read his book! One of the best decisions of my life! This approach will help with anxiety, depression, compulsions, difficult thoughts, critical thoughts, monkey or busy mind!! It is an amazing book that explains the neural circuits in the brain, gives examples of his patients, his own life and shows us how to be aware of how our mind is working, sometimes not too well and then shows exercises to help the brain settle down from overactivated...more

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Jul 29, 2012 Gary rated it 4 of 5 stars

I take brain science / cognitive studies with a grain of salt. (To his credit, he does mention peptides, the heart, and other systems, with a sweep of his hand.) That said, Dr Danny Siegel's work is at the forefront of my attention, and this may be his most accessible for a mass audience. His illustration of the brain as your palm is worth a look, in and of itself. He finds the prefrontal cortex as regulating nine functions, and interesting what they are and how they interconnect; for instance p...more

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Dec 15, 2012 Terry rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: brain-mental-neuro

New language for old therapy strategies. I'm always leery of statements like this in a book's overview: "Using case histories from his practice, he shows how, by following the proper steps, nearly everyone can learn how to focus their attention on the internal world of the mind in a way that will literally change the wiring and architecture of their brain."

When the marketing of a book like this claims that its insights can change "nearly everyone," I worry. However, the book is well written and...more

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Jul 29, 2011 Michael rated it 4 of 5 stars

Siegel provides an excellent clinical guide for any aspiring therapist. Using case examples he weaves the latest in neuroscience into an easy to read manual, which is well organized and inspiring. Siegel makes complex systems theory remarkably easy to understand and he makes neuroanatomy come alive with his lucid writing style and simple metaphors. Siegel's case examples are charming and he includes anecdotes from his own life with good effect. Siegel's "domains of integration" are logical and r...more

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Jun 04, 2011 Elizabeth rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: all helping professionals

Shelves: get-again, too-expensive-to-buy-yet

also from the library the 10 disc unabridged audio set. going back 3/1/12

From the library... a lot of pressure on this book. Rob read it first. Read the foreword & introduction, and Part 1; read the first 2+ chapters in Part 2. Those chapters contain case studies of a few of his clients whose issues illustrate the kinds of things that can be done with his therapeutic approach, combining knowledge of neuroanatomy with changes in daily living. This book is my new FAVORITE book.

Book going back...more

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Apr 20, 2011 Chris rated it 2 of 5 stars

Whereas Jack Kornfield and Eckhart Tolle take the spiritual vantage for writing on self-awareness, meditation, and "watching the thinker," Siegel takes the Western/science route of neurobiology and psychological case studies to the same effect, all without ever taking the same wonder and fascination out of the ordeal.

I gave this two stars for the literal "It was ok" since I often found my attention span wandering. It could have been the content, could have been the typeface of the book, or it co...more Whereas Jack Kornfield and Eckhart Tolle take the spiritual vantage for writing on self-awareness, meditation, and "watching the thinker," Siegel takes the Western/science route of neurobiology and psychological case studies to the same effect, all without ever taking the same wonder and fascination out of the ordeal.

I gave this two stars for the literal "It was ok" since I often found my attention span wandering. It could have been the content, could have been the typeface of the book, or it could have been the fact that I have little to no formal biological or psychological education.

The first part of Siegel's book is illustrating the brain, how it works, how the human brain arised in layers that have lead to emotions, feelings, and the singular ability to not just think, but recognize that we ARE thinking, and to be able to think ABOUT that thinking (metacognition, or "mindsight"). This complexity gives rise to stresses and problems that might not normally exist in lesser mammals, but to which we find ourselves in the midst of. But that same vein, this mindsight allows us to see the emotions, feelings, and thoughts, to be able to tackle them and evolve. The overview that Siegel gives on the brain, connections, how things work, why they work as they do, comes up in the second part.

The second section of the book is mainly case studies from Siegel's career: people he had as patients and their stories illustrating the concepts he discussed. Siegel often comes back to use ideas from his original overview of the brain and how it functions to illustrate what the people are going through: the synapses are firing too much, aren't connected, the person cut off their left/right brain long ago, etc, etc.

I would recommend this for the left-brained person who is interested in how the whole-brain works, and also people who have instruction in psychology (while one does not need a psych degree to get the material, it probably makes it all more familiar and easy to read along with). Siegel makes some pointed and very interesting insights. If you're looking for a "why" and "give me examples," this is your book. If you're looking for mushy how-to on self-awareness and introspection, I'd go with Kornfield or Tolle.(less)

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Jun 18, 2012 Jed rated it 5 of 5 stars

Fascinating book. Describes how our childhood experiences shape the physiology of our brains; how certain parts of the brain are exercised &, therefore, develop, & others are neglected; how our childhood brain use patterns affect us for the rest of our lives; but how these patterns can be changed no matter how old we are by exercising the under-developed parts of our brains.

Siegel, a psychiatrist, illustrates his thesis with the interesting stories of some of his patients.

Very highly rec...more

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Jan 22, 2013 Lalulla rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was one of the first books I read in psychology. It is inspiring and interesting. It exposed certain psychological problems and shows how using the flexibility of the mind alone you can change yourself and your mind! It is amazing and the concept of mindsight is based on recognizing the problem in the brain and working on improving it without Clonazepam or Prozac! It's amazing how it is possible to get in touch with your own brain and neurons and to be able to change them.

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Mar 30, 2012 Mark Brightenburg rated it 5 of 5 stars

(Audio) This book has been extremely useful in helping me distinguish therapy from coaching. While this book isn't for everyone, for those who love working with people, enjoy learning more about themselves, and are interested in the science of the brain (and MIND), this book is a must-have! The author shares numerous models of how the mind works, and integrates these models with cases. I give about 2-3 five-stars a year, and this is one of them.

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Jul 31, 2012 Dugan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Amazing book that has some interesting insights into the different parts of the brain and how the brain develops and functions. You will definitely learn about many different behaviors (good and bad) and some of the reasons we do them. I always knew one's childhood has a significant effect on who one is as an adult, but this really demonstrates the consquences of your childhood and how your parents connected with you.

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Jun 15, 2012 Gloriavirtutisumbra rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: nonfiction-old-and-new, goofy-self-help-more

Actually quite a good book. I was a little resistant to the scientific style of the author's descriptions at first, but as the book continued it made sense. And I appreciated his use of meditation also as the first stop of treatments, instead of kneejerking towards medication. Here is a non-huggy-feely version of all the recent self help books on the market, telling you it's this part of your brain doing this&that and how to think about it, instead of just using happy affirmations liberally....more

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Dec 15, 2009 Kamani rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: People who are working in mental health.

Recommended to Kamani by: Magi

I enjoyed this book. It was very readable with that clear, precise writing that some scientific minds seem to be skilled at. It was interesting to hear Siegel's research about how attachments and learnt behaviours from our childhood, continue to impact on us, unwittingly, in the adult world. The 1960s "Strange Situation" study, which Seigel spoke about was particularly interesting and has similarly intrigued anyone I've described it to.

I'd like to return to this book in a couple of years.

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May 22, 2013 Keri rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, couldn-t-finish, non-fiction

I tried this, I really made a good effort but it was just too technical. Not what I was looking for. I found I was losing interest quickly each time I tried. The narrator also had a voice that was weird and not easy to listen to. This just wasn't the book for me. I love non-fiction but I felt like I was in a college science class and this was dry required reading being taught by a professor I just didn't like.

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About Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel (born September 2, 1957) is a clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine and Executive Director of the Mindsight Institute.

Siegel completed his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and his post-graduate medical education at UCLA. His training is in pediatrics and child, adolescent and adult psychiatry. Dr. Siegel is currently clinical professor of psychi...more

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Books by Daniel J. Siegel

The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind, Survive Everyday Parenting Struggles, and Help Your Family Thrive

The Developing Mind: How Relationships and the Brain Interact to Shape Who We Are

The Mindful Brain: Reflection and Attunement in the Cultivation of Well-Being

The Mindful Therapist: A Clinician's Guide to Mindsight and Neural Integration

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Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation

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