BSA Library
Self-improvement
 back to main library page (including how to borrow an item)
 Generally | Support groups | Voice & public speaking | NLP | Relaxation, stress & hypnosis
Generally
 AUDIO CD: BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, by Nick Tunbridge. Building self-esteem and creating a successful life as a person who stammers. 50 minute talk in which Nick describes how he used a range of motivational ideas and techniques. Review.
 BOOK: FEEL THE FEAR AND DO IT ANYWAY. How to turn your fear and indecision into confidence and action, by Susan Jeffers. Arrow (1987) 1991.
BOOK: AGREED! IMPROVE YOUR POWERS OF INFLUENCE, by Terry Gillen. This guide aims to show you how to influence your work colleagues easily and effectively so as to get what you want without unnecessary trouble. Pub: Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, 1999.
BOOK: LEADERSHIP SKILLS FOR BOOSTING PERFORMANCE, by Terry Gillen. How to improve staff performance by increasing motivation and developing the staff's potential. Also how to enhance your leadership skills, how to make difficult decisions and solve awkward problems. Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, 2002.
BOOK: MR JONES'S RULES FOR THE MODERN MAN, by Dylan Jones. 2006. General advice, sometimes humourous and often sensible, on how to solve many different problems in life. Not specifically designed for people who stammer, but 'How to keep cool under pressure' was written with stammering in mind. (The rules for mastering a stammer is an interview with Dylan Jones about his stammer.)
BOOK: THE MINDFUL WAY THROUGH DEPRESSION, by Mark Williams et. al. This book uses mindfulness as a way to attend to one's most difficult emotions and life experiences, and in that way break the cycle of chronic unhappiness. Guilford Press, 2007.
BOOK: YOUR PERFECT RIGHT. A guide to assertive living, by R E Alberti and M Emmons. USA 1986
BOOK: THE USE OF THE SELF, by F.M. Alexander. Gollancz 1985. First published in 1932, this book is a classic exposition of Alexander's revolutionary theory of movement and body function. See also on Alexander technique the cassette and video below.
BOOK: A WOMAN IN YOUR OWN RIGHT - ASSERTIVENESS AND YOU by Anne Dickson (Quartet Books, London 1982) Anne Dickson defines assertiveness as the art of clear, honest, direct communication. Assertiveness helps you kick the need for approval; helps you make your own decisions. It helps you evaluate your behaviour in the light of others' criticism, rather than denying it defensively or being demolished by it.
BOOK: IN OUR OWN HANDS - A BOOK OF SELF-HELP THERAPY by Sheila Ernst and Lucy Goodison (The Women's Press, London 1981). The book describes all kinds of therapy, from bodywork to psychoanalytically-based therapies, shows with sensitivity and clarity how to use those techniques which can actually free us and help us, and gives exercises to use in a self-help situation.
BOOK: PSYCHOLOGY FOR LIVING: personal construct therapy for professionals and clients. By Peggy Dalton and Gavin Dunnett. This book tries to make the ideas of George Kelly about personal construct theory accessible to a wider public. These theories have many practical applications, including in relation to stammering. John Wiley, 1992.
BOOK: INQUIRING MAN: The Psychology of Personal Construct by D Bannister and F Fransella. Penguin (1971) 1980
BOOK: THE SOCIAL SKILLS HANDBOOK. Practical activities for Social Communication by Sue Hutchings, Jayne Comins and Judy Offiler. Winslow Press 1991
 CASSETTE: SOCIAL SKILLS TRAINING, a talk by Speech Therapist Lena Rustin at a BSA Open Day in Nottingham, April 1982.
BOOK: SOCIAL SKILLS AND PERSONAL PROBLEM SOLVING. A handbook of methods by Priestley, McGuire, Flegg, Hemsley and Welham. Tavistock Publications 1978
Support & Self-help groups
(Link to our main Self-help Groups page)
BOOK: STARTING A SUPPORT GROUP, by the Canadian Speak Easy charity. A4 format 72 pages. Helpful advice on how to start and facilitate support groups.
BOOK: TWO WORLDS - SELF HELP GROUPS AND PROFESSIONALS, By Judy Wilson (available from BASW Trading Ltd, Publications Department, 16 Kent Street, Birmingham B5 6RD) Review.
BOOK: BUILDING SOCIAL CAPITAL: self-help in a 21st century welfare state. Mai Wann. Review.
BOOK: SELF HELP GROUPS - GETTING STARTED/KEEPING GOING by Judy Wilson. Longmans 1986. Practical guidance on organising and keeping going a self help group.
Voice and public speaking
BOOK: HOW TO CONQUER YOUR FEARS OF SPEAKING BEFORE PEOPLE, by John C. Harrison. 397 page A4 size manual - "a comprehensive program designed especially for people who stutter". 2004. Reviews.
BOOK: BE HEARD NOW! - how to compel rapt attention every time you speak By Lee Glickstein with Carol Costello. The revolutionary Transformational Speaking Circles approach to authentic public presence - for leaders, communicators, and anyone called to hold forth. Leeway Press 1996. 204 pages.
CASSETTE: AN INTRODUCTION TO SPEAKING CIRCLES, by Lee Glickstein.
BOOK: HOW TO SPEAK WELL IN BUSINESS, by John Dalby. Comprehensive book on vocal technique. Not confined merely to vocal exercises, it contains a wealth of information on almost every aspect of speaking. Aardvark Press 1993. Review.
BOOK AND CASSETTE: THE VOICE WORKBOOK. Use your voice with confidence, by Angela Caine. Headway 1991. Easy clear exercises demonstrated with an accompanying casette and practical advice on improving your voice. Review.
CASSETTE: PAINFREE PUBLIC SPEAKING. Cassette aimed at improving speech in business or social speaking occasions. Review.
BOOK: THE RIGHT WAY TO SPEAK IN PUBLIC by A. G. Mears. Paperfronts 1989
BOOK: CHANGE YOUR VOICE - CHANGE YOUR LIFE. "A quick, simple plan for finding and using your natural, dynamic voice", by Dr. Morton Cooper. 1985.
BOOK: IMPROVE YOUR SPEECH, by Audrey M. Bullard. Advice on how to improve your speech and how to speak well in public. Anthony Blond 1960.
Neuro-linguistic programming
BOOK: CHANGE MANAGEMENT EXCELLENCE: PUTTING NLP TO WORK by Martin Roberts. How to achieve excellent change management using a variety of techniques, and including concepts and applications useful for anyone involved in change in a business setting. Crown House Publishing, 2006.
BOOK: THE SOURCEBOOK OF MAGIC: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO NLP CHANGE PATTERNS, by Michael L Hall. A resource for coaches and therapists, this book arose from a desire to collect in one place the basic or core NLP patterns. Also guidelines for knowing what to do when and why. Crown House Publishing, 2004.
BOOK: MASTERING BLOCKING AND STUTTERING: A COGNITIVE APPROACH TO ACHIEVING FLUENCY by Bob G Bodenhamer. Based on concepts of NLP/Neuro-Semantics. Crown House Publishing, 2004. Reviews.
BOOK: THE USER'S MANUAL FOR THE BRAIN, VOLUME 2: MASTERING SYSTEMIC NLP, by Michael L Hall & Bob G. Bodenhamer. Continues the NLP practitioner course from Volume 1 and includes new work on meta-programmes, meta-states and submodalities. Crown House Publishing, 2003.
BOOK: GAMES BUSINESS EXPERTS PLAY: WINNING AT THE GAMES OF BUSINESS, by Michael L. Hall. How to manage your behaviour, using NLP techniques, to succeed in business. Crown House Publishing, 2002.
BOOK: COMMUNICATION MAGIC: EXPLORING THE STRUCTURE AND MEANING OF LANGUAGE by L. Michael Hall. A revised edition of 'The Secrets of Magic' - how your life can be enriched by having complete linguistic control over how you communicate. Crown House Publishing, 2001.
BOOK: THE SPIRIT OF NLP: THE PROCESS, MEANING AND CRITERIA FOR MASTERING NLP, by Michael L. Hall. This revised edition presents the core of a Richard Bandler master training, and includes mastery of the neurology of NLP and developmental work associated with sleight of mouth patterns. Crown House Publishing, 2000.
BOOK: THE USER'S MANUAL FOR THE BRAIN by Bob G. Bodenhamer and L. Michael Hall. A manual covering the NLP Practitioner Course, and containing an account of latest developments in neuro-linguistic programming. Crown House Publishing, 1999.
BOOK: INTRODUCING NEURO-LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING. The new psychology of Personal Excellence, by Joseph O'Conner and John Seymour. Mandela 1990
BOOK: THE BRAIN THAT CHANGES ITSELF, by Norman Doidge. This book outlines the evolving findings of the science of "neuroplasticity" and discusses the ability of brains to repair themselves through the power of positive thinking. Penguin Books, 2007. (The book is discussed in a report of a BSA conference call with Bob Bodenhamer: Creating mental pathways.)
Relaxation, stress & hypnosis
Please note that some of the relaxation cassettes may use controversial techniques. It is up to you to decide if they are of any help to you. Your comments are always useful.
BOOK: HYPNOSIS FOR CHANGE. A practical manual of hypnotic techniques by Josie Hadley and Carol Staudacher. USA 1989.
BOOK: STRESS: WHY IT HAPPENS AND HOW TO OVERCOME IT, by Peter Tyrer. Sheldon Press 1980. Explains the difference between healthy and harmful stress. With the aid of simple questions Tyrer identifies personality types and how each is likely to react to stress.
BOOK: SELF HELP FOR YOUR NERVES, by Claire Weekes. Book by a practicing physician for people suffering from acute "nervous troubles" and all who feel the effects of anxiety in their daily lives. Fletcher and Son Ltd 1974.
BOOKLET: YOU CAN CHANGE: A SELF HELP GUIDE TO THE MANAGEMENT OF STRESS, Diane Eaglen & Debs Plummer. Booklet giving advice on the management of stress and how to improve self esteem and assertiveness. Fosse Health Trust
BOOK: RELEASE FROM NERVOUS TENSION, by David Harold Fink. How to release yourself from nervous tension. Unwin Brothers 1951.
AUDIO CD: MINDFULNESS MEDITATION, by Renee and Peter Byrne, 2002. A CD which aims to help you achieve greater control and more fluency through inner calmness and tranquility. More...
TWO AUDIO CD's AND BOOKLET: RELAX AND SPEAK: YOGA RELAXATION THERAPY, East West Yoga (Kamal Obiorah), 2002. A new treatment to improve your fluency and overcome your stuttering by the use of meditation, yoga postures, visualisation practices, breathing and relaxation techniques. See also our Meditation, yoga, relaxation page.
CASSETTE: THE BREATH AS THE KEY. By Jenni Adams. Relaxation method aimed at encouraging a sensitive communication between mind and body leading to improved health and wellbeing. 1986.
CASSETTE: RELAXATION FOR EVERYDAY LIVING. By Mary Barfield. Non hypnotic relaxation tape. Features lower costal yoga type breathing. 1975.
CASSETTE: HUMOR POWER, by Thomas Condon. Ericksonian hypnosis for more humour in your life, overcoming difficulties, being more creative and flexible and improving your communication.
CASSETTE: DEEP RELAXATION AS AN AID IN SPEECH THERAPY, by P J Cauldwell. Lake Isle relaxation 1983.
CASSETTE: NATURAL SELF CONFIDENCE by Carol Erickson and Thomas Condon. Ericksonian hypnosis for deep inner confidence, problem solving, fulfillment and personal power.
CASSETTE: PROGRESSIVE RELAXATION AND BREATHING, by Matthew McKay and Patrick Fanning. Self help advice on relaxation and breathing.
CASSETTE: LEARN TO RELAX, by Nial Reynolds. Relaxation tape. 1986.
CASSETTE: DEEP SLEEP, by Nial Reynolds. Relaxation tape to aid sleeping difficulties. 1985.
CASSETTE: CREATIVE THINKING - SELF HYPNOSIS. Pilgrim Tapes. Self hypnosis tape helping you achieve whatever positive objectives you have in mind.
CASSETTE: LIFELINES: SELF HYPNOSIS. Pilgrim Tapes. Self hypnosis tape helping you achieve whatever positive objectives you have in mind.
CASSETTE: STUTTERING - SELF HYPNOSIS. Pilgrim Tapes. Self hypnosis tape aimed at stammerers.
CASSETTE: SELF HELP RELAXATION, by Jane Madders. Short and practical cassette featuring muscle relaxation.
CASSETTE: RELAX, by Tara Patel.
CASSETTE: SLOW DOWN, YOU'RE GOING TOO FAST: STRESS AND THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE, by Sue Thame. Practical ways to relax. Stress and the Alexander technique. Booklet to accompany. 1987.
 VIDEO: FROM STRESS TO FREEDOM WITH THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE
VIDEO: BAREFOOT SHIATSU by Shizuko Yamamot
There is a selection of BBC and other network programmes on stammering available to view at the BSA office; all inquiries to the librarian.
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