Anxiety constrains the lives of millions, leaving sufferers exhausted, stressed, and overwhelmed. And the things most people do to try to feel better'”avoiding feared situations, pushing worry out of mind'”only make the problem worse. Leading psychologists Susan M. Orsillo and Lizabeth Roemer provide a powerful new alternative: they help readers fundamentally change their relationship to anxiety. This book's clinically tested mindfulness practices are specifically tailored for anxiety in its many forms. With clarity and compassion, the authors describe how to gain awareness of anxious feelings without letting them escalate; reap the benefits for emotional and physical well-being; and open life to inspiring new possibilities. Loads of stories, self-quizzes, and step-by-step exercises all enhance the user friendliness of this expertly crafted approach.

Susan M. Orsillo, PhD, is Professor of Psychology and Director of Clinical Training at Suffolk University in Boston, and lives in the Boston area with her husband and two children. Lizabeth Roemer, PhD, is Professor of Psychology at the University of Massachusetts-Boston, and lives in the Boston area with her husband. Drs. Orsillo and Roemer have written and published extensively about mindfulness, anxiety, and psychotherapy, and have been involved in anxiety disorders research and treatment for over 20 years. They are coauthors of the acclaimed book for professionals Mindfulness- and Acceptance-Based Behavioral Therapies in Practice. With funding from the National Institutes of Health, they have spent the last decade developing the treatment approach that is the basis of this book.

Introduction: How This Book Will Help You 1. Understanding Fear and Anxiety: Turning toward Your Emotions 2. How Is Anxiety Getting in Your Way? 3. Changing Your Relationship with Anxiety: Embarking on a New Path 4. An Introduction to Mindfulness: Noticing a Skill You Already Possess 5. Developing the Skills of Mindfulness: How to Bring Kind Attention into Your Daily Life 6. Befriending Your Emotions 7. Using Mindfulness to Clarify Muddy Emotions 8. The Allure and Cost of Trying to Control Your Internal Experience 9. Acceptance and Willingness: Increasing Flexibility and Opening Up to New Possibilities 10. Clarifying What Matters to You and Setting a Course for Change 11. Bringing It All Together: Making a Commitment to Yourself 12. Overcoming Challenges to Cultivating Self-Compassion 13. Staying Open When the Going Gets Tough