Dr. Leahy on Regret
Dr. Leahy’s new book, If Only…Finding Freedom from Regret, is now available.
Read Reviews
"Our culture tells us to idolize those who live with no regrets, but we might as well celebrate those
who put their fingers in their ears! We cannot learn from the past without facing our mistakes. This
wise and well-written book will help you do exactly that--without getting tangled up in 'woulda,
coulda, shoulda."
--Steven C. Hayes, PhD, author of A Liberated Mind
"Dr. Leahy took me on a sensitive and detailed exploration of my own regrets, hesitations, and
difficulties with making decisions and evaluating risks. He shows how to liberate yourself from
negativity and turn it into energy for growth. A thoroughly enjoyable book, laced with humor and very
useful. I will refer back to it often."
--David F., Dover-Foxcroft, Maine
"Regret can defeat us—or it can be a platform for increasing courage, wisdom, and self-acceptance.
In this easy-to-understand book, one of the world’s leading cognitive therapists skillfully guides us to
come to terms with the setbacks and disappointments of life. Dr. Leahy combines his vast clinical
experience with many clarifying examples. You won't regret reading this book!"
--Paul Gilbert, PhD, FBPsS, OBE, author of The Compassionate Mind
"This book is for you if you are haunted by regrets that keep you awake at night. Dr. Leahy helps you
stop beating yourself up. Instead, he encourages you to make amends in the present and act
differently in the future. I have found this book so helpful!"
--Martin S., Oakland, California
"Internationally acclaimed psychologist Robert Leahy unravels the mysteries of one of the most
common--yet least understood--emotions. This book is uniquely innovative, insightful, clearheaded,
and comprehensible. It is packed with examples and practical guidance that can transform regret
from a debilitating state to a productive way of living."
--David A. Clark, PhD, coauthor of The Anxiety and Worry Workbook
"All too often, regret leads us down a negative spiral of thoughts and emotions. In this inviting book,
Dr. Leahy presents strategies to use regret as a force for problem solving and change, rather than
letting it disrupt your life."
--Patricia A. Resick, PhD, ABPP, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University
"Dr. Leahy has done it again! This superb book provides answers to important questions. How do we
deal with past decisions that come back to haunt us? When does regret hold us back and how can it
help us move forward? I highly recommend this book. It just might change your life."
--Stefan G. Hofmann, PhD, author of The Anxiety Skills Workbook
"It is easy to oversimplify regret as a problem that only dampens our happiness. This highly readable
book maps out a broader story. We can’t avoid regret entirely, but we can change the way we think
about it. Dr. Leahy illuminates how regret comes about, how we can gain some control over it, and
even how to harness it as a tool for learning and growth. Everybody has regrets—and everybody will
find something useful in this book."-
--George A. Bonanno, PhD, author of The End of Trauma
"We all find ourselves, at one time or another, experiencing regret. Too often, regret traps us in
destructive self-loathing and cycles of rumination about 'what might have been.' Grounded in
science, this brilliant book guides us on how regret can be a valuable tool for personal growth. Dr.
Leahy, a psychologist and renowned author, weaves his extensive clinical experience with the
science to gently and skillfully guide us through how we get stuck in regret and how to unstick
ourselves. This wonderful guide, rich with real-life examples, is an invaluable resource for us
all."
--Allison G. Harvey, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley
"Dr. Leahy is a master clinician, and it shows. His writing on this timeless topic is both illuminating
and useful. This book is not only a practical go-to for those struggling with regret, it is also a sage
guide to life's problems in general."
--Thomas E. Joiner, PhD, The Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor of Psychology, Florida State University
Dr. Leahy’s presentations at conferences on regret: Click here
See Dr. Leahy’s blogs on regret: Click here
Watch Dr. Leahy discuss regret in these videos:
See Dr. Leahy discuss regret in these interviews:
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