Being the Change: A Guide for Advocates and Activists on Staying Healthy, Inspired, and Driven

Being the Change is written for activists who work in organizations with social missions, and those who are involved in social change outside of their jobs. This book is a practical guide that helps readers maintain and enhance their ability to be effective agents of change.

“The book is geared specifically toward people engaged in social action and justice work... This is about how to maintain your ability to make the world a better place.”—NPR, On the Record 

Aligns with APA Divisions 1, 9, 18, and 48

You can't take care of the world without taking care of yourself. Although therapy can often help alleviate anxiety or depression, activists can also apply therapy-based strategies as part of their self-care. This book ​provides empirically supported strategies from cognitive behavior therapies and other psychological interventions for coping with the challenges of difficult, yet meaningful work.

Readers will learn how to clarify their values, identify their strengths, manage their emotions and relationships, and incorporate self-care as part of their personal and professional development. A rich catalog of case examples, exercises, and actionable ideas make this book a comprehensive toolkit for people who want to take their social engagement to the next level in a healthy and productive way.

Dara G. Friedman-Wheeler, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist in Maryland and research psychologist at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. She is also on the speakers' faculty of the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy. She conducts workshops on CBT around the country and virtually and conducts workshops on "taking care of yourself while taking care of the world" for those doing social justice or advocacy work.

Jamie S. Bodenlos, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist in New York and professor of psychological science at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY. She is a fellow at the Society of Behavioral Medicine. She investigates and publishes in the areas of behavioral medicine, mindfulness, and health behaviors. She teaches courses in cognitive behavior therapy, clinical psychology, and behavioral medicine. In addition to scholarship and teaching, Dr. Bodenlos uses CBT techniques in clinical work she does in the community.