Prisoners of Belief: Exposing and Changing Beliefs That Control Your Life

Belief is ultimately the key to happiness. Your most deeply held core beliefs are the bedrock of your personality. They determine your feelings of worth, competence, belonging, lovability, security, trust, and self-reliance. Negative core beliefs can imprison you behind bars of conviction.

Written by the authors of Self-Esteem, this book shows you how to become a personal scientist, test your core beliefs objectively, subtly shift your more negative convictions, and escape from the prison of belief to a freer, more satisfying life.

"A book that will help people come face-to-face with core beliefs, and examine and challenge them. This new approach has the potential to help many whose lives are darkened by negative beliefs about themselves and the world."
—Martha Davis, PhD, Psychiatry Department, Kaiser-Permanente Medical Center, Santa Clara, California

Matthew McKay, Ph.D., is a professor at the Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA. He has authored and coauthored numerous books, including The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook, Self-Esteem, Thoughts and Feelings, When Anger Hurts, and ACT on Life Not on Anger. His books combined have sold more than 2.5 million copies. McKay received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology. In private practice, he specializes in the cognitive behavioral treatment of anxiety and depression.

Patrick Fanning is a professional writer in the mental health field. the founder of a men's support group in northern California. He has authored and coauthored of eight self-help books, including Self-Esteem, Thoughts and Feelings, Couple Skills, and When Anger Hurts Your Kids.