Book:

Mindfulness based therapy for managing fatigue

Fiona Mckechnie 2023

Published By Jessica Kingsly Publlishers, UK

publishers website

published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers

This book is timely and well written. The author has extensive knowledge of supporting people with fatiguing illnesses.
The book is well laid out and can be read chronologically chapter by chapter or dipped into for specific information, advice, and guidance, and is divided into four parts.

Part 1 begins by outlining the current understanding of the health conditions ME/CFS, fibromyalgia and Long Covid.

Part 2 discusses the specifics of the practices, course themes, intentions and adaptations.

Part 3 considers how a mindfulness-based approach can be translated into everyday life including rest, activity and setback management.

Part 4 is a week-by-week breakdown of the mindfulness programme.

The author clearly states who the book could help and the range of illnesses considered. The diagrams and summaries throughout the book act to illustrate and remind of the issues or advice discussed. Each chapter is readable and not overlong, wherever appropriate is supported by experience, evidence, and best practice. The mini case vignettes are very useful to get a feeling of the day-to-day issues and complexity of living with fatiguing illnesses.

The breakdown of the programme with session content is very comprehensive. There is a thorough resources and reference list for those wanting to explore the content and concepts further.
 

I would highly recommend this book to those with fatiguing illness, practitioners, and healthcare professionals to understand and practice mindfulness-based therapy.

Review by Professor Diane L Cox, Professor Emerita of Occupational Therapy, University of Cumbria.

Blurb

Based on an 8-week Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy programme, this guide addresses the increasing need for adapted mindfulness in the management of ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, Long Covid, and other chronic fatigue conditions.

This book enables practitioners to adapt their teaching to accommodate specific challenges that come with fatigue, including  strategies to manage brain fog, rest, movement, daily activity, and associated difficult thoughts and emotions.

The experience of people living with fatiguing health conditions has informed every step of the development of this programme. The book includes a chapter that documents an individual’s experience of the course and how mindfulness has helped her.

The emphasis throughout is on practical guidance including detailed week-by-week session plans. Filled with helpful diagrams and illustrations, practitioners can use this guide to widen the scope of who they can reach and gently empower clients living with often isolating conditions on how to apply this approach to their everyday lives.

  • "What you hold in your hands is based on more than two decades of clinical experience combined with more than three decades of personal engagement in mindfulness practice and study. I am deeply confident that if the wisdom in this book is brought to life, it will transform the lives of people who participate.’"

    Professor Rebecca Crane, PhD, Director, Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice, Bangor University

  • “This step-by-step description of a mindfulness-based approach to ME/CFS will enable more clinicians and teachers to offer these tools more confidently and effectively.”

    Dh Taravajra LLM, MA in Mindfulness-Based Approaches Bangor University; Sussex Mindfulness Centre

  • Fiona McKechnie’s book is a very welcome resource and inspiration for those of us that work with deep fatigue in our patients and in ourselves. Drawing upon the established models of MBSR and MBCT, that deeply cultivate the qualities of calm and insight, curiosity, acceptance and compassion she demonstrates how hope and change may be found in the face of the seemingly intractable.

    Nigel Wellings, author of “why can’t I meditate” and other books.

    https://www.nigelwellings.co.uk/

  • Alongside Fiona's voice we also hear from people with lived experience which brings an added richness to the text.

    This book, written by a very experienced Occupational Therapist holds an absolute wealth of information. Each chapter is heavily referenced demonstrating the extensive research Fiona has completed alongside her clinical work. She generously shares detailed information about what she actually does in practice, providing the reader with guidance and resources that can immediately be used in their own work. I would highly recommend this book! goes here

    `Beverly Knops author of “Living with ME and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome”

  • This book is a treasure trove of professional expert opinion coupled with examples from lived experience of those with these debilitating conditions.

    It offers practical and achievable strategies using mindfulness to adapt how to live with compassion and awareness amidst our symptoms of fatigue/pain These are framed in accessible theoretical and clinical perspectives with helpful diagrams and examples.

    -- Katherine/Nirajadhi Sewell Ordained buddhist/ 20 years living with ME/CFS