Burns is the author of Feeling Good which uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to lift mood. This therapy is grounded in a theory of psychology that at the root of emotional troubles are distorted thinking. Untwist the thinking, the rest follows. I think there's a lot of truth in this take on psychology. All of us run "scripts" in our heads. Naturally if you put yourself down, keep saying in your mind that a situation is hopeless, the emotions will follow. In Intimate Connections, Burns argues that above all we need to work on ourselves before we reach out to others. Ironically, it's when we can stand on our own, be happy by ourselves, that we'll be attracted to others. To that end he provides examples, explanations and exercises to work towards personal mental health and healthy relationships. ( )