Dr. Brooks’ Books

Drs. Sam Goldstein and Robert Brooks, following up on their earlier book about raising resilient children on the autism spectrum, have written a comprehensive guide designed to empower autistic adults by fostering resilience in their daily lives.  The book takes a strength-based approach, focusing on practical strategies to navigate stress, anxiety, and communication and interpersonal difficulties to thrive in a neurotypical world.  It offers tools for rewriting negative self-perceptions, nurturing emotional and social resilience, and forming meaningful connections.

Drs. Goldstein and Brooks, together with co-authors Donna DiMaio Rooney and Molly Anthony, discuss raising children with a diagnosis of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD). Given their intense irritability and explosive outbursts these children present major challenges for parents, teachers, child care and mental health professionals. Sam and Bob describe their experiences working with children with DMDD and their parents and teachers while Donna and Molly, both mothers of a child with DMDD, share their experiences and insights in raising a child with DMDD. This book provides a beacon of hope as well as a comprehensive resource for those parenting, teaching, or working with children with DMDD. Key areas in the book include (a) evidence-based approaches to assessing and treating children with DMDD from parent training and therapeutic interventions to medication management, (b) biological, psychological, and environmental factors contributing to DMDD, and (c) eight guideposts for nurturing resilience in children with DMDD to help them to manage their emotions, develop problem-solving skills, and cultivate self-discipline and empathy. The book is a testament to the power of resilience and the potential for growth and transformation in a child and family’s life. While the book focuses on children with DMDD, it extends beyond that diagnosis and is relevant for dealing with a range of emotional and behavioral struggles faced by children.

Drs. Goldstein and Brooks with illustrations by Anastasia Sweat have written a book for children based on their book Tenacity in Children. It is designed to be an engaging, visually stimulating graphic book that combines elements of storytelling with powerful educational messages. It narrates the adventures of Poppy and Graham as they embark on a journey filled with challenges and opportunities to learn about resilience and the seven instincts of tenacity.

Drs. Goldstein and Brooks examine how multiple generations of parents and caregivers raised children to become successful adults.  Tenacity in Children: Nurturing the Seven Instincts of Lifetime Success identifies seven instincts or inborn attributes that include the rudimentary forms of intuitive optimism, intrinsic motivation, compassionate empathy, simultaneous intelligence, genuine altruism, virtuous responsibility, and measured fairness.  The book describes realistic and practical strategies to nurture these instincts, which are housed within the concept of “tenacity.”  Tenacity in Children provides a solid foundation to prepare children for a resilient, meaningful, and happy future.  Psychologist Maurice Elias wrote, “This book will change our schools, our approach to mental health and parenting, and how we conduct civic life.”

This book serves as a rich resource not only for parents but also for researchers, practitioners, and graduate students in mental health and public health disciplines as well as many interrelated fields as we all strive to promote the well-being of children.

Dr. Brooks and David Richman, a coach to many of the most successful advisors in the United States, have written a sequel to their 2010 Charismatic Advisor: Becoming a Source of Strength in the Lives of Your Clients. Deeply rooted in the tenets of positive psychology, their new book describes dynamics and strategies for creating “motivating environments” and effective relationships with clients. While the many examples and conversations focus on the financial advisory relationship, the principles and strategies are applicable to all of those in the role of delivering advice to others and in leadership positions.

Many individuals have difficulty dealing with issues related to their own mortality, thereby lessening a sense of purpose to their own lives. Drs. Brooks and Glenn Wilkerson have assembled insights from thought leaders in the fields of medicine, mental health, and religion, as well as hospice and funeral directors, and those who have faced life-threatening situations. The writers and editors of this book share their honest, open views about death, dying, the possibilities of an afterlife, and leading a meaningful life.

For additional information about the book, including the Contents and Preface, please visit our webpage.

Drs. Brooks and Goldstein apply their approach to raising resilient children to youngsters with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). They describe the characteristics of children with ASD, the many challenges they and their parents and other caregivers face each day, and specific strategies for helping children with ASD to develop a “social resilient mindset,” a mindset that is associated with developing friendships, finding and identifying each child’s “islands of competence,” and developing those skills that will help youngsters on the autism spectrum become more successful and resilient.

Dr. Brooks and David Richman, a coach to many of the most successful financial advisors in the United States, describe the qualities that help advisors to have a positive impact on the lives of their clients. Drawing from a resilience framework, Brooks and Richman offer practical strategies to assist advisors to create “motivating environments” in which they will become more effective with their clients. They also describe ways in which advisors can reinforce their own “stress hardiness.” Insights from successful advisors are included. While the examples and discussions revolve around the financial advisory relationship, the principles articulated are applicable to all those in the position of delivering advice to others.

Drs. Kristy Hagar, Goldstein, and Brooks offer practical strategies for parents, educators, and health-care professionals to improve a child’s social development. This book is complete with scales to evaluate a child’s social behavior and practical activities to help develop important social skills such as how to make and keep friends, how to manage conflicts, and how to behave appropriately in social situations. The activities emphasize building a child’s self-esteem and resilience.

All children get angry at times. Problems arise when anger dominates the lives of our children and is expressed in inappropriate physical and verbal behaviors. This book by Drs. Goldstein, Brooks, and Sharon Weiss describes a seven step program that parents can use to help their children and themselves deal more effectively with anger. Parents are informed about the primary reasons that children become angry, how to assess when children require help, the importance of involving children in interventions to lessen anger, and ways to strengthen a child’s coping strategies in order to minimize angry outbursts and build self-esteem, confidence, hope, and resilience.

In their follow-up book to Raising Resilient Children, Drs. Brooks and Goldstein elaborate and expand upon their theory of resilience by offering realistic answers to the many questions typically asked by the thousands of parents they have interacted with through their workshops, seminars, lectures, and clinical practice. They discuss important topics, including: helping children feel special and appreciated, teaching children how to solve problems and make decisions, assisting children to deal effectively with both success and failure, and encouraging self-discipline, self-control, compassion, and interpersonal skills.

A certain degree of worry is normal. It serves as self-protection. However, when worry gets out of control and causes a child to become overly fearful, anxious, and stressed, parents must find ways to help their child cope. In the past year, with the horrors of September 11, more children appear more worried about issues related to safety and life events. This book by Drs. Goldstein, Hagar, and Brooks provides a seven step program that parents can use to help their children worry less. Parents are educated about the nature of worry, how to recognize when children require help, the importance of creating a “worry less” plan, and ways to strengthen a child’s coping strategies in order to reduce worry and build self-esteem, confidence and resilience.

Dr. Brooks presents a framework and strategies for reinforcing learning, intrinsic motivation, self-esteem, self-discipline, and caring in students.  He describes ways in which to integrate the reinforcement of these qualities with all areas of the curriculum with students of all ages.  In addition, he highlights the lifelong impact that teachers have on the lives of their students.  This book is also relevant for parents, mental health professionals, and other professionals who work with children.