Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?

In the opening pages, Smith presents a scene from her therapy room. A young woman, having undergone transformational shifts over just a dozen appointments, realizes her own strength and ability to face challenges. This transformation isn’t attributed to prolonged therapy sessions or deep dives into her past, but rather to education about her own mental and emotional processes.

Smith emphasizes the transformative power of understanding one’s own mind, the value of evidence-based mental health education, and the profound realization many of her patients have expressed: “Why has nobody told me this before?”. She points out that many come into therapy believing they’re at the mercy of their emotions or inherent flaws in their character. With just a bit of education on how the mind works, these individuals often experience a shift towards hope, self-belief, and resilience.

Drawing a parallel between mental and physical health, Smith proposes that just as one would invest time in physical nutrition and exercise, it’s equally vital to nourish the mind. The tools and techniques presented in her book are described as “life skills” rather than therapy skills, emphasizing their universal applicability. They’re meant to be a beacon, especially during challenging times, and a way to nurture good mental health.