South Whitehall Author has New Self-Help Book

In her latest book, author Judy Belmont uses swiss cheese as a metaphor to help her readers get through life's holes -- instead of getting stuck in them.

Belmont, a psychotherapist and corporate wellness trainer who resides in South Whitehall, has co-authored the self-help book, "The Swiss Cheese Theory of Life," with health and wellness speaker Lora Shor.

The book, available through amazon.com, provides 10 practical tips for coping with life's curveballs. It identifies areas in which people often seek counseling help -- and the ways to lead healthy, positive lives.

Among the bite-sized advice:

* Give up regret. ("Fondue can never turn back into a block of cheese.")

* Transform failure into success. ("There is no such thing as a perfect slice of cheese.")

* Make people connections. ("Enjoy the wine and cheese party.")

* Forgive, show gratitude. ("Smile and say, 'cheese.'")

* Achieve life balance. (How do you slice the 'cheese wheel of life?')

Belmont had previously authored books for fellow therapists, but she was looking to create a book that would be easy to read, that would provide tips that could immediately be applied, and that would be relevant to everyone.

"I wanted to have a user-friendly book...but convey meaningful and serious information in a palatable way," Belmont says.

On the issue of regret, Belmont says for example, many people will live in a world of "if onlys," defining themselves by their failures instead of their dreams. But, she asks, "Who goes through life without some dreams that didn't come through?"  The authors write: "Build on your woulda, coulda, shouldas!" 

Belmont loves to use metaphors, primarily because she's found that they have helped her clients to get "unstuck." The swiss cheese metaphor for life works well, she says, because just as with swiss cheese, it's the holes, or challenges, in life that give people character.

"Life is not fair and predictable," Belmont says. "Life has holes. It's how you get through them that counts."

In addition to providing practical advice, guides and questions-and-answers, the book also draws on real "client" examples. "It makes it more real if you hear a story," Belmont says. 

The book's packaging also makes it appealing for readers, with playful cartoons and illustrations.

The book sells for $19.99 in black and white, and $24.99 in color. It is available on amazon.com, judybelmont.com and at C. Leslie Smith at .