Book Review
Focusing review
Dan Catterall, LLPC - December 3, 2020
Focusing by Eugene T. Gendlin is a short book which offers a simple yet powerful tool for
increasing our self-knowledge. The author outlines numerous examples and a step-by-step
guide of how we can achieve a “felt sense” of issues in our lives—a new perspective which can
be both transformational and freeing.
I first came across this book 6 years ago when my therapist recommended it to me. I found that
practicing the “Focusing” process helped me to see past my self-judgements and fears, and
look at situations more openly. This unlocked an inner wisdom which I didn’t know I had. To
this day, I practice Focusing whenever I feel “stuck” on a problem in my life.
Much like the therapist who recommended this book to me, I have begun recommending
“Focusing” to many clients. The simplicity of the technique, and the clarity with which it is
explained make it accessible to nearly everyone. Although it may not work for everyone, or for
every problem, for some it is exactly what they need in the moment. Follow the link to the book
below, and find out for yourself!
Find this book and others on the Helios Library (from Amazon)
Girl Go Wash Your Face review
Chastity Walker, LMSW - November 4, 2020
“Girl Go Wash Your Face” by Rachel Hollis is an inspirational and motivational book, addressing the struggles of women across the world.
Often as females, we take on many multifaceted roles, such as: Mother, Wife, Boss, Friend, Neighbor, Co-Worker, Chief, Housekeeper, etc.
In doing so, however, it’s often easy for us to obtain a lack of balance and feel lost, unproductive, and unfilled.
“Girl Go Wash your Face” provides strategies in helping women of all kinds to challenge their misconceptions and
re-program their negative thought patterns, to assist them in obtaining a joyful and productive state of being.
“Girl Go Wash Your Face” will confirm to you, that you can maintain your role, hustle, and re-ignite inspiration in your life,
without implementing blame, guilt, or failure on yourself.
Find this book and others on the Helios Library (from Amazon)
The Secret review
Hetal Patel, MD, MPH - October 20, 2020
The law of attraction. The power of positive thoughts. The Secret. This book by Rhonda Byrne outlines
why it is so important that we are careful about the thoughts we have and the words we choose.
I read this book during my psychiatric residency—the first self help book I picked up.
It was a simple read, which was important because it was a nice gateway for me to engage in other self help books.
Not only was it a quick read, the concept was repeated over and over. While that may induce boredom in some,
for me, it really drilled into my psyche what I needed to do from that moment on.
I do believe that as a result of learning The Secret, and trying to practice it in daily living,
I have achieved peace and serenity. The Secret isn’t enough on its own, and you will surely get that
understanding when reading this book. I couple the power of positive thinking with many of the other tools
that are at my disposal—perhaps the law attracts me to those tools, who knows? It’s worth a shot.
It might just change your life the way it did mine.
Find this book and others on the Helios Library (from Amazon)
Adulthood for Beginners: All the Life Secrets Nobody Bothered to Tell You review
Jaimmie Koss, LLMSW - October 6, 2020
If you’re a reader then you know how books can have curative powers.
Sometimes a book will come along in your life and deliver a message you didn’t even know you needed.
At one particularly difficult transitional point in my life I found a book that provided me just that.
Adulthood for Beginners: All the Life Secrets Nobody Bothered to Tell You by Andy Boyle is a piece of comedic gold.
Boyle is an amature comedian, making the book an easy and hilarious read, sure to offer guidance to anyone that’s looking.
Filled to the brim with life advice, without coming across as a preachy self help book,
Boyle manages to provide readers with topics perfect for anyone transitioning from college life to young adulthood.
Covering an array of topics such as maintaining mental health, making friends, job interviews and goal setting, it really
is a book that all could benefit from.
Find this book and others on the Helios Library (from Amazon)
The Present review
Theresa Kelly, PA-C - September 26, 2020
The Present by Spencer Johnson is an engaging story of a young man’s journey to adulthood and his tireless search for “The Present,”
an elusive gift he first hears about from a wise elderly man. This Present, according to the old man, is the most
valuable gift a person could ever receive. Why? Because it is the one thing that does not change in challenging times.
As the young boy becomes a man, he grows disillusioned with work and his daily life. So, he returns to ask the elderly man to help
him find The Present. The old man responds, “only you have the power to find The Present for yourself.” Listening to the elderly man’s
advice, the younger man embarks on a worldwide search for this magical gift that remains unchanged in a changing world and holds the
secret to personal happiness and lifelong success.
The first time I read this book it gave me much to think about. We are all in such a hurry with our lives that we forget to take the time
to live in THE PRESENT. I think that this can contribute to anxiety and depression that already exists or exacerbate such symptoms.
This book is an easy read about being grateful for life and that it truly is a gift.
Find this book and others on the Helios Library (from Amazon)
The Gifts of Imperfection review
Abby Lewis, LMSW - September 21, 2020
I love when a book comes along and makes you think, “Yes. That’s it. Someone gets me.” That’s why I was happy when Brene Brown released the tenth anniversary of her first book, The Gifts of Imperfection. As a reader and a therapist, I have read quite a number of self-improvement books. Few have made the impression of this one. Brown’s message is simple, there are no prerequisites for worthiness. What is it that makes this message so difficult for us to believe?
As a researcher, Brown writes about what she has learned in her decades of work. If this sounds like a dry read, don’t worry, it isn’t. She writes her book in a way that sounds like your best friend, sitting at your kitchen table and helping you put the world to rights. She talks about the importance of accepting yourself, as you are, and helps us learn how to do so, by sharing what has made this difficult for her and many others.
We live in a world that emphasizes being busy as a status symbol. Deciding to accept ourselves as we are and allow ourselves to rest and play almost seems like a revolutionary act. Brene Brown’s book walks us through how to allow ourselves to be who we are and love ourselves in the process. It’s a great read and one that I frequently recommend.
To celebrate the tenth anniversary addition, Brown has put together resources on her website. This includes an inventory to see where it may be helpful to pay particular attention and some tips on how to integrate the information into your life. The links for the inventory and the book are listed below.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It’s an easy read that has changed the way I think about myself and the world around me. I hope it does the same for you.
Take the Inventory
Find this book and others on the Helios Library (from Amazon)
