Recovering The Self: A Journal of Hope and Healing (Vol. II, No. 2)

Edited by Ernest Dempsey with Victor Volkman
Loving Healing Press (2010)
ISBN 9781615990405
Reviewed by Carol Hoyer, PhD, for Reader Views (04/10)


At one time or another during our lifetime, we all will experience traumatic events that will have a serious impact on how we choose to live our lives. Through voices of several contributors, this volume addresses topics such as abuse, neglect, death and dying, as well as substance abuse. What we choose to do about this is another story. Each contributor honestly addresses some of these issues that have impacted them, or someone they loved, and what they did to start healing themselves.

There wasn’t one story or poem that stood out, as they all addressed issues we encounter daily. In each article I could see a little of myself and felt like the authors were reading my mind. Even as a professional in the psychology field, I got an “ah ha” from each reading.  I particularly liked that these inspiring stories were not “you poor thing,” or “I told you so.”  Each related events, how they handled them and how they made changes. Changes start out slowly; denial is such a big factor in how individuals handle events in their lives. Do others want us to change or keep us in the downward spiral?

Frankly, I never knew this Journal existed. I would hope that each professional or individual who is looking at making us healthy will have this in their library and use it as homework to start making healthy choices and recovery.  I highly recommend “Recovering The Self: A Journal of Hope and Healing (Vol. II, No. 2).

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