Mental Health Books

This book should be required reading for anyone with even a remote interest in neurology or mental health. You will never again have the same response to mental health topics.

usualy people conect allergy with something that is only cause headach,neusia,or a rash. but how many of you (the readers) are conecting allergy to a disturb mental state, or one type of schizophrenia?.there are many sections in this book that are all explaining the allergy from the roots and the way it should be treated through the rotation diets combined with specific suplements. it is all explained in an easy to follow-way, and a lot of case histories are covered.an allergy discusion is not complete without this book.

every now and then a book opens a door and sheds new light on life, thus enlarging my understanding and vision. This was one. It improved my life and helped change my practice. Philpott brings together a great deal of useful information.

After 5 years of my brother being diagnosed with schyzophrenia and coming in and out of mental institutions, this book came into the hands of my mother, who took him (when he was 23 years old) to Dr. Philpott's Hospital, at the time in St. Petersburg, Fla. To shorten, my brother is now 41 years old, has 3 children and has proved Dr. Philpott's stating he had cured 100% of the cases of "schyzophrenia" that came to his hands. Psychiatrists related to pharmaceuticals, of course, have always denied this capacity. If anyone knows if Dr. Philpott's work is being continued please advise to help all the victims of pharmaceuticals.

Learning about Brain allergies has helped my son so much. He has food allergies which caused him to have seizures. It is well worth reading and learning about. Thanks for the very informative book.

Having experienced schizophrenia firsthand in my immediate family beginning in the 1950s, I was interested in seeing what medical explanations are being explored and what progress has been made regarding this devastating illness. This book beautifully presents necessary background data on brain function and on basic chemistry and genetics, and then gives lucidly presented information about new strategies and treatments. Various fields of medicine, genetics, and chemistry are coming together to present the real albeit complex picture of what these awful illnesses are about and how we can work to live with them or overcome them. Mental illness must be liberated from individual guilt, shame, and social stigma, which are still very strong in human society. Only knowledge of the facts can free us from these crippling attitudes, and this terrific book goes a long way to help. The author's PhD in literature also adds a humanistic touch to a scientific work, which I deeply appreciated.

BRAVE NEW BRAIN follows up the classic THE BROKEN BRAIN, both written by Dr. Nancy Andreasen. She is a recent winner of the National Medal of Science, and a great thinker in the fields of medicine and philosophy of medicine. The book is written for the general public so they will become part of the great revolution of knowledge in the neurosciences. She details not only traditional psychiatric illnesses, but expands this view into the neurological illnesses. This is important as now psychiatry and neurology begin to merge, each developing a new respect for the field of the other. She details how psychiatry cannot solve all of our modern day society's woes, but must turn these over to individuals to seek answers. A recommended book for any public or private library.

As a society we face, is it medicine or out of my house. We have some knowledge of medicine but what we don't have is knowldege of what to do with our nations poor, we need to think about this. Walking is important for people on medications but they don't tell you about this. What they don't tell you is not to drink coffee's etc. Or that many over the counters in general are bad. Our knowledge continues to grow as a society, however, there are many things we don't know. Nancy C Andreason gives a good review of things, and a well rounded perspective of things in her Brave New Brain. I am interested in also her genetics research as well. I believe the NAMI which she has mentioned is not the best helping organization though, and there is not much outside support or resources to help disabeled people which I think we need more of, when they don't have there families anymore. We need to think about how we are going to house homeless etc.

Having experienced schizophrenia firsthand in my immediate family beginning in the 1950s, I was interested in seeing what medical explanations are being explored and what progress has been made regarding this devastating illness. This book beautifully presents necessary background data on brain function and on basic chemistry and genetics, and then gives lucidly presented information about new strategies and treatments. Various fields of medicine, genetics, and chemistry are coming together to present the real albeit complex picture of what these awful illnesses are about and how we can work to live with them or overcome them. Mental illness must be liberated from individual guilt, shame, and social stigma, which are still very strong in human society. Only knowledge of the facts can free us from these crippling attitudes, and this terrific book goes a long way to help. The author's PhD in literature also adds a humanistic touch to a scientific work, which I deeply appreciated.

Nancy Andreasen is one of the top researchers in the field of Schizophrenia so is a good person to write this book. This is a very good book on the underlying causes of schizophrenia and other brain diseases and prospects better treatments and cures based on this knowledge. Great reading for a person who wants a better understanding of how the genetics revolution is impacting our knowledge of mental illness. Writen for a layman with some background or interest in science and biology.

This is a very informative book that has information that I haven't read in any other books. She helped you with your physical, emotional and spiritual struggles. I am very interested in natural health and have learned very much from Dr. Janet Maccaro's books. I have definitely made some serious changes and have discovered some natural remedies for some of my health issues. She is a Christian and looks at things from a Biblical perspective, which I appreciate since God created us and knows what it takes to heal us and keep us healthy.

This book has a lot of information about nutritional steps you can take to guard yourself from anxiety and stress. She talks about her very first panic attack and how she responded to it and what she did to make them cease happening. It has ideas for vitamin supplements and she lists what each one is used for when considering them for therapy. It gave me a few ideas, there is definetly more in this book than I can ever implement in my own life, but the few things I got from it are helping a lot, like GABA... This book also lists a lot of the health problems that anxiety causes, and warning signs for them as well as different ways to treat them with a good diet and vitamins, along with relaxation techniques. She also stresses the importance of a relationship with God through any struggle. This didn't seem like one of her larger emphases though.

I didn't think this book was organized very well. It has a table of contents in the front that lists where you can find things if you're referencing back to them, but it seems scattered and I had to rely on my memory of where something was located more than on the table of contents. This book has information about a LOT of vitamins, amino acids, and different foods and it would have been more helpful if there was an index that listed the exact page for every mention of a certain vitamin. I would recommend reading this with a highlighter, or small bookmarks that you can write on so you can know exactly where to look when you're referencing back.

All in all, I'm glad I read it. The suggestions and knowledge I gained from it have helped me consider what I should be doing to rid myself of the problems I'm having with anxiety.

I saw Dr. Maccaro on a television program talking about her book and GABA. I became very interested in what she was saying and decided to read her book. I am so glad I did! The book is loaded with great information on how stress affects our brain and body and how to overcome the health problems caused by stress with nutrition and the amino acid GABA. I have been in search of a "natural" replacement for HRT, which I have been on for nine years. I believe I have found that answer in Dr. Maccaro's book. So, get our your markers and get ready to learn some great things you can do for your body and well-being.

For anyone suffering with emotional pain and trauma , i tell you that you must read this book. Dr. Maccaro explains the dynamics of stress, anxiety and stress related illness so well because she herself walked through it. In this book she bares her heart and soul, as she lays out a protocol of amino acids, identifying the root cause of emotional pain and how to rebuild your stress weary body. There is a ton of applicable information. Her style of writing is suberb with continued emphasis on the importance of prayer in recovery. After applying her knowledge to my own struggle with anxiety and unrelenting stress, my life is worth living again!It is a Godsend.

This book is a must read book for those struggling with anxiety disorder and/or depression. While cognative behavioral therapy is vital to ones recovery, the information Dr. Janet shares on supplementing with amino acids/minerals/vitamins, is truly the missing link to a full recovery. I also greatly appreciated all the research and insight Dr. Janet included in this book. Especially the information on learning to maintain a balance in our lives physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

This book is written very well. It is easy to understand and very thorough.
Dr. Janet goes into explaining the "mind/body connection" and how ongoing stress can lead to anxiety, then to anxiety disorder, then panic attacks, depression and even a number of illnesses. The explaination of how this comes about and the advice given to help one onto the road to a healthier life, and to continue maintaining this healthy mind/body/spirit balance, is invaluable.
This book has been an answer to prayer and has been the missing link in my own recovery from anxiety disorder.
I am VERY grateful, to say the least, to Dr. Janet for her research and insight in producing this wonderful book. And again I highly recommend it to anyone seeking hope and help due to struggling with anxiety and/or depression.

A classic book written at the time psychiatry was undergoing a powerful shift in thinking. Psychiatry is still undergoing this shift, so if someone is interested in the history of the revolution THE BROKEN BRAIN needs to be consulted. It was written by one of the foremost thinkers and researchers in psychiatry today. This book documents the powerful new tools psychiatry had available to it by the 1980's. A recommended addition to any public or private library.

This book has been an invaluable resource to me and I recommend it to others who have questions about brain function. My family has a history of depression and other mental illnesses. Andreasen approaches the subject of brain chemistry, biology and treatment of illness in terms a layperson can easily understand. After reading The Broken Brain, I was compelled to learn more and am now enrolled in a Masters program in Psychology. Facinating, well written, and totally accessible.

This book explains mental illness in a way that is easy to understand. However, I also like to read books that SHOW what mental illness is. I suggest the book: MY LAST REMAINS by Jill.
This is a nonfiction account of a girl who was raised by mentally ill parents. The books shows mental illness in a way that text books dont. It also shows what happens to the children of the mentally ill. The author uses her first name only, and the book is also available on amazon.

This book has been an invaluable resource to me and I recommend it to others who have questions about brain function. My family has a history of depression and other mental illnesses. Andreasen approaches the subject of brain chemistry, biology and treatment of illness in terms a layperson can easily understand. After reading The Broken Brain, I was compelled to learn more and am now enrolled in a Masters program in Psychology. Facinating, well written, and totally accessible.

This book gave me hope I had lost about a loved one with servere (delusional) depression. Knowledge is power, and this book is overflowing with easy-to-understand information. Dr. Andreasen's treatment of mental illness, with symathy and care is comforting. The only question I had, was "How much more valuable this book would be if it were updated (since 1985)?". There is mental illness in this world, that has gone unrecognized. We could all benefit from knowing more about this misunderstood, stigmatized illness

Dr. D. Kim Singleton, noted psychologist, has braved a wilderness whose path is rarely travelled. Broken Silence helps black women give voice to their pain and rejection in a society that has been less than encouraging to them.

The compassionate and graceful manner in which Dr. Singleton approaches, addresses and eventually aids her patients will help many women reading this book readily embrace therapy as a viable option in the fight against negative experiences from the past. It is a must-read for anyone crushed by the double whammy of racism and sexism in our society.

Because Dr. Singleton is an African American woman, I must admit that I was ready to trust her as soon as I opened the book. After reading Broken Silence, I can truly say that I experienced a certain level of healing, personally. The book helped me understand how a professional can help me identify a problem; determine goals that will change the problem; put into practice measures that will bring about my goals and maintain the right attitude and therapist to insure continued success on my life's journey.

I would recommend Broken Silence to everyone, but especially to African American women. By mastering a tool that has been traditionally mistrusted in our community, Dr. Singleton has used psychotherapy to pierce the silence of the eight black women in her book, and in so doing has offered hope and wholeness to all women everywhere.

Dr. Singleton prefaces the novel, Broken Silence, by quoting an axiom from a t-shirt she once saw: "Being a Black Woman Is One of the Hardest Jobs in the World." She comments that this maxim has proven itself true as evidenced in the lives of her clients. Too often women of color hide behind walls of silence (with disastrous consequences), only turning to therapy when the burdens become too heavy to bear. I loved the way the author substantiated this point by citing the historical "silent suffering" experienced by African American slaves as fodder for pain; how religion is repeatedly viewed as the only means of relief; and how the "silent suffering" is still deeply rooted in the modern African American psyche.

The middle portion of the book contains eight success stories of black women who have benefited from therapy. Each woman has different types of issues ranging from emotional and sexual abuse, relationship issues, and self-respect/identity problems. Dr. Singleton introduces each story with care and compassion. Her objectivity, presentation of the issues, and counsel to her patients are helpful, sound, and sensible. She has simplified highly complex problems which allow the reader to easily empathize and learn from the lessons of others. My only comment here is she might have over-simplified a bit too much, but her advice and strategies to minimize stress and encourage her clients are wonderful.

I think this book is an excellent resource for women, especially black women, who need to know that they are not alone in their experiences with abuse, failed relationships, and/or career disappointments. It also provides clear explanations and warning signs along with practical suggestions and exercises for healthier living. It demonstrates that personal change is possible and helps women realize that if they choose to overcome the cultural stigma of therapy, they will find the support, comfort, relief, and balance needed to let the healing begin.

Reviewed by Phyllis

Dr. Singleton's book is right on time for the African American woman of today, because as quiet as it's kept, we are hurting and need to be healed. As a 17 year old African American female I opened the book and from reading the first page I knew that it was not another one of those "How-To" books. We all know about the sudden trend in writing motivational books where the author has an eyecatching title like "How To Heal Your Broken Soul With Five Easy and Totally Doable Steps!", written by some person who couldn't be further away from their target readers.

Dr. Singleton's book is far from anything like that. This book is real and with every chapter dedicated to another hurt and troubled Black woman, the reader can relate to one,if not two or three of the women. This book is not just for middle-aged Black woman.It is for any woman of any age."Broklen Silence" is simply put and can be read in no time, and even if you find that every chapter is not aplicable to you, each reader should find Singleton's ending 10 Priciples of Affirmation.

Thank you for writing this book Dr. Singleton.There is someone of my generation out here reading it.

Broken Silence is an exceptional book that I found to be very captivating. I am an African-American male and I believe that every "brother" should read this book, and gain an understnading of the women in their lives as well as themselves. We all have loved ones, friends or co-workers who at some time in their life will go through a period of emotional or psychic distress and will need guidance to successfully cope with the situation. All too often the women in our lives suffer in silence, hence the title of the book.

In the preface, Dr. Singleton stated that she had to undergo therapy herself as part of her training and found it to be an unpleasant experience. This helps to explain part of the reason for so much resistance in our community towards therapy, especially if the therapist comes from another cultural background. Dr. Singleton manages to combine therapy with good old-fashioned wisdom and thereby gain the trust of those who have come to her for help.

Eight women are profiled in the book, a representative sample of the thousands of people Dr. Singleton has assisted over the years. Dr. Singleton shows in each different situation, how to turn a negative experience into one of empowerment and triumph. Pychological counseling is not an easy process and it takes a lot of time and hard work, just like in any good relationship. As I read this book, it brought to mind a movie I saw last year, the Antwone Fisher Story. I saw men who were moved to tears by that film and this book could have the same impact.

This culture and society has never been a facilitating environment for good relationships between African-American women and men. Today our young people are constantly bombarded with misogamist (hatred of marriage) and misogyny (hatred of women) messages through videos, music and television. The society has never embraced us as equals in the workplace either as we witness the attack upon affirmative action. It is very hard to be sane in an insane world. Dr. Singleton shows in her book, Broken Silence, that no matter how dire your personal, family, or work situation, through therapy and love, you can become a strong and vibrant woman. The process works for the "brothers" too. We all need help from time to time and should not be ashamed to seek it. This book should be placed upon everyone's "must read" list.

This book is great beginning for women who are uncertain about whether they need to seek professional help! She really has captured the essence of Black women and their path to therapy. I have recommended it to many of my friends.

As an organizational psychologist or consultant this book must be added to your book collection. It really does become a handbook that you begin to depend on.

Personnel Psychology, 2003: As you would expect in a comprehensive handbook, there is something for everyone: perspective, techniques, guidelines, conceptual frameworks, research findings, and comprehensive reference lists. It is a genuine portal into the vast interdisciplinary world of consulting psychology for practitioners, academics, researchers, and students. Bon appetit! Stephen Hrop, Personnel Psychology, 2003, p. 785.

NOTE TO EDITORS: DO NOT LIST STARS WITH THIS REVIEW EXCERPT. THE REVIEW DID NOT USE A STAR RATING SYSTEM AND IT WOULD BE MISLEADING TO DO SO ON LINE.

Wow! Incredibly comprehensive coverage of topics in organizational consulting. Destined to be a "classic" for years to come. Shows what works and doesn't in organizational consulting. Assessment, interventions, ethics, outcomes--it's all here!

The 31 chapters organized into 8 sections are a treasure for any one who serves in a consulting role. The text is written for psychologist but is of extraordinary value for consultants in all domains. Of broad interest are the chapters on "Assessing Candidates for Leadership Positions," "Individual Level Variables," "The Effectiveness of Executive Coaching," "Integrating Individual Assessment, Position Requirements, Team-Based Competencies, and Organizational Vision," "Successfully Implementing Teams," "Proactive Ways to Improve Leadership Performance," and two areas on Organizational Performance. Well worth both the price and the time to read it.

The value of The California School of Organizational Studies Handbook of Organizational Consulting Psychology goes far beyond what the title might indicate. This is a must read for anyone who works in the realm of organizational transformation or who works in a consulting capacity.

We have selected it as the November 2002 Featured Selection for Transforming Education Bookstore and highly recommend it.

I am a psychologist who works in a college counseling center, and I wish that I could make this book required reading for the parents of every new student entering college. Main author Richard Kadison--Chief of the Mental Health Service at Harvard University Health Services--does an excellent job of outlining the many issues which college students face and the ways in which these issues are potentially hazardous to every student's mental health. He also provides extremely useful suggestions for what parents can do to help their college student as well as practical tips for the college students themselves. The only sections of the book which I found to be less effective were the chapter and appendix which focused on what colleges should be doing to address the mental health crisis on campus; this information seemed out of place in a book largely intended for parents. However, the remaining two appendices were more relevant, providing a summary of data from the 2002 American College Health Association Survey results as well as an overview of common medications used to treat psychological conditions. Overall, this a well-done, tremendously valuable book; highly recommended.

With my fourth college freshman ensconced in college, I am sorry that I didn't have this book for reference with my other three children. Each student is different with different needs, stress indicators, and mechanisims for coping with college. This book clearly illustrates the number of ways kids react to college...both positive and negative. No one goes to college today without some form of stress either academically, socially, or emotionally. With the help of this book, college students and their parents have a chance at predicting the challenges and setting out a plan that is specific to preventing serious mental health issues from being so overwhelming. This is a great guide for coping and surviving these stressful years and perhaps leading to happiness and success.

My daughter is in her first year of college and experiencing some anxiety. I bought this book on advice from a friend, and found it invaluable. It's easy to read, very informed and informative. Dr. Kadison seems to have a special sensitivity for students. You sense that he really cares and therefore you really want to listen.

This book is very timely, and is of importance. There is a crisis out there, and parents and students need to recognize the problems of being depressed, and that there is something that can and should be done to cope with these disorders. The book is very well written, and easy to read. I feel this book should be read by every parent and every student so they can recognize the signs of depression, and get the help they need. It is a wake-up call, and a real contribtion to mental health. Dr.ERK

by don dallas, ddallas10@yahoo.com


"Parents, your job is not over yet, " declared a flier given me at an orientation session for parents of freshmen. The flier warned me that the first eight weeks on campus will be "stressful". It also urged me to talk to my son about alcohol abuse on campus. Until then that college and all others presented themselves as blissful environments of intellectual and human growth. This was the first time it was suggested that college was stressful.

The stress, it turns out, often is longer and deeper. The most authoritative source on campus stress, College of the Overwhelmed, The Mental Health Crisis on Campus and What to Do About it, was published in October, 2004, by Richard Kadison, M. D., a psychiatrist who is chief of Mental Health Services at Harvard University, and Theresa Foy DeGeronimo, a writer specializing in parenting and education. Contrary to the impression many parents have had that it is time to leave the kids on their own, the book urges parents to be aware, informed, and watchful. Parents are the "best hope" , Dr. Kadison and Ms. DeGeronimo say. They must engage their college sons and daughters in open, adult-adult (yet non-intrusive) communications not just for eight weeks, but for all four or more of the college years. The book even advises parents to have a "crisis plan" ready in case their college-based children need emergency help. "It's ironic that just when you feel you are setting your children free they often need your support and attention more than ever before." One out of every two students becomes so depressed they cannot function at some point during their college career, it says. One out of two become binge drinkers. Student mental health challenges too often go uncared for: students suffer silently as their already-besieged emotional health erodes further. Almost 10 percent of college students consider suicide. "Parents should also help their children choose a college that is not woefully deficient in the area of ...campus mental health. How can parents tell? The book offers checklists of symptoms to look for and questions for parents to ask campus staff and administrators. The book aims to "open a dialogue, get us talking, and suggest ways we all can face these facts and do something..." It is a seminal work, a goldmine of research, insights and advice. "Listen, Listen, Listen," the authors shout to parents. The mental health crisis on campus is the "elephant in the room nobody is talking about."

I've been seriously interested in the spiritual aspects of my life for many years. I've done a great deal of reading and some formal study, to learn about the connection between my mind, body and spirit. This book is loaded with practical and readable information about every aspect of spiritual healing. I've never found such a gold mine of spiritual information in one book. It doesn't try to tell you everything about every subject, but it does make it possible for you to browse through a smorgasbord of techniques and practices from all over the world. You can decide what appeals to you, and follow whatever path you choose. Dr. Gregg provides a roadmap for any spiritual journey you might wish to take.

This is a great primer about spiritual healing and healing modalities.

Don't let the title of this book put you off. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Spiritual Healing by Dr. Susan Gregg has the simplistic layout of the "Idiot's Guide" book so it's easy to navigate. Dr. Gregg was a student of Don Miguel Ruiz, author of The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide To Personal Freedom, and his Mother, Sister Sarita, before becoming a Toltec Nagual.

The very first page sets the tone and intent of the book: a cheerful orange reference card that spans the entire page. On it are suggestions for creating a daily routine, making a list of nurturing things, and a list of affirmations called Talking to Yourself in the Mirror, which Dr. Gregg encourages you to add to with your own positive statements.

Illustrated "bubble" boxes are sprinkled throughout the book, and include Snake Oil (pitfalls you may encounter on your spiritual quest), Clarity Corner (definitions and more in-depth explanations of key concepts), Sage Advice (quotes and short vignettes to uplift and keep you on track), and Spiritual Shortcuts which includes exercises, meditations, and other bits of information that will help you move more rapidly on your path.

And this isn't even the bulk of the book! There is information on alternative healing modalities, altered states of consciousness, body work, inner guidance, eating mindfully, emotions vs. feelings, exercise, life purpose, surrender (which doesn't mean giving up!), dominion vs. domination, nature as healer, relationships and intimacy (into-me-see, as she cleverly writes), planetary healing, channeling, spiritual traditions of healers (Native American, Mexican, South American, European, African, Voodoo, and Huna) and a whole lot more. The great thing about this book is that it doesn't read like a boring New Age 101 Textbook full of pure theory. Dr. Gregg presents herself as having her feet planted firmly on the ground--yet she brings knowledge from Grandmother (the Divine Feminine) to the table in a blend that is both practical and "beyond the dream".

The subjects covered are broad in scope, but specific enough to get your general questions answered. If it's not, there is an indepth section in the back called "Additional Reading" which lists books in specific sections, and even includes a section on Organizations and relevant contact information.

I just finished reading this book and was amazed at the amount of information it contained. Now I am going to go back and do the exercises!

Having dealt with depression for six years, I found this book to be a very useful eye-opener; I don't think anything I've read has helped me heal as much as Dr. Gregg's. It will enable you to find and deal with the root causes of many of the issues that worry or upset you and to raise your self-esteem. There were a couple ideas in the book I didn't entirely agree with, but then it's also a question of interpretation. Highly recommend.

This book was filled with lots of valuable information and wonderful guidance. This book is a must for anyone wanting to improve the quality of their life!

Lewis Mehl-Madrona reveals insights into traditional and non-traditional medicine. He is an interesting multi-faceted medical practioner. It is impossible to sum up his contributions in a sentence or two. He breaks the bonds of traditional medicine by incorporating ancient medical practices into his healing work.

Great book if this is the first book of this author that you read. However, it is an extraordinary book if read after reading Coyote Medicine. As a follow-up read, the reader has a greater understand of the "whys". If you are a Native American or have worked in the field of mental health/ psychiatry -- or better yet both, you find yourself going, "Yes, you are so right!" often times as you read. Such a moving book. It touched not only my mind, but also my heart and soul. I could not put it down until I finished it.

Lewis Mehl-Madrona, M.D. has written one of the best books on healing ever to be published. This book should be required reading for all cancer patients and survivors, for anyone suffering from chronic physical or emotional disease, and for therapists in all disciplines. Dr. Madrona's stories are poignant and will linger with you long after you've finished the last page. This book offers hope. It teaches that health truly is a mind-body-spirit phenomenon.

Dr. Mehl-Madrona's magnificent first book, COYOTE MEDICINE, was seen through wide-eyes: a young doctor discovering his own roots and shedding illusions about the omnipotence of science. By contrast, COYOTE HEALING reveals a sure sense of purpose and conviction in his approach.

One senses a mission- that this book is more than an account, but an active attempt to spread the word. No longer exploring, Dr. Mehl-Madrona has become the guru; here he is at the height of his powers and conviction and acts as advocate.

Operating from the perspective of a shaman, Dr. Mehl-Madrona respects the patient's ability to cure himself, but also "straddle(s) cultures," drawing on his varied expertise. As he explains, "Activating the inner healer is the most important aspect of what I do... I use herbs, diet, vitamins, exercise, drugs and a myriad of other techniques, but I recognize that the inner healer makes all these approaches work."

Because of the success of his first book, many people seek him out, and we hear their stories. They have usually been told their cases were beyond hope. Working with the author, some patients do recover, others sadly, do not. But Dr. Mehl-Madrona refuses to speak of "failures," nor does he use cases to argue for or against shamanic or complementary approaches. Rather, he sees the healing process itself as the miracle. As he says:

I build hope. I don't help everyone [in terms of cures]...I help them to show their true humanity, their true spirit, despite adversity...Each of my patients told me what a difference I had made in their lives. All I did was to recognize their true selves and coax those to the surface, despite everything else that was happening... Hope- not despair, not denial, not giving up, not demanding success...It comes from knowing that the Universe cares about us, even when our desires are not possible... The peacefulness of integrating these apparent contradictions is truly a miracle.

Much of his work involves Native American storytelling, using characters in stories to shed light on the patients' struggles. So, a woman who helps many people but is now undergoing chemotherapy is told a story of the "Gatherer," a Native American woman who collected healing plants, and was kidnapped and tortured, but made it through. Another woman who has been ill for decades is told a story about a young woman who was kidnapped, who had to throw away some prized items in order to escape. Here the doctor was showing his patient how to discard illness as an identity.

Some major themes emerge. A loss of community is said to cause disease, and one violently schizophrenic man finds his way back to sanity by being made an "honorary Indian" on a reservation. Another theme is illness as sublimated negativity in one's life.

But the doctor does not "blame the victim." Instead, he defines "disease" as literally that, dis-ease. In the eyes of a shaman, cause of illness is everywhere, and awareness of imbalance will lead us to finding "ease." In the author's words, "I can no longer imagine a physical problem that is not simultaneously psychological, spiritual and social..."

But we are not being punished by our illness, only being told that something is wrong. Gary Null echoes this when he talks about the fires burning in our (physiological) houses, and how often we ignore these fires, whether stress, abuse, self-hatred, etc.

Whether you believe in complimentary healing approaches or not, COYOTE HEALING helps define what it means to fight for wellness with dignity and peace. Having met Dr. Mehl-Madrona at his healing circle, I know his real voice: soft, thoughtful, nonjudgemental, and mischievous. In these pages this voice comes through, and brings comfort. Thank you again, Doctor.

COYOTE HEALING is an interesting book which describes an approach to healing which is based on the experiences of the author who is a practicing physician and a graduate of Stanford University School of Medicine. The main thrust of the book is to reveal the characteristics of exceptional patients who beat the odds against killer diseases such as cancer. Many inspirational stories are included.

The healing strategies used throughout reflect Dr. Mehl-Madrona's own childhood exposure to a mixture of Christianity and Cherokee spirituality. A strong emphasis is placed on the need for the patient to think positively. Any feelings of personal blame for having the illness are eliminated and replaced with a sense of hope. This step leads to peacefulness which in turn sets the stage for a potential miracle. The patient next tries to locate the inner healer before starting on a healing journey. The latter emphasizes a radical transformation of oneself and one's relationships. The journey itself ultimately becomes more important than the destination.

Great practical information on crisis intervention. Easy read and tons of practical applications to use when dealing with clients who are crisis.

As a former crisis intervention worker I am impressed with the all-inclusive nature of this book which covers crisis intervention across multiple populations and practice settings with sensitivity to cultural diversity. As a current social work faculty member teaching crisis intervention course content, I am impressed that Dr. Robert's book is grounded in clinical research with contributing authors who are the experts in this field. A must read for all crisis workers and an outstanding book to incorporate into the classroom. Very impressive!

As an Emergency Room Social Worker, this handbook has been invaluable, it offers comphrensive perspectives in everyday situations and how to handle these crisis. True life situations and hands on approaches to options that can be used with patients in crisis and some facing mortality. This handbook is one of my more invaluable tools for daily emergency room situations.

Dr. Roberts' newest edition of the Crisis Intervention Handbook will be an exceptional resource for all mental healthe professionals. However, the first ten chapters which combine Roberts' seven step model of crisis intervention and solution focused brief therapy will be especially useful to school counselors. Counselors will refer to this book time and again when school and family crises occur. I highly recommend this book.

This vitally important and comprehensive handbook provides informed citizens, healthcare specialists, and mental health professionals with everything they need to know about crisis episodes and crisis interventions. This compelling, yet practical book is vitally needed and provides the most comprehensive information to date on everything from school violence, date rape, 24-hour mobile crisis units to hospital emergency room crises. This book is a rare gem for every graduate student and practitioner in the human services field.