Secrets From the Sofa

A Psychologist's Guide to Achieving Personal Peace

Non-Fiction - Health - Fitness
180 Pages
Reviewed on 03/14/2012
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Author Anna del C. Dye. for Readers' Favorite

This is an excellent book by a psychologist who writes about psychology in a way that is very easy to understand. I have been enjoying the book so much that I forgot I was supposed to make a review. I find it inspiring, to the point, and really helpful to all sorts of people. Every detail of this theme is explored and revisited with examples and ways to fix the problems we might encounter in our lives. I always dreaded psychology because it is too complicated, but this book proves me wrong. I have never seen anything so easy to follow. It even has pertinent questions at the end of each particular theme -- all to make the reader think if that particular theme is something they need to be working on. It also gives the reader forms to privately answer questions that will help him/her revisit issues in his/her own life. I love the guiltless way in which Dr. Herman approaches each subject and the delicacy with which he approaches the privacy of the people he uses as examples. Still, the examples are what makes the reader think, “I have done that” or “that happened to me.”

I know that this book will help many people in their search for a happier and more fulfilling tomorrow. I am sure I will share it with my own family because I know it will help us. I have an adopted son who was very abused when a young child. I know he will benefit greatly from this book. It will give his life a real meaning, while helping him sort out his feelings and his past demons. It is a must have in every home. Well done.

Jackie O'Neal

"In Secrets from the Sofa: A Psychologist’s Guide to Achieving Personal Peace" Dr. Kenneth Herman offers readers powerful insight from a cognitive behavioral perspective, on how to undertake positive life changes as drawn from his decades-long practice as a clinical psychologist. Using real life case studies, Dr. Herman illustrates his points and theories well and demystifies difficult to understand psychological concepts. The structure of the book, part narrative and part workbook, allows the reader to enjoy an interactive experience while getting a taste of what it is like to work through personal problems in therapy. The tools provided in the book are invaluable for the reader who wishes to apply what he has learned via Dr. Herman’s wisdom as a therapist. In one section of the book called 'The Peace Plan', Dr. Herman gives the reader keys and tools in order to undertake a self-inventory, explore personal problem areas, explore one’s childhood trauma and misfortunes, identify coping styles and make a strong assessment for possible life change.

Dr. Herman’s approach is both practical and effective and it teaches the reader valuable lessons. From Dr. Herman’s point of view, change is not a linear process with smooth sailing all the way, but rather a journey where one makes progress forward, but where the path can be fraught with obstacles and new challenges. The key Dr. Herman affirms over and over is to continue to be in touch with one’s thinking and behavior while working through the obstacles that inevitably show up. The book should be a must read for those ready to embark on a therapeutic approach to transformation.