Behind the Therapy Door: Simple Strategies to Transform Your Life

by Randy Kamen

From the unique vantage point of the inner sanctum of a psychologist's office, readers have a front row seat for the therapeutic process, witness the benefits of mind/body strategies, and gain insight from the experiences of others. Randy Kamen guides six women through a variety of life challenges and transitions. From their conversations, readers will discover how to manage low self-esteem, unsatisfying relationships, work-life imbalance, aging, divorce, empty-nest syndrome, aging parents, and the loss of a loved one. Dr. Kamen weaves together a blend of insight, cognitive behavioral therapy, and positive psychology that are easy to apply, such as breath-work, meditation, mindfulness, visualization, self-hypnosis, tolerating painful emotions, savoring positive experiences, and creating joy in everyday life.

Genres: Self Help, Psychology

272 pages, Paperback

First published March 21, 2014

About the author

Randy Kamen, ED.D., psychologist and educator, helped pioneer new territory in mind-body medicine at Boston University's School of Medicine and Harvard's Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.

She has long been on the leading edge of her profession, integrating insight oriented and cognitive behavioral therapy with holistic methods in her research and clinical work.

She helps women build on their strengths and implement new strategies to deepen their experience of insight, healing, and happiness.

Dr. Kamen has appeared on numerous TV and radio programs. She writes for the Huffington Post and other media outlets. Read her blog at DrRandyKamen.com and follow her on Twitter and Facebook @DrRandykamen to learn about her speaking engagements and women's retreats on Martha's Vineyard and around the country.

Reviews

[Matthew]

this is an OK book, but it's instantly forgettable. there are a handful of mindfulness/relaxation/breathing exercises discussed (abdominal breathing, 'constructive rest', 4-7-8 breathing, mantras, gratitude, visualizations, etc.) but you're going to have to wade thru boring vignettes to find them. this whole book should have been a 6 min read on Psychology Today or Huffington Post. dr. kamen seems competent and I'll give her the benefit of the doubt that she released this in good faith, but I can't imagine who the audience for this book is (evidently, what goes on behind the therapy door, despite its helpfulness to the clients described, would put the rest of us to sleep). maybe a therapist very early in training would benefit from its first chapter. but I can't imagine the lay person or professional getting to the end of this book and considering it time well spent (this thing is chockablock with platitudes on par with "don't spend time with people who leave you feeling drained!"). this book did increase my appreciation for yalom, who writes instructively about interesting and challenging clients. your time is better spent reading about the exercises mentioned above (a la carte) and, if you like vignettes, read yalom instead.

[Susan]

I READ SOME OF THE BOOK IT SOUND REALTY INTERSING BUT I GAVE IT TO MY DAUGHYER AS SHE IS IN COLLAGE STUDYING TO BE A PHY THANKS TO GOODREADS FRISTREADS FOR THE FREE BOOKS