By: Dorothea S. McArthur, PhD ABPP
Publisher: Cove Press 
Publication Date: June 2012
ISBN: 978-0-9847735-1-0
Reviewed by: Amy Lignor 
Review Date: October 22, 2012

It is certainly a fact that in this day and age more and more of us are suffering from pain, anxiety, tension, depression - you name it. The world seems to be far more difficult than it once was, and having that friend to speak to who will help us out of our troubles is almost impossible to find. That's what makes this particular book such a 'gift.'

Psychotherapy is defined as: "The treatment of mental disorder by psychological rather than medical means." But after reading these chapters that deal with everything from people's personal stories; to the effects of nature on our healing; to the power of communication - the definition of psychotherapy begins to fade. In fact, many readers will find that psychotherapy is truly the gift of being able to release the nightmares that we hold onto in order to live fuller, healthier - and far happier - lives.

This book offers real and practical help, and shows the true need of being able to change to the positive. In the very first section, nature is brought into the equation. In this fast-paced, Internet Superhighway world, most of us forget that the power of animals and the nature all around us is quite soothing. Animals have the ability to get back up when knocked down (a beautiful story is offered here about a deer). They have the ingrained sense to save themselves, shake it off, and move on - which is something that humans have great difficulty doing. In fact, we can become so wrapped up in our pain or troubles that we get physically ill; so simply taking a walk through nature every day, and taking that moment to relax and unwind, becomes a far more effective treatment than any pill handed out by a doctor.

The author moves on to sections regarding her own personal life and how, with her patients, she's helped them to overcome the various issues of no sleep, constant anger, etc., using the 'defining moments' in their lives. A defining moment is something - a situation, words, or images that have just been done or said; something that aids in the solving of a problem. And this author knows how to utilize these moments, open communication, even introduce her dogs and cats and show how therapeutic they are for her clients in order to solve problems without having to take medication.

There are so many issues to cover in this book that readers truly need to pick it up, sit in the quiet, and read about grief, money problems, society and life pressures and how to use communication and therapies to lift all the heavy weight off their shoulders. This author should be commended for her work and for her words. One of the most poignant areas covered is bullying, and how just because someone can bring you down - they can't bring you down forever. We have one life, and not living it is a tragedy.

Quill Says: A truly thought-provoking and informative work that is sorely needed to erase all the negativity in today's society.