Dr. Gerald Fishkin, Author and Psychotherapist

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With fine academic credentials and outgoing personality, Dr. Fishkin is an articulate professional and straight talker who believes in sharing his experiences and insights about human behavior without the need for cliché, "psychobabble," or statistics to reinforce his words. His clarity of thought and speech are immediately related to by his audience, as are his amusing anecdotes collected from years of professional experience.

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The science of shame and its treatment is a must read book for anybody seeking to understand why their self-talk is so abusive

and unrelenting and how that can be changed for a great and fulfilling life.

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FORWARD INDIES

WINNER

ERIC HOFFER award

WINNER

SAN FRANCISCO BOOK REVIEW

This is an intriguing and thought-provoking little book about the little voice in our heads that whispers (or shouts) that we are just not good enough... the voice of shame. Shame, according to the author, is different from guilt, in that guilt is a feeling of wrongness about something one has done whereas shame feels that way about who one intrinsically is. Shame begins in infancy, even pre-verbally, when some trauma or abuse from a trusted caregiver leads a child to feel that they are not good enough to have the love and care they require but lack. However, compassion-based therapy, which helps explore patients’ childhood trauma, can bring healing and wholeness.

There is much to ponder in this book. Readers will appreciate the knowledgeable but accessible writing style that avoids jargon while staying firmly rooted in good science. It is easy to understand, but relatively little is said about the treatment aspect. This is understandable, as the author’s point is to convince a therapist audience that shame is not treatable through common behavioral modification therapies, but for lay readers it leaves one feeling rather hopeless that anyone can escape shame’s irrational but controlling mandates.

DANIEL CASEY BOOK REVIEW

- Daniel Casey

Reviewer for misanthropester.com

Understanding that shame is not equatable with guilt, narcissism, or genuine criticism is vital in overcoming the stigma that is negative self-talk, in becoming and staying healthy. Dr. Fishkin doesn’t just present readers with the identification and analysis of a problem, he also offers therapeutic solutions. The case studies included in the book give us a sense of the kind of action that needs to be taken. These actions are preventative, pragmatic, and sustainable to maintain lasting healing and foster health. It is no easy task to isolate, identify, or express toxic shame. It is always easier to deal with symptoms rather than the core issue, and this is what makes The Science of Shame and Its Treatment not just compelling but an arresting work.

Whether or not you are dealing with trauma, emotional distress, or abusive behavior, The Science of Shame and Its Treatment is vital to understanding not just other selves but one’s self. Dr. Fishkin has made a foray into a fresh field of study, one that could aid a myriad of people in a myriad of ways.

ENDORSEMENTS

"The Science of Shame and Its Treatment is a well-researched book that has many practical applications for clinicians who are working with patients who have experienced trauma, abuse, and neglect. It clearly distinguishes shame from guilt (a key concept), while it focuses on the etiology and treatment of shame. I plan to use this book as a guide in working with patients who have been burdened with incapacitating shame for most of their lives."

Dan S. Fogel,

LMSW - Clinical Social Worker - Grand Rapids, Michigan

“Dr. Fishkin has done a tremendous job in creating a comprehensive and practical resource aimed at better understanding and treating shame. We see first-hand the impact and role shame plays in overall mental health and recovery. Anyone in a helping profession would benefit from having this as a tool in their arsenal to help bring about healing and hope.”

Sean Walsh,

Chief Executive Officer, The Meadows

"Dr. Gerald Fishkin's comprehensive and compassionate resource The Science of Shame and Its Treatment offers people in recovery and clinicians alike hope that by addressing underlying shame we can create a life filled with harmony and peace."

Sherry Gaba

LCSW - Author of the award winning book: The Law of Sobriety: Attracting Positive Energy for a Powerful Recovery

“The Science of Shame and Its Treatment is invaluable for anyone in a therapeutic process. Dr. Fishkin’s in-depth discussion on shame begins by first defining and clarifying the difference between shame and guilt. That alone is worth the price of the book! “

A.D. Burks

Author of Sex & Surrender, An Addict’s Journey and The 4 STEPS: A Practical Guide to Breaking the Addictive Cycle

“This book is a detailed description of the nature of shame and brings clarity to this much maligned emotion. It is a must read for therapists who are helping their clients move from believing they are worthless to knowing they have inherent worth.”

Pia Mellody

Senior Therapist The Meadows Treatment Centers

Author of Facing Codependence

“Shame influences our lives from underneath our everyday awareness, keeping us cut off from the vast and healing regions of our own hearts. One of the most powerful things we can do for ourselves is heal our shame. Dr. Fishkin’s well-written and comprehensive book not only provides the science behind what causes our shame, but he also provides real life stories that help us relate to our shame through the healing power of our own awareness and self-compassion.”

Mary O’Malley,

Author of What’s In the Way Is the Way and The Gift of Our Compulsions

"Dr. Fishkin breaks new ground in his book The Science of Shame, exploring a basic part of character development. The insights definitely helped me understand myself better."

Harry Saltzgaver

Executive Editor - Gazette Newspapers - Long Beach, CA.

VIDEO SERIES

Go in depth with Dr. Fishkin as he details shame and the destruction it has on our lives.

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