I Know I'm in There Somewhere: A Woman's Guide to Finding Her Inner Voice and Living a Life of Authenticity

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Summary: Great Book!
Review: Dr. Brenner's book is excellent and her ideas are actually quite original! I have read other self improvement books in the past and then just gave up, because I found most of them to be full of rather useless simplistic "just feel good about yourself" drivel. (If it were that easy...) Dr. Brenner's book is more realistic, and without even realizing it, I have incorporated her ideas into some of my everyday life. The real life stories were interesting and compelling, and I think most women can see themselves in the women Brenner describes meeting in her practice. (This is a strong point of the book by the way; Dr. Brenner is clearly a caring practitioner and not a pop psychologist trying only to sell books.) I am a college professor and may even use portions of this book when I teach interpersonal communication next semester.

Rating:
Summary: I Know I'm in There Somewhere
Review: Dr. Brenner's new book is a must read for all women and anyone who works with women particularly therapists and coaches. Unlike many self-help books which recommend you do ten different things to change who you are, this book's message is about learning self-acceptance. Self-acceptance is not something that comes from the outside, like when you repeat affirmations to your self about how good you are but it is about listening to oneself from the inside, being with what is already there like you would be with a friend and getting to know that friend better. Through the innercizes, which are clearly described one can learn how to listen to one's own voice instead of someone else's. The book is very well written, full of stories from the lives of real women, many from Dr. Brenner's clinical practice. For practioners, it is particularly helpful to read the descriptions of Dr. Brenner as she gently and skillfully guides her clients in their journeys of self-acceptance and discovery and I have found myself applying parts of her approach with executive coaching clients in my business.

I especially enjoyed the chapter on the voice of the larger self which is about accessing one's spiritual wisdom, something all of us badly need to learn how to do to cope with and even thrive in the difficult and uncertain times in which we now live. Her innercizes in this chapter teach you how to find and listen to what she calls your "Inner Knowing Place," something we all have inside but don't know how to access.

If there is anything that could be added to make this book even better, it would be to include or sell audiotapes with Dr. Brenner's clear and gentle voice guiding us through some of the wonderful innercizes. I hope that this book reaches a wide audience and that when women see it on display they will have the good sense to listen to their inner voice to purchase a copy.

Executive Coach, Boston, MA

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Summary: A New Way of Looking at Yourself
Review: I have been in the process of "self-discovery" for the past 20 years and have read many, many books. This book by Helene Brenner takes a fresh, new approach. She helps women to let go of the idea that we are somehow flawed and need to be "fixed." From her use of words (she calls this a self-acceptance book...not a self-help book) to her ideas of why so many women are walking around striving to be perfect, Brenner has put a new face on our quest for living that life of our dreams. She makes it seem attainable because there is nothing really more to "do." There is only to "be."

I highly recommend this book and especially encourage women just beginning the process of self-discovery to read it. You will save yourself a lot of time and self-doubt.

Rating:
Summary: Insightful, down-to-earth and positively helpful
Review: Sub-titled A Woman's Guide to Finding her Inner Voice and Living a Life of Authenticity, this book is a well thought out and intriguing guide for women who strive to accept themselves and live accordingly. Written by Helene G. Brenner, Ph.D, a psychologist and director of Women's Counselling and Psychological Services in Frederick and Bethseda, Maryland, the book offers an alternative stance for women who wish to become grounded, harness their self-esteem and unleash their integrity.

Instead of following the approach of numerous other self-help books and pop psychology titles, Dr. Brenner believes it's actually a very simple process and something any woman can achieve. Rather than having to change or fix your life, all you need to do in order to be happy and fulfilled is to listen to your inner voice and live in accordance with it.

In a down-to-earth style as if she's personally chatting to you, Helene guides readers through the processes needed to firstly find your inner voice, learn to listen to it and finally live from it. One of the aspects that makes the book both enjoyable and encouraging is the numerous real-life examples of women who've been out-of-touch with their inner voices, but managed to reacquaint themselves through using Helene's approach. These are interspersed throughout the text with feeling and compassion, adding a new perspective that really brings the theory to life.

Additionally, there are lots of aptly termed "innercizes" - practical exercises to complete that aim to help readers access and live from their Inner Voice - and these, too, help put things into perspective.

In essence, this book is a real antidote to the typical "you need to change" self-help book that many people have had more than enough of. It's inspirational, positive, helpful and, above all, its messages and suggestions are fully achievable.