Emotional Exorcism: Expelling the Four Psychological Demons That Make Us Backslide [Hardcover]

Holly A. Hunt Ph.D. (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0313360219 | ISBN-13: 978-0313360213 | Publication Date: July 30, 2009

Dr. Holly Hunt's groundbreaking work, Emotional Exorcism, offers all those in emotional distress a new way to face one's demons and banish them once and for all. For anyone unable to pull themselves out of sadness, anxiety, anger, or addictive behaviors, it is a potent and practical strategy for expelling psychological demons and stopping the feeling of failure.

Drawing on years of experience in private practice with clients of all backgrounds, Dr. Hunt shows how earlier life experiences can create a core of negative belief she calls the "Master Demon," as well as self-sabotaging thoughts and behavior patterns called the "Four Soldier Demons." These generate emotional negativity within us, providing a power source for the demons. Dr. Hunt then provides a practical, user-friendly, research-grounded model to change those self-sabotaging thoughts, behaviors, and feelings without the self-defeating burden of battling ourselves. Through a variety of tools, she empowers readers to separate from, stop feeding, and effectively exorcize our psychological demons.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a must read for every human resource manager and senior leader who wants to understand how to help their employees overcome the demons in their lives and become top performers." --Thomas Hinton, President & CEO, American Consumer Council

"Naming the relapse process as a "demon" working against the hard earned self change...helps to internally organize a unique prevention process." -- Douglas O. Brady, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist in Oklahoma & Texas, Fellow, American Psychological Association

"...offers a fresh approach that should prove to work well, especially with those who have tried and failed to stop their self-defeating behavior utilizing other methods." -- Sandra L. Ceren, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, Diplomate, American Board of Family Psychology, Fellow, Academy of Family Psychology & Author of Essentials of Premarital Counseling

"An intriguing approach to helping people once again enjoy fulfilling and productive lives. Engaging, stimulating, captivating - an insightful hands-on approach, developed over years of clinical experience." -- Pat DeLeon, Ph.D., J.D., M.P.H., Former President, American Psychological Association

"A practical template for change with real-life examples and applicable strategies drawn on evidenced-based theories, showing the way to personal empowerment to reclaim and live your true potential." -- Concepcion Barrio, Ph.D., Associate Professor, University of Southern California School of Social Work

Product Details

• Hardcover: 189 pages
• Publisher: Praeger (July 30, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313360219
• ISBN-13: 978-0313360213
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,939,319 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Holly A. Hunt, Ph.D., is a Speaker, Author, and Psychologist based in Southern California. As a professional speaker and group trainer, she presents a practical, research-grounded model and tools to help you and the members of your organization to overcome self-sabotage and become top performers (www.HollyAHunt.com). Dr. Hunt draws this vital information from her book "Emotional Exorcism: Expelling the Four Psychological Demons That Make Us Backslide" (Praeger, 2009).

Dr. Hunt's powerful strategies will help your organization to increase employee productivity, optimally manage work & personal stress, improve motivation, & reduce absenteeism. Holly empowers attendees through instructive, interactive, motivational sessions to achieve their greatest potential at work and in their personal lives.

Dr. Hunt received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Kansas in 1988. She interned and worked as a psychologist at the Sepulveda and Long Beach, CA VA Medical Centers, and served clients in her psychology practice for 20 years. She is the past chair of the Practice Management Committee of the San Diego Psychological Association, and is also the author of "Essentials of Private Practice: Streamlining Costs, Procedures, and Policies for Less Stress" (W.W. Norton, 2005).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It All Makes Sense Now, July 20, 2009

By 

Madge Walls (Wilsonville, Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Emotional Exorcism: Expelling the Four Psychological Demons That Make Us Backslide (Hardcover)

As an ordinary person trying to make sense of my own behavior and that of others, I have never come across a book that puts our demons in simple enough terms that I understand them. And when I say simple, I don't mean condescening. Reading this book, I felt as if I was having an intelligent conversation with the author. No big words, no mystifying concepts...but me and my baffling friends and family on every page. Not only did I identify our behaviors, but I learned what could be done to correct my own and live a more emotionally healthy life. And to be more tolerant of others. If you're not afraid to look in the mirror and gently confront your demons and understand how they control you, and then kiss them goodbye, this is the book for you.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Emotional Exorcism: Expelling the Four Psychological Demons That Make Us Backslide, September 7, 2009

By 

Michele Downey "RN MAC LMFT "Therapy By ... (Carlsbad, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Emotional Exorcism: Expelling the Four Psychological Demons That Make Us Backslide (Hardcover)

Having worked with patients' "inner demons" for over 30 years in psychiatric hospitals, addiction treatment settings,and with Christian religious communities, Dr. Hunt's new book is both unique and brilliant. She has been able to identify in a universally understood language not only "the problem" but "the solutions". These solutions and the paradigm shift that accompanies them are practical, concrete and surprisingly simple, albeit not easy. This is not just another "self-help" book reworking the same tired formulas. She uses language anyone, professional or lay, can use and understand. Her courage in broaching a spiritual realm in a psychological world is remarkable since few are able to do so without the risk of appearing "unscientific" or unrealistic. She incorporates recent research to back up her discussions of various aspects of what we take for granted as true or false. Citing the various religious traditions of the world and their attempts at dealing with the afflicting demons, she shows how we are dealing with essentially the same things. Dr. Hunt brings it all together. Addressing the traditional and latest psychological views and their flaws, with this concept of "exorcising", she distinguishes her work with personal responsibility with what is realistic in a non shame-based fashion. Using stories from her own patients' lives as their therapist and her observations, she helps illustrate her concepts and progress. Patients and therapist alike, we share these universally human ailments. I would challenge anyone who reads this book to be able to not find some hope for conquering their"inner demons".

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Donna Schilder, PCC Life & Business Coach reviews Emotional Exorcism, August 10, 2009

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Donna Schilder (Long Beach, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Emotional Exorcism: Expelling the Four Psychological Demons That Make Us Backslide (Hardcover)

Emotional Exorcism: Expelling the Four Psychological Demons That Make Us Backslide provides a new model to change self-sabotaging thoughts, behaviors, and feelings.

If you keep backsliding into sadness, anxiety, anger, or addictive behaviors, Emotional Exorcism offers step by step strategies to overcome your demons and stop feeling like a failure.

I especially found the Reprogramming Record helpful in overcoming negative emotional energy. I am using this record with my coaching clients. I also find the real stories of people who struggled and overcame their self-sabotaging helpful in working with my coaching clients.

Donna Schilder, PCC
Life & Business Coach
Long Beach, CA