Secrets from the Sofa: A Psychologist's Guide to Achieving Personal Peace [Paperback]

Kenneth Herman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 6, 2007

If what everyone really wants from life is happiness, success, and peace of mind, then why do people stay at unrewarding jobs or in destructive relationships? Why are people neglecting their physical and mental health? Why do we sometimes have so much trouble just getting through the day?

Unfortunately, people feel safe and secure with familiar emotions. Even misery is preferable to the anticipated anxiety associated with change. Intellectually, we would like to change; emotionally, we question if change is necessary—or even possible.

As a practicing clinical psychologist for over 45 years, Dr. Kenneth Herman shares his “Secrets from the Sofa”—his proven step by step approach to helping people change and achieve a greater sense of purpose, happiness and peace. He offers readers the chance to be their own psychologist; to look at their problems, to address where they are coming from, to make a plan to overcome the issues, and then to execute that plan.

With motivation and determination, you will find that your personal peace plan can make a change for the better completely possible. Secrets from a Sofa can lead you to a happier, more fulfilling life. And if you really put your mind to it, it will.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. Kenneth Herman is a board-certified clinical psychologist and a fellow in the Academy of Clinical Psychologists. He was the founder and director of the Psychological Service Center in Teaneck, New Jersey for many years.

Dr. Herman and his wife, Benita, reside in New Jersey close to their four children and eight grandchildren.

Author’s photo by Ron Aubert.

Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (March 6, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 059541432X
• ISBN-13: 978-0595414321
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,502,387 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good self-help guide to people, November 22, 2007

By 

S V SWAMY "swamy-reviews" (Hyderabad, India) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Secrets from the Sofa: A Psychologist's Guide to Achieving Personal Peace (Paperback)

Psychology, Change, Coping, Improvement, Self-Helf

'Secrets from the Sofa' is an attempt by a board certified clinical psychologist to share the lessons that he learned from nearly 50 years of practice. In his long career, Dr. Kenneth Herman had the opportunity to listen to the problems of many people and thus gained a deep understanding of human nature and he shares with us the readers, that understanding.

Change is difficult but is not impossible. That is the message that this book gives. The blurb on the back cover says, "With motivation and determination, you will find that your personal peace plan can make a change for the better completely possible. Secrets from a Sofa can lead you to a happier, more fulfilling life. And if you really put your mind to it, it will." I agree with that statement.

The book has eighteen chapters spread over five parts. Part One is titled, "Understanding Why", Part two is titled, "Gearing Up", Part three is called, "Your Personal Peace Process", Part four deals with "Your Emotions and Feelings" and the final part is "Emerging Stronger"

Chapter six has detailed checklists to help you understand yourself better.

The book has a number of case studies and the style is easy and interesting. Names have been suitably changed to protect the privacy of the individuals. It is easy to relate to many of the problems (lack of confidence, indecisiveness, anger etc.) faced by the people in the book.

Additional resources are listed at the end of the book to help you explore specific topics in more detail.

The book is edited and printed well.

The book makes an useful addition to the many self-help books in the field and is recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book I've read all year!, September 11, 2007

By 

Nicky Vanvalkenburgh (South Carolina) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Secrets from the Sofa: A Psychologist's Guide to Achieving Personal Peace (Paperback)

"Secrets from the Sofa" is an opportunity to sit down with an experienced psychologist and learn his game plan for becoming stronger, more confident and emotionally balanced. Folks, it doesn't get any better than this! "Secrets from the Sofa" is entertaining, eye-opening, and so compelling that it is hard to put down. Don't read this book in bed; you'll get so fired up and excited that you won't be able to sleep!

Dr Herman writes in a warm, understanding, and empathetic manner. He writes from firsthand experience, having spent over 100,000 hours counseling people from all walks of life. What I liked best is Dr. Herman's optimistic and upbeat perspective-- you can't help but smile as you read the doctor's case studies, real life illustrations and personal reflections. Dr Herman always inspires us to believe in ourselves (in spite of our shortcomings and challenges) as we set our sights on what we wish to accomplish.

The book also includes exercises and checklists, which spark creativity and inspire us to make steps towards personal growth and change.

"Secrets from the Sofa" includes:

* Identify & overcome your dissatisfaction in life
* How to shut off the tapes playing in your mind (negative self-talk)
* Identify defense mechanisms & negative coping styles
* Identify and acknowledge your problems
* Making a plan for personal transformation
* Pitfalls & roadblocks: How to get back on track
* Dealing with your feelings: depression, anxiety, guilt, anger
* Self-control & monitoring techniques that really work (and much, much more)

Isn't the title of this book irresistable? It's a throwback to the old practice of lying on a couch and divulging your deepest and darkest secrets to a shrink. Of course, it's no longer standard practice. Perhaps, the title is Dr Herman's way of laughing at himself, and encouraging the reader to loosen up and not take ourselves too seriously. Yes, we can have fun analyzing ourselves. Plus, we should never underestimate our ability to cope with problems and come up with workable solutions.

"Secrets from the Sofa" is the best book I've read all year. If you want to know Dr. Herman's secrets, get yourself a copy of this book! With most psychologists charging $60 (or more) per hourly office visit, "Secrets from the Sofa" is a real bargain at $20. I highly recommend this book to anyone who seeking personal balance and harmony in their life.

4.0 out of 5 stars IndieReader Review, January 9, 2012

By 

Amy Edelman - See all my reviews

This review is from: Secrets from the Sofa: A Psychologist's Guide to Achieving Personal Peace (Paperback)

Secrets From the Sofa offers a do-it-yourself psychoanalysis complete with exercises that make you think about and analyze your past, your thoughts, your personal issues.

It's a great way to recharge your batteries by being reminded of how negative childhood experiences can affect you, how destructive your own thoughts can be, how minor and temporary your problems often are when put into perspective, how much time you waste on negative thoughts and feelings.

Dr. Herman's emphasis is on cognitive therapy, which promotes the identification of the negative "tapes" that one plays in one's head and re-scripting them with positive messages. This method, now so much favored in the psychologist community, is so simple and yet so immensely helpful.

The author is wise and insightful, having been enriched and informed by his experiences as a young man in post-war Europe dealing with Jews rescued from concentration camps and German prisoners of war. His war/prisoner stories are very moving. And he offers a workable plan for at least making a good start on identifying and dealing with one's psychological issues.

Reviewed by IR Staff