A Gift to Myself: A Personal Workbook and Guide to "Healing the Child Within" (Paperback)

by Charles L. Whitfield (Author) "Although mentioned since ancient times, the concept of the "Child Within" has been referred to and talked about with increasing frequency in the last decade..." (more)
Key Phrases: adult child recovery, full recovery program, ungrieved losses, Higher Power, Know the Difference, Twelve Steps (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This is a gentle and effective workbook and guide to Healing the Child Within. It can be used with or without having already read Healing the Child Within.

Using numerous experiential exercises that the reader can do at their own pace, physician and author Charles Whitfield takes us on a healing journey into our inner and outer life. Once a reader starts this book, the healing process begins -- even if they rarely do any of its exercises.

One of the highlights of this book is the clear description of age regression, one of the most crucial concepts in healing and recovery.

About the Author
Charles L. Whitfield MD is a pioneer in trauma recovery, including the way we remember childhood and other trauma and abuse. A physician and front line therapist who assists trauma survivors in their healing, he is  the author of fifty published articles and ten best-selling books on trauma psychology and recover.

For over twenty-three years he has taught at Rutgers University's Institute on Alcohol and Drug Studies. He has been a consultant and research collaborator at the CDC since 1998. He has a private practice in Atlanta, Ga, where he provides  individual and group therapy for trauma survivors and people with addictions and other problems in living. 

Product Details

• Paperback: 260 pages
• Publisher: HCI; illustrated edition edition (January 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558740422
• ISBN-13: 978-1558740426
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #26,871 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

96 of 97 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank God for this book, March 29, 2001

By	"ginazone" (Glens Falls, NY United States) - See all my reviews

My only complaint is that I had hoped to relieve all my internal emotional pain quickly, like by this weekend, and instead find it will take years! Whitfield recommends working this book over a 2-5 year time period, and my heart sank at the thought of hurting for that much longer! I now see that recovery is a process & there's no instant fix. It took all my life to make me this screwed up, no one could begin to fix my life overnight!

I started the book last month and left off at chapter 3. What I learned in Chapter 2 has taken me a month so far just to internalize it all, because I found that every aspect of my life is ruled by numerous fears! No wonder I am miserable & stuck! Some of the fears were ideas I had never considered for myself & now that Whitfield's questionnaire has so clearly pointed them out, I know they are ALL true for me. I instantly started feeling a bit of relief that finally, someone knows what the hell they are talking about & that I can trust that Whitfield won't take advantage of my vulnerability to feed me trash. I am slowly able to let go of more & more knowing I have this companion workbook to help me every step of the way, from recognizing the fears that sabotage my life & happiness, to discovering all of the many losses I never knew to grieve, to guiding me gently into that healthy necessary grief without fear of losing control of my emotions. I trust the process outlined in this workbook & know it to be the most valuable workbook I have ever & will ever, buy! If it had cost $100 it would have been worth every penny, luckily it was around $10. What a bargain for finally knowing all of the answers to the nagging doubts that have plagued me all of my 37 years. It was that voice, MY inner child, deep inside, begging to be recognized, begging to be loved & given a hug, wanting badly to come out & play & get some sun on her beautiful face.

Do yourself a favor, get this book! If you ONLY do chapter TWO it will be worth the price! I don't believe anyone can discover that many truths as in Ch. 2, and then ignore it and put this book down. I could guarantee that for any one who comes to this book open-minded & really ready to find out why they are so miserable, you will finally breathe a true sign of relief & know you're in the right place & that your misery is temporary. Inside you is the source of great happiness, fulfillment, imagine never being lonely or empty again! Imagine knowing everything you need to know when you need to know it, and realizing the source of this wisdom resides inside your self right now? Wow. Get it, work it, and finally, heal your wounded inner self & let the gorgeous real you come out & shine.

51 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helping to understand your feelings........, December 15, 1999

By A Customer

This book saved my life! Much of my self-defeating actions brought me nothing but pain & confusion. This book is A powerful tool to change your thoughts and behaviours that can lead to depression,fear,hopelessness,& procrastination.This not A book that you just sit down & read. It is A book for those who truly desire to put an end to all the madneass in their life & begin the journey of personal recovery. Think of it as food for recovery.

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Slow-healing COMPANION workbook, March 7, 2001

By	"ginazone" (Glens Falls, NY United States) - See all my reviews

I, as usual, had looked for a quick fix, meaning I bought the workbook without the original book (or ever having read it). Years ago I was skeptical about this "weird" child within stuff. Now I am convinced it is the key to my happiness & recovery that I start listening & paying attention! I have finished the 1st 2 chapters & I must say I learned more in those 2 chapters of this ONE workbook than in all other workbooks I've already completed! And I just started!!! Within the 1st 2 chapters you'll be amazed at how much your life is ruled by FEAR! Of everything! I was amazed at how much I "knew" but didn't KNOW until I was asked directly--then bing! Lights went on & my jaw dropped. No wonder I'm making myself miserable!!!

I am a bit disappointed that the author recommends stretching this book out over 18 MONTHS, or even 5 years! Yikes! I can't wait that long to feel good about me. :( I'll work it quicker because I've been through 12 step programs, therapy, support groups, even earned a Bachelors in Psychology trying to fix myself & my family--or understand it all. None of that helped as much as those 1st two chapters of this book--so far! It will take me weeks just to journal what the author brought up from within my depths, previously UN-touched by therapy, psyche degree, AA & Alanon--then I can hopefully go on to chapter 3...He's right, this may take awhile & I AM WORTH IT, as are YOU.

Still, I put it down mainly to order the original book, Healing the Child Within, so I can read it before picking the workbook up again. I suggest you get the original book first.

The best part is, my husband & I were facing separation & divorce (I devoured "Should I Stay or Should I Go;How Controlled Separation can Save Your Marriage" that's how close we are)--now he wants his OWN workbook! He's finally willing to face his past which was crippling us as much as my past was making me try to fix him while ignoring my own issues. I have been diagnosed several times starting at age 12, with PTSD from the severe traumatic child abuse, torture, sexual violence (the rapes started at age 4 & the last one was 2 years ago, I'm 37), it's a very sad story but real & my mistake was thinking I could heal all of that on one round of therapy a few years ago. I hated finding myself right back here again, still sick & hurting (literally ill with so many diseases, pain disorders & such I lost count), still in crappy relationships that abuse and hurt me while I keep trying to take control & responsibility for everyone else--but me.

After only 2 chapters I know this book is where I need to be (and wish I'd found years ago!) and if it takes a little time, the journey is well worth it with such a worthy companion as this set of books. BTW, I'm still trying to find LIVE support for this, they have AA and Alanon, which I don't fit, and I can't find CoDa or ACOA anywhere in southern Maine (if in Maine at all). I know from experience it takes more than working in isolation to heal the open wounds this book will deal with. Feel free to email me if you too are on that journey, maybe we could start one of our own. :)

Many paths, same journey.