Overcoming the Destructive Inner Voice

True Stories of Therapy and Transformation

By: Robert W. Firestone

Narrated by: Will Damron

Length: 7 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

Many people grapple with destructive thought processes or a "critical inner voice" that directs their behavior and, to varying degrees, limits their lives. Using deeply personal and very human stories based on his own clinical practice, noted psychologist Robert W. Firestone illustrates the struggles of his clients to give words to this "enemy within", and in the process overcome its damaging influence. These revealing and captivating stories offer glimpses into the uniquely human relationship that develops in the therapeutic encounter and demonstrate the powerful impact that the experience has on both client and therapist.

Dr. Firestone is the originator of a therapeutic method called "Voice Therapy", by which clients learn to identify the language of the defense system and eventually separate their own point of view from its harmful effects. Each story provides an intimate look into one person's life, illuminates aspects of his or her "dark side", and highlights an important insight into the therapeutic process.

This sensitively written book will evoke emotional responses in listeners, and inspire them to take action to challenge the dictates of their own inner critic.

©2016 Robert W. Firestone (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Rounding off these 11 personal accounts is an appendix that plainly illustrates the how-tos of voice therapy, making it clear that anyone can practice it with or without a therapist...professionals in the field of psychology will find the book repays the reading time with plenty of insight." ( Publishers Weekly)

Terrific

This is a lively account of personal stories of counseling in which people who are suffering found real help. The afterward/appendix was particularly insightful, summarizing what to do about your critical inner voice.

Skip from first to last for best message

The first few chapters and the Appendix of the book have a lot to offer. Most of the stories are just bizarre and or self gratification for the author. Final message is the meat of what I was looking for.

great stories.

great stories. I was expecting it to be more practical. I'm big fan of Robert W. Firestone. I wish there are more books of his in audio format.

Book of stories

This was a very interesting book. I was expecting more applications of the principles then stories. But there were definitely more stories than application. Luckily the appendix has a quick application of the process of overcoming destructive thoughts and there's a reference to another book that he wrote about overcoming destructive thoughts. I think the process is great the application is great and truly a self-elevating process. I can't wait to read the other book.

I gained life changing insights from this book.

This is one of the top 10 books I've ever read. I'm really grateful I happened to discover it. I loved what I learned about the wrong ways one can handle parents' death which is to internalize their negative traits or their negative massages. I learned that the thought of suicide is a pain killer. I learned that premature ejaculation may be derived from thinking that one is not supposed to be a mature and sexual man.

Excellent information for therapeutic work.

This book was an eye opener on the therapeutic use of voice therapy. The case studies are very beneficial because the results were personal for each client, and their struggles mirrored so many others in daily life. I especially appreciate the pace and tone of the narrator; I found his reading therapeutic.

Just Ok

This book has some good insights but the way it’s structured is confusing and not cohesive.

Thank goodness for this book!

I've struggled most of my adult life with an inner and outer critic that hurt me and those I love. Listening to this book gave me key insights on my own behavior that has gone a very long way to helping me realize what has been going on for so many years. Thank you, Dr. Firestone!

Insightful Book, Not Self Help Book

I recommend this book to those who are interested in learning a theoretical orientation and practice through story telling rather than didac writing. I work in mental health, and found this book to be helpful in showing another lens through which to better understand and work with others and myself. I appreciated the author's lens for understanding character defenses, and how attuned and authentic relationship in therapy can work to orient someone towards more presence and connection within their life.

Some of the less happy reviewers seem to have invested time in this book under the impression it was a self help book, which it is not. Frankly, it reads more geared as towards those who are working in the field of Psychology and Mental Health.

Great idea, but book is long and wandering

The idea of acting out the voices in our heads in the second person is a great one. All you really needed was the first striking story to get it. The next few chapters were somewhat helpful, but soon the book veered into the bizarre and author-gratification. This idea could be told in such a shorter space with a few more instructions and been much more effective.