Mental Clarity: Clearing Away the Confusion

Sometimes in life it takes one special person who comes along to help us at just the right time, who can enable us to change and overcome what burdens us. For one fragile young woman named Emma, . struggled with memories of childhood abuse, meeting Angela Glaser Bowers, Ph.D., a therapist, was a life-altering; life-saving experience. A new book, Overcoming, shares the remarkable story of one woman’s triumph over trauma, and details how unconventional approaches by her psychologist – and their incredible bond – helped her reclaim her life and flourish.

“I wrote this story because my patient had so many incredible challenges that most any reader would find interesting, and in some way relatable,” says Dr. Bowers. “I also wanted people who are considering undergoing therapy for themselves, to see what it is really like to be in therapy and how one can achieve positive outcomes.”

What makes Overcoming unique, interesting, and helpful, is that the story is told both from the perspective of the psychologist and that of the patient. Included in the book are many letters, faxes, notes, and emails that were exchanged between the two over several years, allowing for a glimpse into Emma’s internal mental world – as well as the challenges and struggles Dr. Bowers confronted in order to effectively treat her.

“This book will appeal to anyone who has ever faced, or has been close to someone who has struggled with depression, anxiety, abuse, or trauma,” says Dr. Bowers. “There are detailed sections where Emma struggled with memories of childhood abuse and how this history played out in her current relationships. How I was able to direct her and support her through these moments was a large part of Emma’s recovery, which is covered extensively in the book.”

“Each therapist needs to have boundaries to stay professional. However, there are rare times when those boundaries may need to be re-assessed and potentially crossed. To save a life, I did push the envelope and crossed some boundaries. I made some therapeutic decisions that were highly unconventional, and yet, had I not made them, I strongly believe that Emma might not be alive today.”

Dr. Bowers will share the following in an interview:

• How people can recover from any trauma and thrive with therapy.

• Why it is sometimes necessary for a therapist to cross boundaries.

• Ways therapists can help the most challenging patients – even when fighting self-doubt, frustration, and convention.

• Tips for coping with depression, anxiety, and trauma.

• How one person can make an immense difference in one’s life.

• What really happens in a therapist’s office.

• If people can really change their lives.

• The power of resilience and to forgive those who’ve hurt us.

“My client had no belief in her ability to heal, and the only reason she ever stepped into my office was because she was forced to by her boss, or she would have lost her job,” shares Dr. Bowers. “It was the unconditional acceptance and understanding that she received in therapy that began to give her the hope that her life could get better. She was willing eventually to be vulnerable and shine light on the darkness that she felt all her life. When she was not rejected, as she so often had been, she began to change and grow in confidence, and her self-esteem began to be repaired. Now, so many years later, she has had a productive and engaged life.”

Emma’s challenges with childhood sexual abuse, abandonment, depression, substance abuse, sexual identity confusion, grief, and forgiveness are all navigated with sometimes hair-raising drama and unpredictable chaos throughout their work together. It is a story of triumph, bravery, and healing that has a profound impact on the reader who rides the emotional roller coaster with Dr. Bowers and Emma.

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