First published 2020
Psychologist Stefanie Stahl addresses a universal human need: the desire to feel loved and safe while expressing our authentic selves. Her therapeutic method focuses on reconnecting with two aspects of our inner child. The shadow child represents our deepest insecurities and damaged self-esteem, while the sun child embodies our greatest joys and intact positive self-worth. Stahl explains how daily traumas, social pressures, and judgment from parents and peers bury our true selves under protective behaviors driven by fear, shame, and mistrust. Through practical exercises and real-world examples, she guides readers to identify their shadow child's twelve self-protection strategies and implement proven self-reflection techniques. The book offers concrete tools to overcome negative beliefs and influences, helping readers bring their authentic selves into the light and embrace their unique individuality.
Genres: psychology, self-help, non-fiction, personal-development
Vibes: intimate, self-reflective, thought-provoking
Tropes: personal-growth, self-discovery
352 pages · Paperback · Penguin Life
Content warnings: emotional-abuse