Kehr - Becoming whole: a healing companion to ease emotional pain and find self-love

Praise for Becoming Whole

Becoming Whole is best described as a pocket therapist. By sharing optimistic and compelling patient stories, personal reflections, and practical tools, Dr. Kehr literally becomes our Companion Advisor and provides a highly readable framework for understanding and solving many of the common problems we face throughout our lives. Weaving together self-help, psychotherapy, and medication, this book is a must-read for anyone striving to become whole and to create a more fulfilling life.

Harry L. Leider, M.D., MBA, chief medical officer and group vice president of Walgreens

Becoming Whole feels so personal, as if Im sitting and talking with the doctor in his office. I love the vivid, real cases in which we can find ourselves, the step-by-step tactics to do something, and the songs to go with each lesson. Its an emotional, visual, and auditory feast that adds a tactile hug to complete ones transformation to wholeness. My brain is on fire with new energy about what it means to be human.

Scott Halford, Emmy Award-winning writer and producer, Wall Street Journal best-selling author of Activate Your Brain

Becoming Whole takes a new track in providing insights into the therapeutic process. Instead of it being a psychoanalytic mystery, the process of what the therapist is trying to help the patient accomplish is spelled out explicitly. Cogent case examples are given that further clarify the therapeutic interactions. These are in the setting of a holistic approach that also includes medicines, vitamins, and other adjuncts. Together, these provide an excellent road map toward wellness.

Robert M. Post, M.D., professor of psychiatry at George Washington School of Medicine, head of the Bipolar Collaborative Network, and former chief of the Biological Psychiatry Branch of the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH)

My family is one of the millions who has a loved one with a mental disorder. Becoming Whole gave us game-changing, life-saving strategies that helped all of us. Dr. Kehr, who is as empathetic as he is brilliant, delivers on his promise to be a healing companion. The book is destined to become a classic.

Mary LoVerde, Hall of Fame speaker and author of I Used to Have a Handle on Life but It Broke

Becoming Whole is an insightful, accessible, powerful, and revealing self-help guide for therapy in which psychiatrist Bruce Alan Kehr, M.D., artfully uses patient stories to illuminate the challenges we face in untangling our hearts. Because these challenges shape the way we experience ourselves and our lives, Becoming Whole is not only a healing companion but a valuable life companion as well.

Steve Sidel, founder and CEO of Mindoula Health

A sensitively written guidebook full of engaging case histories and thoughtful action steps that empower readers to find their own solutions to difficult matters of the heart and mind. This book is invaluable for anyone seeking solace from pain.

Leslie D. Michelson, author of The Patients Playbook

Dr. Kehrs book should be lauded for providing strategies that alleviate biological and psychological factors underlying human suffering and should be required reading for any young adult as a road map on the real life ahead of them, as well as for anyone wishing to expand their situational awareness.

Francis Mas, M.D., clinical professor of psychiatry at the NYU School of Medicine

This powerful book will take you on a guided tour to the deep inside of your heart. Bruce Alan Kehr is an experienced and empathic companion on this journey. He encourages those with a tangled heart to answer the key questions of their emotional lives and shows an effective way to becoming whole again. I will share this book with many of my patients and just cant wait for its international distribution!

Dr. Marcel G. Sieberer, professor of psychiatry and psychotherapy at Hannover Medical School

A renowned thought leader in the field of psychiatry, Dr. Bruce Kehr succeeds in demystifying the most complex challenges we face as humans, offering empathy and understanding as well as thoughtful and practical solutions for building the relationships and lives we deserve. This book belongs on every bed stand to serve as a ready resource as well as a helpful reminder of the hope and possibilities of a future when people care for and take care of the people around them.

Denise Brosseau, author of Ready to Be a Thought Leader?

If you are suffering from the aftereffects of having been bullied, manipulated, controlled, neglected, or abused, then this book is for you. Becoming Whole offers innovative strategies to bring the emotional peace you long for. I highly recommend this book.

Sam Horn, author of six award-winning books translated into 17 languages, including Take the Bully by the Horns and Tongue Fu!; top-rated speaker by INC 500/5000

Becoming Whole is an outstanding book written by an expert in the field of mental and emotional health. Dr. Kehrs empathy and passion for helping patients is channeled into this well-written and thorough self-help guide. Becoming Whole teaches the reader how to put oneself into the shoes of the patient and then use that perspective to provide comfort and advice to others. Becoming Whole uses patient stories to provide the reader with valuable tools to help others and to live a more fulfilling and pleasurable life.

Michael Koffler, president and CEO of Genomind

Published by Greenleaf Book Group Press

Austin, Texas

www.gbgpress.com

Copyright 2018 Untangling Your Life LLC

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the copyright holder.

Distributed by Greenleaf Book Group

For ordering information or special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Greenleaf Book Group at PO Box 91869, Austin, TX 78709, 512.891.6100.

Design and composition by Greenleaf Book Group

Cover design by Dr. Bruce Kehr and Greenleaf Book Group

Cataloging-in-Publication data is available.

Print ISBN: 978-1-62634-385-6

eBook ISBN: 978-1-62634-400-6

Part of the Tree Neutral program, which offsets the number of trees consumed in the production and printing of this book by taking proactive steps, such as planting trees in direct proportion to the number of trees used: www.treeneutral.com

Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper

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First Edition

To Barbara, Melanie, and Lisa, whose unwavering love and unyielding belief in me continuously nourish my compassion and empathy and provide me the strength to heal... and to the many patients who have honored me with their confidence and trust and allowed me the privilege of helping them through their emotionally turbulent times.

CONTENTS

BEGIN THE JOURNEY: EASE EMOTIONAL PAIN AND FIND SELF-LOVE

SESSION ONE

Lets Talk

O pening the door to the waiting room and looking out, I notice that there is someone new sitting on the couch. Its you. You look lost in thought and are clearly in distress. I greet you with a warm smile, and as you look up at me, your eyes reveal both nervousness and the faint shadow of hopeful expectation. A familiar feeling of anticipation arises within me as I escort you back to my office: This moment marks the beginning of a new chapter in your lifeone defined by healingand I feel honored to be a part of your journey. Together, we will begin to untangle your heart and ease the emotional pain that has brought you here in the first place. Eager to hear your story, I ask you the first of many questions: Tell me, what brings you in today? What has been troubling you?