Emotional Freedom

Starred review from November 24, 2008
Orloff (Second Sight
) offers a superbly written series of psychological strategies for maximizing positive emotions and minimizing toxic ones. A practicing psychiatrist, the author straddles the worlds of mainstream medicine and alternative healing; she regards emotions as a training ground for the soul, and views “every victory over fear, anxiety, and resentment as a way to develop your spiritual muscles.” As the self is the foundation for emotional freedom, the author discusses how readers can find their emotional type—intellectual, empathic, rock or gusher—and suggests how to find balance. Her tips include avoiding “emotional vampires” or consulting dreams, which she divides into three types: psychological (where fears and neuroses express themselves), predictive and guidance. The second half of the book tackles the most difficult life challenges: depression, loneliness, anxiety, frustration, rejection, grief, envy and bitterness. Orloff addresses each fully and frankly, using anecdotes from her own life and practice—the death of her mother, her own crippling envy. This insightful and positive book will assist anyone who is suffering in mapping a path out of pain.

January 15, 2009
Psychiatrist and best-selling author Orloff ("Positive Energy"; "Dr. Orloff's Guide to Intuitive Healing") successfully combines spirituality and intuition with traditional medicine. In Part 1, Orloff presents four components of emotionbiology, energy, spirituality, and psychologyand provides a 20-question assessment to highlight individuals' strengths and weaknesses. She addresses the use of dreams in making life changes and teaches the reader how to meditate. Orloff divides Part 2 into seven chapters, each devoted to a difficult negative emotion. Throughout, Orloff details how one can use the four components of emotion to transform negative emotions into positive ones and become a more centered and emotionally healthy person. For example, she provides an action plan to help readers respond to anger from a more empathic place instead of spinning out of control. This well-written book is full of good advice for anyone who wants to take more control of his or her emotional life. Highly recommended for all libraries. [See Prepub Alert, "LJ" 11/15/08.]Phyllis Goodman, West Chester Lib., OH

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