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 Using Hans Andersen’s fairy tale about the emperor whose vanity lands him naked on parade, Judith Barr explores the stories of many kinds of power. While her accounts are mainly focused on power abuse in families and the helping professions, we know only too well how the same dynamics surround us. In politics, in the corporate world, in church institutions, even in our news sources, we can see many forms of abuse that distort reality, silence questioning, crush empathy, and build empires based on greed, power, and righteous self-aggrandizement.
Because Judith Barr’s parables are enjoyable and deceptively simple, they help to raise consciousness in non-threatening ways. They creep under our defenses to wake us up. Thus they can be used by parents, family therapists, pastoral counselors, and group leaders in their work. They can also be used for self-reflection, for it is not hard to find aspects of ourselves mirrored in them.
I would also like to see this book as mandatory reading for politicians and CEOs. Everyone claiming authority needs to know the dire consequences to self and to others of the power shadow. When we are not aware, we may find ourselves parading our grandeur and goodness as foolishly as the naked emperor, or as cruelly as any tyrant.
SYLVIA BRINTON PERERA
Jungian analyst, author of Descent to the Goddess: A Way of Initiation for Women
This is the best book on power and its abuse by therapists and spiritual leaders since Guggenbuhl-Craig's trenchant Power in the Helping Professions. Anyone whose therapy or discipleship has gone rotten through no fault of their own will find wisdom and comfort here. It should be required reading for all therapists and healers in training.
ROGER WOOLGER
Jungian analyst, Regression therapist, Noted international author and lecturer
As a Life Coach and Radio Host from “A Fresh Start” it was a pleasure and an honor to have had Judith Barr as a guest talking about her book: POWER ABUSED POWER HEALED. No holds were barred talking about the deep intense feelings of bullies and their victims in today’s society. She writes, “Each of us chooses, whether consciously or unconsciously, how we will use the power of our own life energy.” Her wisdom and compassion go beyond just the victim, we must understand the bully . . . Bullying is rampant and must be stopped. But it won’t be until we all do our own journeying! Kudos to Judith Barr who is making a difference! Read this book with eyes wide open and then expand your mind. This is a phenomenal book and a must read!
SALLIE FELTON
Life Coach and Transition Specialist
International Radio Talk Show Host
Author, Facilitator and Motivational Speaker
A radio host has a choice, to read or scan the book...that is the question. My preference is for an author to grab my attention and to get lost in the words and messages. However, rarely does a book capture my attention to the degree that Power Abused Power Healed by Judith Barr, did. There are some books that will ignite selfish behavior---do you want to loan your loved one a copy? Or should you stash a tidy sum of money and buy several copies for your friends and family? After reading the book, I felt that everyone should have their heart touched by reading the wonderful words that ignited change and encouraged me to confront the roots of power abuse. Get ready to grow...read for yourself and benefit from the personal healing that this amazing book encourages.
HOLLY CAMPBELL
Host of What A Woman Can Do
Internet Voices Radio
In her book Power Abused, Power Healed, Judith Barr’s anthology of cases of abuse is comprehensive and relevant. It is a vision into one of the darkest aspects of human nature and offers a model for healing and even prevention. I found her writing style to be clear and accessible. Judith’s commitment to the material is obviously heartfelt and I wish her the best in getting it out to the public.
LAURIE LAYTON SCHAPIRA
Jungian analyst and author of The Cassandra Complex: Living with Disbelief
We’re gonna get a copy [of Power Abused, Power Healed] and send it off to our politicians. And we encourage other listeners to do the same.
BRIAN THOMAS
55KRC Morning Show
Cincinnati, OH
Your book continues to inspire me. As a sensitive person, I appreciate your book for giving credence to the small and large ways that that people hurt each other as a result of lacking awareness. I'm very grateful to you for taking the time to write this book.
NOAH RUBINSTEIN, LMFT
Executive Director, GoodTherapy.org
Power Abused, Power Healed is a ground breaking work of art. It is skillfully written. Such depth and simplicity 'woven together'. I think this is what Truth is. I know I will be referring to Power Abused, Power Healed over and over again. I hope and pray that those who need this the most receive it.
NANCY PALAGANO
Brewster, New York
I really enjoyed Power Abused, Power Healed. Some of it was just what I needed to hear during the big transitions I am experiencing right now. I have recommended the book to several therapists I know as well as financial planners. It would be a great book for parents to read. It is truly a book for anyone.
CINDI HILL
Financial Planner San Diego, CA (Cindi reviewed Power Abused, Power Healed for The NAPFA Advisor and afterward also wrote to Judith.)
Judith Barr, who well knows the healing power of story, has compiled an inspirational book of stories, including provocative questions, on the misuse of power. This is a touching, inspirational and prayer-filled book.
PAMELA D. BLAIR, PH.D.
psychotherapist, spiritual counselor, and author of The Next Fifty Years: A Guide for Women at Midlife & Beyond
This book can be an open door for you to start to unravel the beauty of who you are. This is a wonderful book. It's a wonderful book that will move you into places and maybe unlock memories of things you'd forgotten all about. This is the place where, as you say, 'we are doing the work.'
SCOTT CLUTHE, Executive Producer and Host of Positively Incorrect
Intricate, many-layered, imaginative, based on real experience, engaging, moving, and thought-provoking, Power Abused, Power Healedis a many-faceted jewel, seemingly hewn from the author’s own painful witnessing of the variety of misuses of power. Not only in her professional healing work as a psychotherapist and Spiritual Midwife, but also through digesting her own encounters of abuse at the hands of those in power, as well as her own temptations to perpetrate like misuses in turn, Judith Barr has lovingly polished by hand to rare luster the ordinary ore of life experience. The resulting gem moves me to bow in reverence.
This is an important work, on a profound and timely subject, presented with humility, incisive insight, rich imagination and flashes of humor. I heartily recommend it —with the caveat, ‘Reader, beware, for these stories work themselves into one’s marrow.’
THE REV. DR. GENIA PAULI HADDON,
psychotherapist and author of Body Metaphors, Uniting Sex, Self & Spirit, and Through A Stroke of Luck
In her compelling book, Power Abused, Power Healed, Judith Barr dissects the mental state of world leaders who brutally abused their power over others. In an informative and engaging fashion she uses these examples to give us a fresh perspective on how each of us uses our own power. A 'powerful' book indeed!
STEVE ADUBATO, Ph.D.
author of Make the Connection and Speak from the Heart
TV host of One-on-One with Steve Adubato
Power is wonderful and it has a dark underbelly. In Power Abused Power Healed Judith Barr reveals the many ways that we can abuse it, often in the guise of helping others. A sobering and thoughtful read, this book will lead you on a wiser path to handling your power, and the possibility to create a more equitable and kinder world.
ALEXANDRA POPE
psychotherapist, women’s leadership coach
coauthor, The Pill: Are You Sure Its For You?
I am highly impressed with Judith Barr's work on healing relationships through story-telling that simply evoke “Oh, Wow.” Judith has a remarkable ability to help individuals profoundly change unhealthy relationships. Her style is soft, yet amazingly motivating and effective. Dramatic work, Judith!
DINA KHADER
Nutrition Consultant
Judith writes with wisdom, compassion, and commitment, providing an understanding of how and why people misuse and abuse power. She uncovers the many facets of healing the root cause of power abuse and offers a hopeful vision for human evolution as we align the right use of our power with our higher selves.
JACKIE HART
licensed massage therapist
When I first booked this I said ‘Oh, this’ll be interesting, but it won’t be anything too great.’ But after I got into the book, it talked to me, and it might just talk to you. After reading Power Abused, Power Healed, it helped me to heal . . .
Judith Barr has written a down-to-earth book. I loved it. Down-to-earth – Power Abused, Power Healed. This is one of the most dramatic, most important books I have read period.”
ERSKINE
Host of Erskine Overnight (Internationally Syndicated)
Judith Barr speaks with the voice of our common consciousness. Her realization that we are all part of one humanity gives her the insight to delve into the issue of power and abuse.
This book is a useful tool to help us all recognize how we are affected by the misuse of power. With this awareness we can take responsibility as a parent, therapist, business person, educator, or clergy to use the power of these positions, not for personal gain but for the benefit of all humanity.
KATHERINE LINDSETH, Taoist minister and director, Tao Healing Arts Society of New York
Somewhat hypnotized by your words, I have been completely immersed in your extraordinary gift to the Universe, Power Abused, Power Healed. In reading this, I have a whole new level of awareness and awakening to this idea of abuse in the healing profession. It has offered me the opportunity to reflect upon my personal life equally with my professional life. I have already referenced (and recommended) your book twice in the past 24 hours to clients and I know that as I continue to process I too will gain further wisdom and share that as well. Much like yourself, my passion is to support others in healing and living in their truth. Your book has taken me to new depths and I am so grateful for your gift. I thank you for sharing your wisdom and living your passion.
SUZI APRIL
life coach
Gloucester Point, Virginia
Judith Barr's book, Power Abused, Power Healed, is ESSENTIAL reading for everyone who interacts with anyone else, anytime, anyplace, because in any and every interaction there is an opportunity for power to be used with integrity or for power to be abused. When both parties in any interaction are aware of the distinctions described by Judith in her book, the foundation is laid for honest, open and powerful dialogue between the parties, without manipulation or abuse. Teachers, students, politicians, corporate executives, employees, parents, children, husbands, wives, doctors, psychotherapists, patients . . . I can't think of anyone who won't benefit from reading this insightful and thougthful book it has taken Judith a lifetime to create from the depths of her ever so compassionate soul.
CLIVE SWERSKY
Host of Alive with Clive
Channel 76
White Plains, New York
Power itself is not inherently bad; it is more an issue of how we use power. Too often, in our daily encounters, we are confronted with power-over in its many guises, from big-brother government to parental dominance to therapist authority.
In Power Abused, Power Healed, Judith Barr helps us see, move through, and heal from power-over and offers us an alternative, power-from-within. This use of power allows us to mend the tattered hoop of life.”
PAM MONTGOMERY
herbalist and author of Partner Earth: A Spiritual Ecology
Power Abused, Power Healed is a needed tool for the bookshelf of every healer working today. How do we first heal ourselves in order to heal others? It is a burning question and one imperative to this age. Can we recognize when and if our own imperfections are surfacing in a session?
This book, in a magical way, is gently powerful as it uncovers the types of abuse that can happen in our Spiritual Healing Communities. However unintentional abuses of power may be, even the most respected healers can fall prey or predator to their own imbalances.
It was synchronicity when Judith sent me this book after I had just experienced abuse of power. The book literally picked me up out of my confusion and gave me clarity in Truth. I was able to step back and recognize the Emperor, the child, the tapestry weavers.
Bless Judith for the timely delivery of her book. May it serve a great purpose for all, as it served a great purpose for my Self.
WENDY STEVENS, herbalist, founder of Garden Plum
Drawing upon the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale of 'The Emperor's New Clothes', Judith Barr has provided a perceptive and insightful work on the myriad of human experiences by which power is abused and the individual disempowered. Not only does she address the issue of power abuse and how that power abuse becomes engrained as an individual's life pattern. As importantly, if not more so, she offers human interest experiences as to how such abuse can be healed. The great beauty of this book lies in the voice of the author --- nonjudgmental, supportive, caring and providing the ways by which the individual heals their power and regains their soul. This book is an extraordinary book and highlights the extraordinary work of Judith Barr, a person who through her lifetime has wisely counseled, lovingly supported and adeptly offered the tools by which the individual can heal their wounds and regain their power. Brava!, Judith Barr.
FRANK MARTIN DON
Professional Astrologer
Judith writes in a straightforward, interesting, and unpretentious style. Power Abused, Power Healed is informative, its vision clear. It deserves widespread readership.
ROGER ZOTTI
"The Resident"
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