What People Say About Power Abused, Power Healed

“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

"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 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'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 ,  “Alive with Clive,”
     Channel 76, White Plains, New York

"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