Beyond the Good Girl Jail

"Beyond the Good-Girl Jail is a seminal book for both therapists and clients. Wise, accessible, and filled with illustrative case histories, it's more than just clear and instructive; it's a page-turner that's hard to put down. Each chapter feels like a revelation, adding depth and dimension to the perennial question of what it is to become whole, real, and rooted in one's essential self. The clear prose brings the reader to insight over and over again—'aha, I really get that!' The poetry deepens the insight and goes directly to the heart. This book is a treasure that is bound to become a classic for both therapists and their clients. Brava, Sandra!"

—Joan Borysenko, PhD
New York Times bestselling author, Minding the Body, Mending the Mind

"This is a book every woman must read. Sandra Felt is correct, it has not been written before and it speaks to all of us women. I started reading it and didn't want to put it down. It is a book that you will keep and re- read. It is our 'get out of jail' card! It's not a free get out of jail card—we have to do the work—but Sandra offers the path."

—Claudia Black, PhD, author, It Will Never Happen to Me, Repeat After Me, and co-author The Missing Piece: Solving the Puzzle of Self

"Sandra's book, Beyond the Good Girl Jail hits the target in understanding what happens to children from painful families. Her story is provocative, inspiring, and clear. Not only does it explain the depth of confusion and emotional pain suffered by children (and adult children) who are traumatized, it offers direct and easy to understand tools for moving from pain to comfort and from confusion to clarity. It is an empowering read. I highly recommend this book."

—Sharon Wegscheider-Cruse, MS, CDC, author, family therapist, public speaker, and founder of Onsite Workshops

"The foundation of all healthy relationships is honest self-awareness. Beyond the Good-Girl Jail lays that foundation in concrete. It zeroes in on the heart of the matter."

—Pat Love, EdD, co-author, Never Be Lonely Again

"There are not enough superlatives to describe Beyond the Good-Girl Jail. It is brilliant, well-written, practical, and user-friendly, whether the reader is a psychotherapy client, a therapist, or simply interested in bettering her life. The book reflects both Sandra Felt's therapeutic acumen as well as the transparent authenticity of her own healing process. This book is not formulaic self-help Pablum but a work of tremendous depth and complexity presented with remarkable clarity, wisdom, and compassion—a must read."

—Lorie Dwinell, LICSW WA, LCSW NM

"This insightful and warmly written book provides the keys to unlock and free our muffled selves from our respective cages and thereby finally and fully respond to all of life's opportunities, challenges and joys...both inside and out."

—Gregory Boothroyd, PhD, LPC, professor emeritus, Western Michigan University, co-author, Going Home: A Positive Emotional Guide for Promoting Life-Generating Behaviors

"I found this book to be comforting, personal, and supportive in many ways. It helped me reflect on my own life, and my efforts to be a whole person with a sense of self. I really appreciate how Sandra interweaves her personal story with client examples, useful information to expand core concepts, and her own poetry. What affected me most in Sandra's book was her honesty. Time and again, she shared about her choice points, revealing the depth of her personal integrity and how she was able to bring her values and her life choices into alignment.

"While the book includes some of Sandra's journey, I think her story is also every woman's story, that we each must confront the same issues that Sandra confronts. This book is a valuable tool for women finding their voice and seeking their lost Self. I found it very inspiring... I think you will, too."

—Janae B. Weinhold, PhD LPC, co-author, Breaking Free of the Co-dependency Trap, The Flight from Intimacy and Healing Developmental Trauma

"As Sandra Felt shows, the Good-Girl syndrome is a mask, a prison, a trap that limits people's lives, deadens their relationships, and drains them of energy. As I have often witnessed, it is also a major source of physical and mental pathology. Sandra has written a simple yet elegant guide to escaping the prison and finding the true self that has so long languished underneath the mask. This book will enhance your health."

—Gabor Maté, MD, author, When the Body Says No: Exploring the Stress-Disease Connection

"Beyond the Good-Girl Jail is a title at once provocative and hopeful. Therapist Sandra Felt has written a very wise and compassionate book for trauma survivors, many of whom struggle to identify with—or even like—who they are. Using vignettes from her own recovery, original poetry, and a depth of thoughtfulness, she provides readers with concrete suggestions and benchmarks for recovery that are founded on them as individuals rather than on the rules and the desires of others."

—Christine A. Courtois, PhD, ABPP, psychologist in independent practice, national clinical trauma consultant for Brightwater Landing, and author, It's Not You, It's What Happened to You

"Beyond the Good-Girl Jail is an amazing book about the transformation of beliefs that were supposed to make one happy only to discover that they were meaningless. This is a book of self-exploration and the courage it takes to live the life that works for you. I highly recommend this well-written and thought-provoking book for everyone who wants to live a life of meaning and for those whose who truly want to find their true selves. You won't be disappointed."

—Robert J. Ackerman, PhD, author, Perfect Daughters, and editor, Counselor magazine

"Sandra Felt extends an invitation that should not be missed to join her on a journey to examine and develop your 'true self.' She includes detailed guidelines on ways to recognize, reconnect with, rebuild, and return home to yourself. She demonstrates how to be open to awakening moments and how to take risks in order to invite aliveness and happiness into one's life. She creatively uses a combination of personal anecdotes, case studies, and poetry to demonstrate how to 're-story' one's life. Psychotherapists will find the practical suggestions offered a useful resource to use with their clients."

—Don Meichenbaum, PhD, distinguished professor emeritus, University of Waterloo, research director of the Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention

PR outreach will include a variety of self-help and women’s media: monthly and weekly publications, radio and TV

Felt will be visible through speaking engagements, booksignings and media coverage will be pursued in the cities where she will be engaged

More comprehensive than most books about the self, Felt's approach is truly liberating.Written in simple, engaging language, it will appeal to women of diverse backgrounds.Includes numerous examples that illustrate everyday applications readers to which readers will relate.Felt takes a non-religious approach and utilizes a universally-spiritual viewpoint.It will resonate with everyone who is exhausted from not feeling "good enough" when it comes to pleasing other people in their lives.It holds a special attraction for trauma survivors who are healing and in need of someone or something to trust.Everyone who feels that something is missing from their lives will benefit, including those who value and search for personal growth, spirituality and deeper meaning in life and anyone experiencing a major life transition.Mental health practitioners, addiction counselors, psychotherapists, and health care professionals will also find the concepts and ideas in this book especially useful for relating to clients in ways that help them feel safe.