'Speak From Your Heart And Be Heard: Stories Of Courage And Healing,' takes readers on a journey that is an illuminating exploration into intuition, resilience, and emotional honesty. The ebook version of the book will be available at no charge March 17 and 18, 2026.
We're human. We all do it. We're good at it. We describe someone or something in a word or short phrase.
We label people: Conservative vs. Liberal. Male vs. Female. Black vs. White. We label things: Foreign vs. Domestic. At its best, labeling, like categorizing, allows us to store extensive amounts of information in our brains.
Labeling, however, can be especially harmful when we use it in psychotherapy treatment settings.
Labeling people can have significant ramifications. It can lead to stigmatization and stereotyping, putting clients into narrow boxes, which may overlook their unique experiences. It can lead to oversimplification of complex behaviors, ignoring the nuances of an individual's situation. It can also lead to inaccurate diagnoses and ineffective treatment. Dr. Kixx Goldman, author of 'Speak From Your Heart And Be Heard: Stories Of Courage And Healing,' addressed this issue in an article on her website. In that article, she said in part:
Once upon a time, I counseled at a mental health center in a small town out of Vancouver. Years later I was inspired to write a short story, Monitored, about my work at the center with an interesting client, "Frank."
I set the story at Riverview Hospital, the British Columbia provincial mental health center. Though I never worked there, I'd always been curious about it. Riverview was shut down in 2012, before I ever had a chance to visit, but I'd always been intrigued by the name's romantic image. It conjured up images of rolling meadows and a serpentine river, idyllic for patients. I was disappointed to read the Huffington Post, which declared, "…it's a spooky place, with "deserted buildings and shadowy grounds."
Frank came to therapy because of conflict in his relationship. I was puzzled when the focus of our sessions quickly shifted and he reported "being monitored" at work. He thought co-workers were spying on him, breaking into his locked office and going through his papers and belongings. My hunch was that Frank's belief was illusory. Mental health professionals following a standard psychiatric approach, might say he met the definition of "paranoid," a mental disorder, because of his "delusion" that he was being singled out for harm. They would have prescribed medication for Frank and possibly hospitalization.
I never did embrace labels like "paranoid." As noted, it helps us store information. It can be practical to categorize, order and label. But unlike designer labels-Calvin Klein, Levi, Betsey Johnson to name a few-those we attach to people pathologize them. Bi polar is an especially popular label these days. Such descriptions can imply criticism and tend to be written-in-stone. This makes it difficult for a person to change. Once we label someone, we tend to make an end run around creating a constructive plan of action for change and healing.
Having been trained in the "soft sciences," of family systems theory, I couldn't, or wouldn't, assign a label like "paranoid delusional" to Frank. I saw medication or hospitalization as a last resort. I saw Frank's fears of being spied on as having the beneficial function of protection, helping him to avoid thinking of the painful problems in his relationship. My inclination was to use a compassionate approach, which focused on my client's strength. If Frank could see his "symptom" of feeling monitored as being beneficial in protecting him from facing painful feelings or conflicts, he'd be able to more easily accept those feelings and begin to address his relationship problems.
What I've noticed working with people is that if real change is to occur, they need to accept, or even embrace, their present situation. Showing clients how their problem or "symptom" is beneficial to them is part of an approach that is most successful, especially with individuals like Frank, who demonstrate openness, a capacity for self-insight, and willingness to embrace new ideas.
More is available at Goldman's website at https://drkixxgoldman.com.The ebook version of 'Speak From Your Heart And Be Heard' will be available at no charge March 18 and March 18, 2026 at Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Dr.-Kixx-Goldman/author/B07XCZ9SXS?.
'Speak from Your Heart And Be Heard' is not just a book-it's a beacon of hope and healing, offering readers real insight for navigating life with grace and resilience.
The eight engaging fictional stories in this collection are personal, drawn from experiences in Dr. Kixx's life and the lives of her clients. The characters are tested by everyday traumas...
* A devoted father and his daughter find hope in rewriting their past.
* With remarkable grit, a teacher escapes a surprise attack.
* To heal his childhood wounds, a man must conquer his fears.
* A therapist defies the establishment to protect her clients.
* As she confronts the church, a therapist regains her standing.
* A woman learns the risks of not speaking out.
* By sharing her story and bonding with peers, a woman overcomes her trauma.
As the characters in these stories find the courage to triumph over their challenges, they heal and grow.
These characters, inspired by real life people, show readers how to find the courage to transform difficult and traumatic life experiences, speak their truth and reclaim their power.
'Speak From Your Heart and Be Heard: Stories Of Courage And Healing' has received rave reviews from readers and reviewers. Leslie S. Greenberg, PhD, distinguished Research Professor Emeritus, Dept. of Psychology, York University said, " In each story, the characters' resilience is illustrated by how they transform difficult life stories into constructive final narratives. They find the courage to triumph over challenges to heal and they grow. The message of the book: speaking one's truth makes for desired change and healing."
In her review, Liz Moulden said, "The short stories from Speak from Your Heart and Be Heard have given me a second chance and a voice, the voice I never had. What's exciting about this book is each main character in these short stories experienced some kind of abuse/ trauma but each finds their inner voice. With help, they're able to heal. Anyone who has ever experienced abuse or trauma as I have will be able to see snapshots of themselves in these stories."
In addition, Dr. Goldman offers a treasure trove of related information on her blog. Her articles span topics from diversity to human relations, psychology, single parenting, immigration and children, marriage and family and much more. The blog can be found at her website.
Dr. Kixx Goldman is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at drkixxgoldman@gmail.com. 'Speak from Your Heart and Be Heard' is available at Amazon and other book retailers. More information is available on her website at https://www.drkixxgoldman.com.
About Dr. Kixx Goldman:
Dr. Kixx Goldman is an author, a psychologist, and a coach. Kixx grew up in post-war Seattle. Before following the call of the desert and moving to Arizona, Kixx married a Canadian, lived in Vancouver, and raised three children. During those years, she acted in the local theater. She played the vindictive Abigail in Arthur Miller’s Crucible. It was her most memorable role and a catalyst in her life.
Kixx earned graduate degrees in education and counseling psychology. In her private practice, she helped couples untangle fight cycles and recreate emotional intimacy. She also worked with individuals and families, and taught workshops on personal empowerment and conflict resolution. As a consultant in public schools, she helped students overcome learning problems and develop social skills.
Contact:
Dr. Kixx Goldman
https://www.drkixxgoldman.com
drkixxgoldman@gmail.com
Posts
