From the anxiety of coming out to self-acceptance and dealing with the stigma of AIDS, there is a vital need for many gay men and lesbian women to recover their self-esteem, as well as their emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Now Dr. Pimenthal-Habib, a clinical psychologist specialising in gay and lesbian issues offers encouragement and enlightenment through intimate real-life stories, meditations and a common sense one-on-one approach to life and love.
This is for gay men, lesbians, their friends and families.I have written this book not only for gay people, but also for anyone who counts a gay person among their loved ones. Based on my 10 years of clinical practice, it is my hope that, gay or straight, you will find Empowering the Tribe ~ A Positive Guide to Gay and Lesbian Self-Esteem helpful in your own journey toward greater self-esteem, emotional well-being, and spirituality.
There are many "Real Life Stories" throughout the book. You will read about: RUSS & JOEY, high school sweethearts facing small-town challenges; MIKE, who feels that he plays second fiddle to everyone else's needs; DONALD, who is having a very difficult time coming out to his parents, feeling that he'll be of great disappointment to them; LUKE & JUAN, one partner is out, the other isn't; LEE, who is learning to see himself as attractive, desirable and loveable; JEFFREY, a twenty-something gay man searching for big-city love in all the wrong places; and MARIA, a lesbian struggling with the meaning of spirituality while her own minister father refuses to perform same-sex ceremonies. And there are many more stories that will touch your heart and challenge your own deep-seated beliefs about what it means to be gay in our society.
You'll read about coming out in the chapter titled, "What A Difference A Gay Makes" and about the pressure to be accepted in "A Thing Of Beauty Is A Boy Forever". I also offer relationship guidance in "What Was I Thinking?", I discuss loss and grief in "Surviving Grief" and address religious persecution in "The Religious Right Is Neither." And of course, there are many, many more topics throughout the book. Some chapters, like "Re-parenting for Parents" are written especially for the parents of gay people, and for gay as well as straight people hoping to become parents themselves.
It is my hope that most major self-esteem issues have been addressed in this book, covering childhood & family problems, adult relationship concerns, and challenges faced throughout society-at-large. I have included many examples of affirmations and guided meditations to assist you with working on the issues presented in each chapter. Also, there are self-assessment tests and state-by-state gay and HIV resources in the back of the book.
A well-respected gay artist/activist said that my book is a "blueprint for self-improvement, a how-to for soul preservation." A mother who is also a doctor of education called it "a recipe for understanding, growth, compassion and love." I like that. I welcome your comments and look forward to hearing what this book means for you!
As a therapist and speaker who loves to give talks on self-esteem, wellness through meditation, loss & grief and more, I would be happy to hear if you are involved with an organization interested in gay/lesbian issues, mind/body empowerment or other topics on which I do seminars. Being bi-coastal, I may be coming to a city near you!
I sincerely hope you enjoy Empowering the Tribe, and share it with your friends and family. Be well. ~ Dr. Rick.
