Book Review

Amazon Reviews from earlier edition of It’s OK Not To Be OK

A Very Readable Book in a Reassuring and Encouraging Voice

Reviewer: Anne Marlone (Baldwin, NY USA)

I read this book at the urging of a friend and was really impressed by it on several levels. Almost immediately I was drawn into the book by the very pleasant tenor and tone of Dr. Lerner's writing. He manages to provide a plethora of practical advice, reassurance and encouragement in a very intimate and personal fashion, while avoiding even a hint of condescension (not an easy feat in this genre). Even the very structure of the book is indicative of the writer's care and concern in disseminating this very valuable information in a clear, cohesive and concise way. The chapters, topics and discussions are broken down into very manageable segments which allows the reader to spend as much time and energy as he is comfortable at any one sitting without feeling overwhelmed. In short, this is a very readable book that provides a survivor with practical step by step guidelines to lessen the pain and feelings of isolation and to begin the healing process. I strongly recommend it.

A Great Resource That You Can Understand!

Reviewer: Carolynce "Social Worker" (Minnesota informed)

If you want to know how a traumatic experience can affect you this is a book for you. Dr. Mark Lerner clearly provides the permission to feel -Not Okay -- during a very abnormal time in your life. This is a must have for your healing journey.

A Must Read for Any Medical Professional

Reviewer: George Rogu M.D. (New York)

This extraordinary work has taught me to adapt some simple strategies, enabling me to better help my patients when they are experiencing a traumatic event. I am grateful to the author for creating such a powerful, and accessible book. The instruction is clear, concise, and most importantly, easy to follow. Guidance is offered when challenging feelings arise. I do not believe that you need to be experiencing a traumatic event in order to read this book, it should be required reading for any professional in the medical field. I can't say enough about the usefulness of this book.

"A Precious Gem for the Wounded Soul"

Reviewer: Dr. Mary F.DiDio, D.C.

Dr. Lerner has given an invaluable gift to the victims of traumatic events by validating their pain, shock and confusion and by giving them the calm reassurance that what they are feeling, or NOT feeling is not unusual. His simple and methodical approach gently helps give order to emotional chaos and allows the reader the confidence to take the initial steps necessary in their journey of healing. Dr. Lerner's sensitivity shows by keeping the book brief and concise and therefore, manageable for victims at a time when they most likely may have difficulty processing difficult or wordy concepts. At the same time and perhaps most importantly, Dr. Lerner helps triage the victim's feelings and reactions in a way that will help keep them safe during this most difficult period. This book is a priceless and welcome aid to family members and friends in their desperate quest and desire to help their loved ones cope with the stress of a traumatic event. Highly recommended!

Simple Steps to Live By After Traumatic Experiences

Reviewer: Elissa Deena

This book gives you a simple step by step approach to dealing with traumatic stress. No matter what your experience was, and regardless of how long you have been living with it, this book gives you the ability to deal with it and live life again. Traumatic experiences can strangle a person, but this book allows you to remove the noose and move on. Don't delay in getting this book, and don’t put off Dr. Lerner's step by step approach to finding the ability to thrive any longer. Traumatic experiences are beyond our control, but with this book as a guide, you can take control over your life once again!

I Regained My Life.... You Can Too!!

Reviewer: Jess Martin

After 9-11, and losing a loved one in the WTC, I thought my life was also over. Not having a body to bury, not having remains, not knowing when things would be rebuilt all added to my stress and to my depression. After all this time, when Sara lent me the book, I knew it wouldn’t make a difference, I knew it couldn’t help. Boy, was I WRONG! Not only does this book give you a simple yet effective guide to help you through trauma, it gave me the courage and self realization, to know that I couldn’t have changed 9-11 or its effect on me, and figure out that it was time to move on. I left and went shopping today. Not because I had to get groceries, but to the mall, just for pleasure. I am sorry I didn’t find this book sooner, and pray that anyone reading this, let it be proof for you that you can make it through. I know I am not alone, and that many have traumatic experiences, and I thank you Dr. Lerner, for writing this book, and helping me see that I can be whole again. Thank you Sara for lending me the bible to regaining my life! I wholeheartedly recommend this book for anyone facing a traumatic experience. This saved me and it can save you also. We all deserve a life, and now I have one again!

Healing Information for ALL of Us

Reviewer: Daniel J. McGuire (Rochester, NY USA)

Get this book, make a cup of good tea, find a quiet space to enjoy, learn and thrive! I work with emergency responders who have experience traumatic events and will be recommending this book to them, as well in our traumatic stress training programs. Dr. Lerner is a very gentle,honest and benevolent person and it shows once again in his written work. This is one book that can help even the most stoic of us, emergency responders and others to believe that trauma doesn't have to be an ever-scaring event in our lives but one in which to find and take opportunity to grow, heal and simply be better.

This Book Speaks to the Survivors and Their Loved Ones

Reviewer: Stewart Gittelman (New York)

Although specifically directed to those who have experienced a traumatic event in their lives, Dr. Lerner has provided much needed assistance in helping family members and friends of victims of traumatic events understand what the victim is experiencing and how s/he can survive and thrive in spite of his/her recent horrible experience. Dr. Lerner focuses on immediate "psychological first aid" that needs to be administered to help a victim go through the process of dealing with the unthinkable. Without this book, many will wait too long to get the help they need, suffering and thinking they are alone in the world with their painful memory and loss. Such waiting puts the victim at greater risk of incurring the long term ramifications of traumatic events: poor health, job loss, divorce, inability to thrive, psychological problems (e.g., PTSD), etc. Dr. Lerner asks the reader to recognize that although, immediately following a traumatic event, this may not seem like the time to be reading a book, it is actually the best time to be getting the help that is offered in this book. His style of writing constantly speaks to the possible skepticism of the reader and gently earns the reader's respect and attention. His approach to the reader is warm, sensitive and, most important, concise and to the point. Thank you Dr. Lerner for an invaluable resource.

Let This Book Help to Ease Your Way Through Your Traumatic Experiences!

Reviewer: Rachel Cohen (New York, USA)

I received this book as a gift. I picked it up to read, and put it down a few times, to ponder the title. I found the title itself to be quite representative of what I was feeling, as I am someone who deals with chronic illnesses that, at times, can pose quite a challenge in my daily life. I opened the book, and started to read it, and wasn't able to put it down. I was in the waiting room of a doctor's office. Two other patients in the hematology/oncology office asked where they could get the book. The nurse in the office asked me to borrow the book when I finished reading it. What I realized though, is that I need to get a second copy, (which I just ordered through www.ItsOkNotToBeOk.com) so that I can lend it out, and hold onto mine, because I have read it three times already and plan to read it again. I found it so helpful, in assisting me to realize my feelings were normal. It helped me get through some news I received, later that day, when I saw the doctor, and went home to start reading it again. Each time I read the book, I find a little bit more that I might have missed the prior time, or maybe wasn't ready to relate to my situation and deal with yet. It is a book that I will always keep close at hand, and close to my heart. This is a wonderful guide to help anyone through a traumatic experience of any kind. It is a truly invaluable resource for me and I highly recommend it to anyone who is going through any traumatic experience, as I am sure it will serve the same purpose for them. I am very grateful to the person who gave me this book, as it has proven to be a comfort to me in some traumatic periods in my life. Get yourself a copy, and let it do the same for you, and help ease your way through your traumatic experiences!

This is the Absolute Bible for the Trauma Survivor

Reviewer: Jayne Prince (New Jersey USA)

This book gave me my life back. A few weeks ago, a particularly astute relative gave me this book as a gift on my 30th birthday. She told me it had helped her be able to "see the future and be excited about it" despite her current situation. Unsure what she meant, I took it and put it down on my coffee table. But the title rang in my head over and over for the next day until finally, I picked it up and read all the way through it in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. The one thing that came through the most about this book is that its almost like the author is reading your mind! Every thought, every concern, every question I had was answered just as I was thinking it. It didn't take me long to know that not only did this guy know his stuff about people going through trauma, but he was saying something no one else had ever said. I've been in and out of trauma counseling for years and not once has anyone ever given me the power and permission to feel what I've been feeling. Dr. Lerner did it in just the title alone! I now am looking forward to my future instead of just hoping to survive it! I can never even imagine having said that just a month ago and now, although I still have hard times, I need only return to the book and read certain chapters as a "pick me up." I can't explain how nice it is to know that FINALLY someone has started listening to us instead of just telling us how we should be. Thank you Dr. Mark Lerner!! I have since bought many copies of this book from the website (www.itsoknottobeok.com)and have been handing it out to everyone in my support group which has gotten a similar response. I recommend this to ANYONE going through a major life change, ANYONE wondering if tomorrow is worth it, ANYONE that feels that life can only get worse. This book is the bible for the trauma survivor on how to take your life back.

Many books aim to help us in the aftermath of a crisis. This book is unique—it can help you now ... while you’re living through a challenging experience.

During a crisis, there’s always a rush to address our physical needs—but what about our emotional needs? What can be done to ease our hurt, keep us functioning and lessen the likelihood of ongoing suffering?

It’s OK Not To Be OK, During a Crisis will empower you to move from victim to survivor and, ultimately, thriver. It offers timely information, inspiration and hope.

It’s OK Not To Be OK, During a Crisis

How to Live Through & Overcome a Challenging Experience

by Dr. Mark Lerner

Mark D. Lerner, Ph.D.

SECOND EDITION

Paperback, 160 pages

Available in Quantity from Publisher