Book Highlight: “Numb” by Kay Gackle, LMFT
Reviewed by Michelle Garrett, MS, LMFT
Being numb can be considered a feeling, the same as white is considered a color. The color white exists because it absorbs no color; it is literally the absence of color. In the same way, “numb” is the absence of feeling. The color white can be seen when it is against a background of other colors. Likewise, we recognize being numb against the knowledge of where other feelings would typically exist.
Many times, when we are exposed to trauma or face chronic stress and busyness, it takes a toll on us emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. When this occurs, we may actually begin to feel detached from our experiences, our people and ourselves. Emotionally, this feels numb: the absence of feeling.
In this book, we identify what being numb looks like in everyday life, how we get numb, and the problems and symptoms surrounding it. Not stopping there, we will journey together into a deeper understanding of our emotions and begin to let ourselves feel again. Through other’s stories, engaging questions and practical tools, we can find healing and move beyond being numb.
The book Numb actually takes you through the process of healing by reacquainting you with the emotions you have detached from and then helps you to use them as a barometer to guide you towards healing. Through the process of identifying feelings, naming them, analyzing truth and facts related to those feelings, we can then make healthier, intentional choices in life. More importantly, as we begin to heal these areas in our lives and start feeling again, we begin to connect more deeply to the important people and parts of our lives. Warning: As this occurs, you will feel pain. It also means you will begin to feel joy and so many other emotions in between. The book itself will guide and support you in this process. You are not alone.
“Numb” is a book for those who have experienced great hardships and have had to turn their emotions off to deal with life. But, it is also a book for many of us who experience chronic stress or have just succumbed to living a life characterized by over commitment and detachment from the most meaningful things in our lives. It’s a great book to help us all re-attune ourselves to the truly important aspects of ourselves so that we can live our lives with greater meaning and purpose.
I hope you will either order a copy of this book online or find a copy you can pick up for a great price in the lobby at TLCC!
Author: Kay Gackle, LMFT. Kay is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of Oklahoma and, also a clinical member at Transforming Life Counseling Center.
