This one was not my ~vibe~. As someone with anxiety, I appreciated some of the framing in this book. I found some bits useful for myself, but I didn’t feel particularly connected to this self-help book. Maybe it’ll be suited for someone else?

As a lover of superheroes, I was immediately drawn to this book; and even after I learned that it was not about Superman getting psychoanalyzed I was interested. Being set up as a group therapy session in which the reader is a participant, this unique approach to "self-help" really shows our connectedness through feelings that often isolate us. Grab your cape (or towel/blanket/bedsheet), paper, and a pen because the doctor is in!

Pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this book. It was a quick and easy read. The writer uses the setting of group therapy with 7 women, coming from all different cultures, sexual orientation, sexual identities, and shapes and sizes, who have experienced trauma as a way to showcase the information. I really enjoyed this different way of educating the readers, so it’s not dry and boring, but interactive and really actually makes you feel like you are in group therapy. A good balance to learn the j formation in a way to apply it to the self and remember it going forward.

Of course I thought this book would be more about possibly using the super woman pose as a technique and maybe other things of the like. Superwoman pose is about standing in super person stance, opening up your body, head held high, arms on hips, opening up the nervous system. This works to trick the brain into confidence and general feeling better. But this book is about using the analogy of being a super woman and how to break down trauma to see what powers one possesses.

Overall useful tools.

As someone who works in the mental health field and has personally struggled with depression, I believe that the author had good intentions when she conceptualized the book ‘Super-Women Superhero Therapy for Women Battling Anxiety, Depression, and Trauma’ but the book missed the mark. #SuperWomen #NetGalley

Thank you, Netgalley and New Harbinger Publications for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Super-Women by Janina Scarlet is a self-help book for women who are trying to overcome their anxiety, trauma, and depression. The struggle is real for most women and the constant battle to overcome these emotions is not an easy job. Janina Scarlet has crafted a Superhero therapy that is focused on providing women with the necessary tools to combat the resurfacing issues. Using the different tools, you will learn to explore the different emotions and experiences. You are taught to process them and accept them by using self-compassion and mindfulness. The technique involves as the name suggests building your own Superhero story. You re-write your own origin story and find your purpose and make it into your superpower through the different strategies and exercises provided in the book.

This was group therapy in a nutshell and you will be transported into a room of 7 women from different walks of life coming together to deal with their mental health battles. The book dives into the different women’s lives as they contribute their stories. The author gives responses to each of their experiences and talks through things that make them handle it better. With each truth that comes out, we get to see and learn about strategies and exercises to solve the underlying issues. The solutions are again simple and straightforward.

Overall, I believe this is a great resource for people who are looking for help or are interested in learning necessary tools to get better and combat issues that are holding you back from letting you live your life fully and freely. I gave the book 4.5 stars and highly recommend checking this one out. If you love self-help book, add this to your collection as there are valuable gems in it that will make your life easier and simpler.

TL;DR -- Well-intentioned, inclusive book for self-identifying young women to help them process trauma and recognize their "Super-Women" status that misses the mark.

As someone who has worked through their trauma and has previously served as a counselor, social worker and "dating expert', I had high hopes for this book as one I could wholeheartedly recommend to my readers and clients.

Sadly, I couldn't get past the first page (poem) without feeling off. It didn't get any better for me a few pages in, and I chose not to finish it after a few chapters.

It's not that the book triggered me - although it might feel triggering for some. I'd recommend some warnings on the first page, not a dozen or so pages in as it is now.

I'll start with the poem, written as if to speak for women and their experiences about being a woman. I found it unnecessarily dramatic, similar to the poetry I wrote in my early teens (when my experiences of trauma and abuse began).

As an example, here's a piece that felt particularly unsettling for me:

"It means being told that sex is an obligation / To be had without any destestation".

Now, I don't know about anyone else reading this review, so speaking only for myself - this is not what being a woman means to me, nor is it my experience.

After several dozen sentences that similarly irked me, I didn't feel great jumping into the meat of the book.

The introduction felt equally dramatic, written in a narrative nonfiction style that normally I love, but in this case felt forced and, again, unnecessarily dramatic. Again, I quote:

"Through hauntingly quiet tears, I had just resolutely told _____ that the pain was too much".

Perhaps it's the editing style, I'm unsure, but it felt forced and inauthentic, like the author was trying to invoke the emotions through powerful language when the topic itself is powerful enough. Or, maybe I'm being nitpicky.... but I don't think so.

After having read and reviewed thousands (and I do mean thousands) of books about and around this topic for the last two decades, this is one I cannot recommend even though I recognize the intentions were honorable (and let's face it, needed).

Now, I will admit once the author took over (in Chapter One) the tone and feel of the book changed. Simpler language and a direct, compassionate understanding filled the pages instead. Still, I had the sour taste in my mouth from the opening poem and introduction, and it didn't wash out of my mind easily. I also felt the book needed a powerful editor to better massage the content into a jewel.

Finally, I have a personal and professional issue with books that purport to replace or otherwise circumvent the need for therapy. Many of the topics shared in this book are challenging, triggering, and downright terrible. That part's okay, and I understand the need for a stepping stone, or as the author calls it, a "sanctuary".

Still, there is no mention of getting therapy or speaking with a trained professional, other than in the author's contextual and other people's experiences. There's no "Hey, if this gets to be too much, please seek a professional that can support and guide you through this process, and here are some ways to do that no matter your age, location or circumstance".

Dr. Scarlet structures this interactive self-help book by creating a support group that you, the reader, are a member of. The group consists of women who are experiencing a diverse range of issues that allow you to find connection to some, if not all, of them. I was happy to see that Dr. Scarlet includes women from diverse religious backgrounds, transwomen, women with physical disabilities, diverse body size, and women of color. Through this group, Dr. Scarlet helps guide clinicians and clients alike through exercises to help build safety, process their experiences, and grow. The stories from your fellow group members help to showcase the healing process in a really beautiful way. The super-hero theme is empowering, and allows for creativity in understanding your own “super-power.” Overall, I think this book gives good examples and prompts clinicians can incorporate into their practice, and/or to provide to clients who may be looking for more exercises to do outside of the therapy room. I know I will be using these exercises in sessions to come!

I received an electronic ARC from New Harbinger Publications, Inc. through NetGalley.
A support book written by a superhero therapist. Scarlet sets her book as a support group where the reader is also a member encouraged to share her story and work through the exercises as the women in the book do. The book focuses on anxieties and abuse (of all sorts) survivors. Written in a relaxed style with continual check ins for the reader to take breaks and participate as much or little as she chooses. This is one designed for specific needs/healing and balances support with encouragement for growth.

A unique way for coming to terms with therapy. This book primarily deals with women who are working on overcoming depression and sexual assault in a creative manner. This is good for teens and young adults who are all into the superhero movement. It allows for creativity as well as personifying yourself into someone stronger and separate from your issues. It breaks down each step and why it works before giving an exercise to try. I do find this an extremely creative way to go about therapy and believe that it would work for young people but not so much for adults or problems that have been left to fester. The writing is clear and concise and it does allow for a new perspective but it would all depend on the reader and issues for it to be the perfect book or method for someone.

There are a lot of books out there on recovering from trauma. This is a good one to have in the library of counselors who work with people who've experienced trauma as an alternative to the traditional self-help books. Some people might connect with the super-woman theme, while others will not. Something quite different from other self-help books for trauma was the idea of a "group" of women going through the book/journey with you. Explanations and exercises seemed appropriate as was the disclaimer to go at your own pace and trust your instincts about whether any particular exercise was appropriate for you or not.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Super-Women is a self help therapy book for women who are suffering from depression, trauma and anxiety.
This book is by a trained super-women therapy trainer and was written as a group therapy session where you are the additional person in the group. The book starts with introductions where everyone introduces themselves and says why they are there. All the women are likeable and relatable with their experiences and this helps the reader to feel at home. This book is handled with much care, support and empathy and is unique to anyone who decides to read it.
The author suggests stepping away for as long as you need if your trauma becomes too much and picking it back up when you are ready.
This is a very much needed book in today's world and is helpful for so many different women and traumas, depression or anxieties in life.

This was so healing to read. I loved the emphasis on issues that affect women and how we can battle our way to empowerment and strength.

Not being a mother, I couldn't relate to *some* of these; however, on the spectrum of who I am, I can. It helps empower you as a woman, empower your past, and see a future that is bright and not "traumatic." It was beautifully written and narrated, and handled with care. With topics such as this, it is important to handle them with care and empathy. I think Super-Women: Superhero Therapy for Women Battling Anxiety, Depression, and Trauma by Janina Scarlet did an incredible job doing just that. Again, this is more of a personal book as it resonates with you then you should read it. It resonated with me and what I have gone through, so I needed it. I found comfort in it.

This was a good experience for me. the approach that Janina Scarlet takes in her "Superhero Therapy" helps to empower women from all types of different backgrounds and I personally felt really well represented in my mental health struggle, The superwomen that you meet in this book are all really likeable, yet it's clear they're flawed like everyone else.

This book was received as an ARC from New Harbinger Publications, Inc. in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

It was refreshing to read this book. If there is anything I got out of this book is that life will throw you massive curveballs and hard punches but you have the strength within you to roll with the punches and knock it out of the park but, it's up to you to find it. I loved reading all of the personal stories and the hardships each woman shared. A lot tugged at my heartstrings and some I can relate to. This book needs to be on every bookshelf, library collection, and classroom to empower us to live the life we were meant to live.

We will consider adding this title to our Self-Help collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

Beautifully written and laid out. I absolutely love love stories and poetry. Most of these you will know. Some I have never heard of before. These stories transported me to another world of love and light. I felt like this book was speaking to me and for me. It was so beautifully written and resonated to my core. Highly recommend. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.