Overcoming the Destructive Inner Voice: True Stories of Therapy and Transformation

Written by Robert W. Firestone

Narrated by Will Damron

Many people grapple with destructive thought processes or a "critical inner voice" that directs their behavior and, to varying degrees, limits their lives. Using deeply personal and very human stories based on his own clinical practice, noted psychologist Robert W. Firestone illustrates the struggles of his clients to give words to this "enemy within," and in the process overcome its damaging influence. These revealing and captivating stories offer glimpses into the uniquely human relationship that develops in the therapeutic encounter and demonstrate the powerful impact that the experience has on both client and therapist.



Dr. Firestone is the originator of a therapeutic method called "Voice Therapy," by which clients learn to identify the language of the defense system and eventually separate their own point of view from its harmful effects. Each story provides an intimate look into one person's life, illuminates aspects of his or her "dark side," and highlights an important insight into the therapeutic process.



This sensitively written book will evoke emotional responses in listeners, and inspire them to take action to challenge the dictates of their own inner critic.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Apr 25, 2017
• ISBN: 9781541473157

Reviews for Overcoming the Destructive Inner Voice

[Agent Eightysix · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The description is deceptive. This is more a personal memoire than a science book. Somewhat interesting but not much useful insight or information to be found in the first half, which is as far as I got.

[Yoke · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Firestones are simply very skilled and knowledgeable therapists from whom current therapists and students can draw inspiration and guidance.

[Castler · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Despite the almost bland and click bait sounding title, I was very pleasantly surprised and impressed, even. I'm sure to listen again!

[Etienne Zizka · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

There’s absolutely nothing to be learned here. The absolute void. Just a guy talking about his patients. Absolutely pointless. Considering unsubscribing from scribd because of that audio book. It’s that bad.

[jeff Young · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I found the title intriguing but didn’t know if it would end up being a bunch of psycho babble, but Mr. Firestones stories and approaches in delivering his craft, will touch just about anyone out there, at making sense of those inner voices and where and what they may be telling us... A definite read for those out there considering starting a family and understanding the importance of our actions as parents are incredibly important especially in the childs developmental years... It wasn’t just a good book, but a valuable resource that I will recommend and pass along to those closest to me...

[karo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing book! So full of insight, so interesting! Incredible read/listen!!!!

[j1028 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Q w e r t y u I o p

[Antoinette Hayes · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed and was intrigued by the depth on relationships between family members and the development of social behaviour.

[J Williams · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very Insightful, Parents should read this before having children,lol. Frailty of the mind of children.

[Joshua Rivera · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Learned a lot of eye opening things in this book.

[Peter Kartal · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great read. This book helped me determine that I need therapy myself

[Greg Hawod · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I was expecting more discussion about overcoming the destructive inner voice for the readers like me. However this book reads more like a memoir or anecdotes. What I was looking for can best be found towards the very last part of the book.

Nevertheless, I liked the stories presented here. The stories are deep and full of meaning. I appreciate my life and relationship more.

[Ionut Dobre · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

very good book, with positive outcome and things to consider

[Marina · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Whole chapters of this book are stories of dubious usefulness about the author's personal life, friends, or even (once) a completely fictional borderline pornographic account of incest and murder that serves absolutely no purpose. The patient stories begin relevant but then the author seems to run out. If you do listen to this, do so until you think "wait, this doesn't seem very relevant". At this point don't hope it will become more relevant later - it won't. Listen to the appendix at this point (which will summarize the pretty straightforward method the author proposes) , and then stop.

[Lisa Vickerage · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Needs trigger warning. Not for those who may have history of trauma.

[Elisabeth Wolfe · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This recording is super messed up. Also, I think he is an old-fashioned Freudian, seems very dated material

[wyvernfriend · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It was somewhat interesting to be the fly on the wall for some therapy but his self-congratulatory ways were sometimes a little tough to read. He was somewhat tedious about how great he was and how he developed methodologies that are being used world-wide and how he admired the breasts of several of his patients, but at the same time he couldn't understand why someone who claimed he had reformed's wife left him. The author has been doing therapy for a long time and I'm sure some of his self-confidence is well-placed but sometimes he seemed to be of the opinion that only he was right and all others were wrong, it just felt a little repetitive and the last chapters where he was talking about his friendship with R D Laing came across as more name-droppy than worried about a friend who obviously had Issues.