More endorsements

When the authors say this is a “turnkey book,” they mean it. All the work has been done for you to guide your clients to a deeper understanding of themselves and others. You won’t have to read far to gain the benefit of decades of clinical experience to enhance your practice and the lives of those you influence.

My initial impression of this book was to gather my closest friends for a day and walk through the things that matter. I would love to hear their thoughts about strutting your stuff and risks taken and not taken, I could go on. If you want to create a deeply intimate journey for your clients, it has been outlined, detailed, and vetted . . . recommend it.

~Pat Love, EdD,

Distinguished Professor, author, trainer, therapist, and now support to friends and family.

Uncovering Treasures That Matter, a gem that is practical and grounded in research. This is a turn-key manual for therapists—beginners and experienced, to uncover stories that may be hidden but come to life through writing—created by two seasoned professionals, one a psychologist and the other a gerontologist.

The 50 themes provided for problem-solving-centered writing, whether in groups or individually, are exhaustive. The authors have skillfully explored all imaginable scenarios to cue therapists and evoke participant involvement. I highly endorse this book.

 ~Francine Toder, Ph.D.

Psychologist

Author, Inward Traveler: 51 Ways to Explore the World Mindfully

The authors of Uncovering Treasures That Matter have developed a workbook that will be very helpful to therapists. It presents 50 writing themes that can assist clients in exploring their issues along with vignettes and examples from their clinical practice.  This will be a valuable addition to therapists in many different settings who can use writing to help their clients heal, grow and develop.  

~Nina W. Brown, EdD, LPC, NCC

American Psychological Association Fellow

American Group Psychotherapy Association Distinguished Fellow

Professor and Eminent Scholar at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA

Drs. Bonnie Bernell and Cheryl Svensson have produced an excellent and innovative tool for psychotherapists and their clients. Uncovering Treasures That Matter explores evidence-based storytelling methods to help clients grow and achieve their goals in psychotherapy. Our lives are stories we repeatedly tell ourselves about our origins, preferences, challenges, traumas, victories, loves, and losses. You are not only the writer of the story that is your life but also the main character, the editor, and the publisher. Your ability to write and revise your life story to reflect strengths and resilience, triumphs and tribulations, adventures, and tragedies, to achieve a sense of satisfaction and completion are the hallmarks of successful therapy.

Expressive writing, whether in journaling, letter writing, short story, or book writing, provides an excellent vehicle for personal growth that I have witnessed in clients of mine. Writing these days appears to consist of 280-character Tweets, brief text, or emails full of abbreviations, slang, emojis, and images.  Convincing clients to take the time and invest the effort to sit down and write about their personal experiences and inner lives, to reflect, re-write and edit and revise, and then share with their therapist the results can be challenging. But the results are often amazing. I encourage you to read and learn about the techniques outlined in UncoveringTreasures That Matter and then write and encourage your clients to write. You’ll discover the transformative power of storytelling.                       

~Paul J. Marcille, Ph.D.                                                                                                                    

Licensed Psychologist                                                                                                                              

Past President of the Santa Clara County Psychological Association                                                               

Past President of the California Psychological Association                                                                         

Northern California Federal Advocacy Coordinator, American Psychological Association

Uncovering Treasures That Matter is an incredibly versatile book for therapists, clients, and anyone interested in self-exploration. Beautifully and sensitively written, Drs. Bernell and Svensson have given readers the tools for deeper awareness and understanding and to nudge readers toward committed action that aligns with their new knowledge. For therapists, Bernell and Svensson anticipate the information needed to use TTM in their practices and lay out the specifics in clear and concise language. The book offers not just something for every reader but many things to every reader.

~Robin S. Rosenberg, Ph.D., ABPP

Licensed Psychologist

Author, Abnormal Psychology

Uncovering Treasures That Matter is an effective, practical, creative way to help clients look deeper, reframe current issues in the context of their life, and receive the help that many need to be self-reflective. This book is an excellent addition to every clinician's toolbox.

~I. David Marcus, Ph.D.

Licensed Psychologist

Silicon Valley Psychological & Consulting Services, Inc.

Uncovering Treasures that Matter is an essential guide for any therapist. You may be inspired to include writing directly into sessions or integrate the questions from this book into standard talk therapy. The case studies are helpful guides for any therapist hoping to learn new approaches. The section on talents can help any therapist balance the need for problem-solving with the need to support the client’s confidence in their resources to solve those problems. It is an inspiring and engaging read that is an essential roadmap for any therapist, teacher, writer, or parent. Wow, I love this book!

~Lara Honos-Webb, Ph.D.

Licensed Psychologist

A veritable treasure house of possibilities for therapists to explore the reflective, transformative, and healing potential of writing for those with whom they work -- whether individuals, couples, or groups-- comprehensive, well-organized, authoritative, and very readable.

~Philip Holden, Ph.D. (English Literature)

Registered Clinical Counsellor

This outstanding book, Uncovering Treasures That Matter, will now be the primary resource material for my guided integrative therapy groups. It would also be ideal for grounded theory research, facilitating thick and rich content to identify recovery patterns, resilience, and growth. The authors’ discernment in producing an essential tool for therapists, clearly the fruits of their life’s work, will serve the therapeutic community well. 

~ Deena Gayle Hitzke, MAHR, MAPC, EDD, LAC

This impressive book, clear and specific, offers any therapist material to use with their clients. The information is sensitively and systematically presented, making it user-friendly and accessible. Bonnie and Cheryl have created an in-depth and creative guide, a compassionate and directed method for thinking in new ways to learn more about yourself. 

~Jennifer Rosenberg, M.A., MFT

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist