Releasing Toxic Anger for Women - by Karyne B Wilner (Paperback)

About the Book

Women and girls are often taught that anger is an unacceptable emotion. As a result, women are more likely than men to direct anger inward, leading to self-critical inner dialogue, as well as a host of physical and mental health issues. In this much-needed guide, a clinical psychologist and somatic therapist reveals how anger creates stress in the body and mind, and offers women body-based practices and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques to release anger for greater health, vitality, and purpose.

Book Synopsis

Discover powerful CBT and somatic practices to help you release toxic anger and find lasting emotional balance.

Do you ever feel guilty for being angry? If so, you aren't alone. We live in a culture that doesn't support the open assertive expression of anger among women. Women and girls are often taught that we are overreacting, or just being too sensitive or unreasonable when anger arises. This bottled-up anger can then lead to inner criticism, self-doubt, resentment, emotional avoidance, and conflicts with others. This repressed anger can also cause a ripple effect throughout the body, affecting our heart, brain, nervous system, immune system, and gut.

In this much-needed guide, a clinical psychologist and somatic therapist reveals how anger--whether it's repressed or misdirected in harmful ways--creates stress in the body and mind, and offers powerful body-based, somatic practices and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques to help you let go of internalized anger for greater health, vitality, and purpose.

With this go-to guide, you'll also learn to:

• Find validation in your anger and other intense emotions
• Move past negative thinking, destructive aggression, and repressed hostility to express anger in healthier ways
• Increase body awareness through movement and breathing practices
• Stay grounded in moments of anger using mindfulness techniques
• Communicate with intention and an openness to others' perspectives

Anger can be a powerful barometer in our lives, indicating when we care passionately about something; but too often it's misunderstood, misplaced, and mismanaged. This book will help you gain control of your anger--rather than let it control you--so you can think clearly, communicate effectively, and channel your emotions in ways that can improve your life!

Review Quotes

"Releasing Toxic Anger for Women is a powerful resource for women who want to have fulfilling relationships where they can be assertive. Karyne Wilner masterfully teaches us with simple, practical tools how to identify anger, discover its original source, and how to release and transform it. Wilner's somatic focus will teach psychotherapists how to get results with clients of any gender. I'm thrilled to have this resource for my students."
--Kate Holt, RN, ACCEP, in private practice helping people live more satisfying lives, and trains and supervises Core Energetics Practitioners internationally--Kate Holt, RN, ACCEP

"As a psychotherapist with decades of experience, Karyne Wilner has written a much-needed book that dispels negative beliefs held about women and anger. She dismisses the guilt and shame bound in those beliefs and in its place, imbued with insight and wisdom, provides the reader with a practical guide through which to identify, understand, and heal what Wilner has termed as 'toxic anger.' It is an educational and liberating read!"
--Laurie Keene, dean of the Barbara Brennan School, therapist, and author of Awakening to The Truth of Who You Are--Laurie Keene

"Drawing on professional and personal experiences, Karyne Willner beautifully illuminates the impact of the mind-body connection to the poison of anger through her book, Releasing Toxic Anger for Women. This book is a powerful and unique tool of deep expertise on how to move beyond the physical and mental impact of anger on the body. A brilliant must-read for all women in need of self-healing work."
--Bindu Babu, MD, PhD, founder and president of Hearts of Change; and author of My Soulmate, My Love, My Narcissist--Bindu Babu, MD, PhD

"Karyne Wilner has been on the forefront of the somatic psychotherapy movement for many decades. Releasing Toxic Anger for Women is a culmination of her work. In this book, Karyne Wilner synthesizes an extensive body of knowledge on an embodied approach to working with women and anger. Here you will discover a rich panoply of exercises, insights, and creative approaches for women to reclaim the positive aspects of human anger."
--Brian Gleason, CSW, CCEP, practicing psychotherapist, teacher, writer, cofounder of The Center for Exceptional Marriage, and author of Mortal Spirit and Relative to Everything--Brian Gleason, CSW, CCEP

"Karyne Wilner masterfully presents the best and most time-tested, state-of-the-art solutions for both understanding and overcoming anger, along with all of the psychological, physical, and spiritual toxicity it can cause. She speaks to her readers as both a woman with a story to tell, and a psychologist with many decades of experience helping countless women to massively improve their lives by using her highly effective strategies."
--Michael S. Broder, PhD, psychologist, author, and trainer of mental health professionals--whose books include Helping Adults to Grow Up and Seven Steps to Your Best Life--Michael S. Broder, PhD

"Karyne Wilner provides an excellent explanation of the important influence of toxic anger on women's health, and provides real-life strategies to ameliorate it."
--Justin P. Lavin Jr., MD, FACOG, professor and chairman emeritus in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Cleveland Clinic Akron General--Justin P. Lavin Jr., MD, FACOG

"Karyne Wilner writes, 'Anger doesn't knock on the door and announce itself, ' and so she has presented us the opportunity to be prepared in how we greet it when it does come! This book maps out an exceptionally rich journey allowing readers the chance to explore and experience the deepest wisdom of somatic expression, and to move from reaction into self-awareness and presence. It is accessible, practical, and incredibly thorough."
--Aylee Welch, LICSW, founder and director of Seattle School of Body-Psychotherapy, and longtime social worker and activist--Aylee Welch, LICSW

"This is a thoughtful approach that zeroes in on possibility rather than punishment. Although 'to release' can mean to momentarily reconnect with, I promise you it is in a constructive and empowering way. Karyne Wilner delivers with all of her best insight, steeped in decades of both clinical and heartfelt, no-nonsense practice."
--Jo Standing, one/we; author; and corporate and military wellness facilitator--Jo Standing

"This is such an empowering book for women! Karyne Wilner brings awareness to the physical symptoms and chronic illnesses resulting from suppressed anger. She identifies a full range of states of anger suppression and behaviors, along with clearly set out exercises to facilitate a deep and integrated healing. I highly recommend this book for any women who want to transform their anger and live a life of positivity and vitality."
--Andrea Alexander, founder and director of the Institute of Body Psychotherapy in Australia
--Andrea Alexander

"What a timely book this is. The world is getting angrier, and for many, the skills needed to work with this emotion are sadly lacking. This practical book offers information and tools to guide women with their unexpressed and destructively expressed anger. When women can use their anger in service of life, health, and the world--we will see a beautiful transformation. This book is a gift for women, men, and the world."
--Ann Bradney, founder and director of the Radical Aliveness Institute, who runs a three-year program for Peace Leadership in Israel and Palestine--Ann Bradney

About the Author

Karyne B. Wilner, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist with a private practice in Newport, RI. She currently directs the Core Energetics Academy in Bethel, CT; and was formerly assistant director of the International Institute for Core Energetics, senior director of the Brazilian Institute, and associate director in Australia. She has traveled widely giving lectures, workshops, and seminars, and has written numerous journal articles about somatic therapy and psychology. In addition to her therapist training programs, she directed Drexel University's Counseling Center in Philadelphia, PA; and she taught master's level holistic counseling courses at Salve Regina University in Newport, RI, from 2010 through 2022. Her joy lies in helping people become more authentic and lead richer, fuller lives.