Taming Your Gremlin: A Surprisingly Simple Method for Getting Out of Your Own Way. By: Rick Carson

Review by Dr. Hardison: This beneficial book is an essential tool for my practice. I have referred to the techniques described by Carson numerous times in sessions with overly self critical clients. I use the concepts from this book in combination with Greenberg’s Self Critical Chairing exercises. Carson exposes our internal critic/gremlin (narrator in our head) and their tricks. He also offers simple techniques to tame them in order to break free from the hold that they have on us. Carson teaches us that fighting our gremlins is pointless because they are much too shrewd. Instead he teaches us techniques to stay one step ahead of them and how to become aware of their antics so that we can tame them. My clients find this book an easy and engaging read, and its simple language speaks to those of any age and education level. This concept of a self critic is something that applies to all of us. If you have ever thought that you are overly critical of yourself and your work or wondered if others struggle with the same negative self talk then this book will lend much insight into your own internal critic.