Paula ProberYour Rainforest Mind: A Guide to the Well-Being of Gifted Adults and Youth

This is SUCH a fantastic new book! It's written by Paula Prober, a licensed counselor for gifted adults. I was really touched by her website and blog and ordered this book as soon as it was available. Each chapter includes typical gifted challenges illustrated through clients she has seen over the years (names changed for anonymity) along with strategies for EACH chapter. I loved this because it's easy to read and relate to and rather than just say "what and why" it shares"how can I get through this, what can I try" with realistic ideas. As opposed to some more typical academic books discussing gifted topics in a formally instructive way, this book infuses many of the same gifted topics through examples gifted adults will readily recognize -from perfectionism, idealism, sensitivity, childhood trauma, asynchronous development, anxiety, existential depression, etc. It's a relief not only to read about so many others we can relate to, but also to learn new ideas- what do we DO about it? So many books leave out the REAL strategies leaving me to wonder "Should I seek counseling?" and then the circular reasoning of "Well, but where can I find a gifted counselor?" And then we are back to square one. :) This book has the major advantage of all the strategies at the end of each chapter. So if you're a reader who loves to digest on your own time and have thought that "if only I could find a person who COULD help" then it's a great book! Gifted adults will walk away feeling understood, relieved, and with ideas we can try to invest in ourselves just the way we are. It's really realistic and helps us accept how normal we are. So empowering ! A really great read for gifted adults and young adults. This is a book I will read over and over again as I continue to grow and change in my life. I'm very thankful for the ongoing research on gifted adults (we are simply grown-up gifted kids afterall). :) Get this book for yourself or someone who is dear to you. You'll love it.

This book was literally (and I don't say that lightly) life-changing for me...or actually not "changing"...life-AFFIRMING. Every once in a while a "self-help" book comes along that actually is helpful and not just a bunch of case stories to which you can't really relate. THIS is the book that will help you understand problems from your past as well as provide a healing framework for current struggles. The case studies are actually pertinent, relatable and instructive. Icing on the cake are the sections at the end of each chapter that provide dozens of resources and suggestions to support further inquiry or self-care that focus on individual challenging areas such as: perfection, empathy, spirituality, intensity, and procrastination. Honestly would love to see a followup workbook incorporating these literary and online resources as well as additional activities to further promote understanding and healing. There were chapters where I couldn't get through a page without either crying/laughing/yelling out loud "I KNEW IT!" Thank you, Paula for a thought-provoking, critical and health-focused guide to my own personality. Have already purchased multiple copies to share with friends, therapist and family. It's THAT good of a book. If you have anyone in your life with "gifted" rainforest tendencies (including yourself), you would do yourself and them a favor by purchasing and reading this book. It will undoubtably change how you view those "smart, distracted, busy, creative, intense" people in your life! (Especially the one in the mirror!)

Thank you Mrs Prober for this very enlightening book.After having read so many "medical" books to address the issue, this book came as a short, compact breath of fresh air.Kind of a large introduction to the matter, it uses little or no jargon and offers a good balance of analysis and guidelines, without drowning the reader in too many testimonies from patients.Heavily recommended for gifted people or those who want to understand their gifted partners, friends or relatives.

Paula's book has helped me in the journey of my self-discovery of giftedness by illustrating all of the challenges I've had my entire life. Reading her book showed me that my challenges were not the sign of a broken person, but a person that has different needs and that it's okay to be like that. I've found acceptance in the gifted community and this book was (figuratively) stuck in my back pocket as a guide. I finally can feel okay about being intense, realize my quirks for what they are, and make the moves I need to, to counteract so that they don't take over my life. Paula has made it really easy for even those unaware of giftedness to understand the struggles we face every day. Paula writes in such an approachable and compassionate way that you can't help but love her.If you're wondering if you're gifted, buy this book. You'll know for sure by the end. If you're wondering how to deal with being gifted, buy this book. If you want to know how to help and support a loved one in your life that struggles with these issues, buy this book. You won't be disappointed.

Uma descrição maravilhosa do que é lidar com jovens e adultos com altas habilidades (gifted people) ou como a autora os chama: rainforestminds.Ótimos conselhos, dicas e recomendações.

I started this book and cannot put it down. For my entire life of being misunderstood, not fitting in, always feeling like I can’t get things just quite right and internalizing the hurt of being not enough and too much. This book has been healing with the insights of the greatness of our sensitivities and intensity and how to navigate in the world around us.

Thank you very much Paula, I'm from Mexico. This book has been recommended to me by the author of "Manual de supervivencia para unicornios: Testimonio de un adulto superdotado recién identificado". Now I also follow you on your blog.RFM: This world needs us do not give up, read this book, highly recommended. We have the ability to self-heal.(I apologize for my English, my native language is Spanish).

Small book but very useful, it made me understand a lot of things about myself.Gives great advice on how to cope with different situations and links to useful resources.Helped me feel less different and isolated.

La majoria de llibres es basa en el diagnòstic/detecció de les altes capacitats i en cm encaixar al sistema educatiu. Aquest, en canvi, dona una visió molt més entenedora i enriquidora sobre com són, com se senten, com relacionar-s'hi, des del punt de vista d'una professional que treballa amb aquest perfil de persones.