
Healing Your Emotional Self by Beverly Engel (sometimes mistakenly attributed as Dorothy) is a transformative self-help book designed to help readers overcome the emotional wounds caused by a difficult or traumatic childhood. Engel explains how childhood experiences, especially those involving criticism, neglect, abuse, or unrealistic expectations, can deeply shape a person’s sense of self, leading to struggles with low self-esteem, self-sabotaging behaviors, and difficulty forming healthy relationships. The book introduces the idea of the \"inner child\"—the vulnerable part of us that still carries pain from the past—and emphasizes the need to nurture, protect, and heal this part in order to achieve emotional well-being. Engel offers practical exercises, guided reflections, and healing techniques that help readers identify the negative messages and self-beliefs internalized in childhood, replace them with healthier, more compassionate perspectives, and gradually build self-acceptance. The book also stresses the importance of setting boundaries, learning self-compassion, and breaking free from destructive patterns in relationships. By addressing unresolved pain with both insight and practical tools, Engel empowers readers to take control of their healing journey, transform the way they see themselves, and create a more positive and fulfilling life.