Shirley Gilbert

The Journey Is the Treasure Shirley Gilbert

Mental health is a hard-won goal for Liz. She is in the fight of her life against depression, anxiety, hatred, and death.




Her physician parents, two brothers, and herself live under the same roof but have never actually been a family. As the threads of this group unravel, homicide, suicide, secrets and treasures are revealed. Liz's life and the choices she learns to make are traced as she works her way from being a troubled teen to becoming a well-adjusted married professional. Eventually, because of her love and devotion to her younger brother who hanged himself at age 16, she takes on the challenge of trying to help suicidal teens. However, the story begins with her own suicide attempt.




Depression and anxiety are Liz's two biggest challenges, along with the family of origin issues. The psychologist writer explores these challenges and demonstrates treatment of them in real-life illustrations throughout the book, as evidenced by Liz's choices and behaviors. An editorial follows each chapter which explains the path to mental health as demonstrated in Liz's life. Psychological concepts such as knowing the difference between reacting and responding, understanding that knowledge isn't doing, self-esteem issues, having and exercising personal boundaries, relapses, cognitive/behavioral linkages, psychological and spiritual influences, perseverance, making choices, family secrets, and creating differences and treasures.