Tuesday Talent: Damon Jacobs

This very personable and fetching man wrote a book (shouldless.com):

Imagine a day in which you wake up, get out of bed, and go about your daily business without a single "should" getting in the way of how you feel about yourself, your appearance, other people, or the world around you. Absolutely Should-less invites you into such a blissful world, and offers you seven proven steps toward much happier and peaceful living.

If you have ever experienced any stress or sadness from looking in the mirror and telling yourself you should lose weight, make more money, think smarter, look better, or be any different than who you are today, then you are suffering the consequences of devastating "shoulds" and this is the right book for you!

For the first time in print, Damon L. Jacobs shares his secrets for challenging destructive shoulds. Utilizing humor, personal anecdotes, and a down-to-earth writing style, he will help you to recognize and question the sources of the harmful shoulds that are standing in the way of your feeling good right now.

What makes this book different from other self-help books is that it identifies the role and responsibility of media and culture in the creating and sustaining of harmful "shoulds." It recognizes how institutional racism, sexism, and homophobia play a significant role in determining one's self-esteem, and how the "status-quo" stands to benefit from individuals feeling bad about themselves. It has interactive exercises which encourage the reader to genuinely explore how they have come to learn and integrate destructive "shoulds," and exactly how they can change them step-by-step.

It may not change the entire world, but it will change your mind about the entire world.




Also from the webstie dedicated to his book: Damon L. Jacobs is a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist in New York and California. His work in group settings has allowed him to develop comprehensive and effective tools for reducing stress and depression while increasing peace and happiness. His ideas uniquely combine his passion for psychological principles, progressive social theories, spiritual perspectives, and media critiques. His writing brings these elements together in fresh ways in order to challenge and eliminate harmful "shoulds."

Damon started working in the mental health field in 1997. He quickly found that the traditional models of psychotherapy failed to meet the complex needs of a diverse society. He realized that culture and political rights were significant factors in one's values and thought patterns, and sought to understand how these factors could be utilized to promote wellness. Inspired by the works of Albert Ellis, Marianne Williamson, Byron Katie, and Margaret Cho, he developed ideas of how challenging assumed "shoulds" could assist in promoting mental and spiritual health. After years of applying these ideas to himself and to his clientele, he decided to write Absolutely Should-less to benefit others.

Born and raised in Culver City, California, Damon received his B.A in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and his M.A. in Psychology from New College of California, San Francisco. He moved to New York City in 2005, and lives in Brooklyn. He regularly contributes features regarding the social relevance of soap operas at We Love Soaps. He is currently working in private practice in Union Square (mytherapist.info).



Damon with James Franco and Roger Newcomb. Go to WeLoveSoaps.net