J Lawrence Maerz is an author, professional speaker and coach with a specialization in psychological study. Having worked as a counselor and as a case manager with teen substance abuse and in social services in child protection he is a seasoned personal coach, adviser and lecturer and has a diverse background in the human potentials field incorporating personality influences, shadow work, nutritional needs, creative expression and personal desires while uncovering innate abilities and hidden potentials for his clients. He is dedicated toward raising awareness and shares his own unique understandings and perspectives about life's journey and meaning. He, also, recognizes the need for balance and accountability on our mental, physical and emotional levels as well as fulfilling our spiritual potential through our individual experiences. With Energizing Self-Trust he has published four other books. The most recent is entitled "A MILE IN YOUR SHOES: The Road to Actualization Through Compassion" which covers the origins and effects of shame based child-rearing practices while offering techniques to overcome the resulting feelings of inferiority with or without the assistance of a therapist. You can find his most current work available at www.JohnMaerz.com and www.AwakeandThinking.com.