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Christina Minoguchi survived horrific trauma as a child with a rape and trafficker as well as a Marine Vietnam veteran father with PTDS and struggled with life long, severe anxiety and depression and mental health issues. She became a therapist and studied neuroscience where she found the answers to why we experience anxiety and depression AND how to take control of our minds and bodies. She teaches amazing neurological techniques to her clients in their very first session and she shares those in the 2nd part of her book called Mindworks. Her book, My Secret Life shares the details of her abuse, how it affected her life and what she learned to teach others how to take their control back. She is passionate about helping others heal from trauma, get out of survival mode and live their life to the fullest. My Secret life is a compelling page turner as well as a life survival guide for those who struggle with CPTSD, Anxiety and Depression.
My Secret Life Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars A real page-turner beginning to end!
Amy W.
My Secret Life by Christina Minoguchi is a must-read book for people who have experienced trauma and a should-read book for everyone else. I appreciate that Christina chose to write the most traumatizing experiences from the point of view as a child. Through this style of writing and tactful word choice, I was still fully aware of what was happening and of the seriousness of each event, yet it somewhat softened the blow.
My heart broke for Christina time and time again as I read the stories of her childhood. My mind would often try to make me believe this was a work of fiction though I knew full-well it was not. When I would take a break from reading, it would hit me that what I’d just read was not a work of fiction, but Christina’s true life. I can’t count how many times during the first third of the book I thought to myself, “How brave she is to write her story and put it out there for the world,” but as I inched further and further into the last third of the book, it became very clear to me why she did!
The end of the book is inspiring and uplifting as Christina journeys toward healing and peace and true happiness while also helping others to do the same! I very much enjoyed reading about the individuals that God placed in Christina's life at just the precise times to help her and reading her accounts of strings of events that ended with a clear view of the purpose of the initial event. I have always believed that everything happens for a reason, especially holding to the truth of Romans 8:28, that in all things, God works for the good. The stories Christina tells at the end of the book just add to my list of reasons why I believe this to be true. On page 276 Christina says, “Bad things happen to me, but I keep going. I have found that many of the bad things are lessons that I needed to learn in order to grow and strengthen myself. Sometimes bad experiences lead to amazing blessings.” And one of those amazing blessings is her ability to help you!
Part Two of her book teaches others how to use her Mindworks program to help themselves. It is clearly written and easy to follow. She encourages her readers to find the help they need and recommends several different types of therapists and programs to try. If you think her book can’t help you, then think again! In her book, she explains how many people have told her, “Well I don’t have trauma like you Christina,” but you don’t have to have had the level of trauma that she did to be helped by this book! She writes that trauma is anything negative that happens to you that makes you feel negatively about yourself and your world. If it was traumatizing to you, then it was trauma, and her methods can help you!
I stand by what I said at the start of this review, that My Secret Life by Christina Minoguchi is a must-read for people who have endured trauma and a should-read for everyone. If trauma is defined as “anything that makes you feel negatively about yourself and your world”, then everyone has at least some trauma. Also, no one knows what traumatic event might take place later in their life, and having read this book could save a life later on! Lastly, this book can serve as a reminder that you never know what other people you encounter are going through or have been through, and to treat everyone with kindness.
Barb D
5.0 out of 5 stars Powerfully courageous and inspiring
The courage and vulnerability it took this author to lay out her personal childhood and beyond traumas is very inspiring. This is a powerful book in that the reader who has been feeling just as crazy, anxious and depressed will finally realize that they are not alone. That there is an solution. A transformation fom surviving trauma to becoming free to actually thriving is a powerful journey and this author has done a incredible job of taking us on that journey.
I have read other material and books on trauma but this author skillfully includes simple easy to follow techniques that work the moment I started using them. Invaluable, blessing that has been.
Another reviewer said:
".....but all of her sexual abuse stories seemed repetitive. They all started out the same. One person can’t go through the same sexual abuse so many times. I was reading it and it seemed very fictional...."
First thing I'd like say to this reviewer; that was a strong reaction. It appears you may be burdened and carrying a very heavy load. I hope you find freeedom and a safe port in your life. You deserve it. Perhaps the Neuroscience tools in the second half of the book will be useful to you.
Sexual abuse is/can be repetitive. It does/can start out the same each time and most definitely does/can happen "so many times" As I experienced from 4 to 18.
I was finally brave enough at age 57 to unpack my own abuse through the tools of Neuroscience, the very tools in the second half of this book, and a very gifted Neuropsychotherapist. I went from a life of drudgery and self-loathing , riddled with depression and bouts of anxiety to freedom, and a true zest for living!
I got to hit the reset button at 57 years of age! Miraculous transformation from surviving, recovering, and now thriving in this last chapter of my life. It is never too late!
Dr. Norman
This is what bravery and healing looks like
This is an amazing book of survival, healing and giving. Christina shares her incredible childhood and early adult life. She is honest about her first marriage and the difficulties in it. The best part is when she uses her gifts: empathy and intelligence to not only overcome the many traumas she went through, but to then reach out to others to help heal them! This book was difficult to put down, and also difficult to think about all Christina went through. But it is necessary to not turn a blind eye to what goes on in the world. Thank you Christina for having the courage to share your story, and to heal others.
Connie E.
Very interesting.
Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2024
Although a very easy book to follow, the first part of the book was difficult to read because of the trauma Christina suffered over and over. Very dark. I'm amazed that she took her life from that dark place to where she is today.
Part 2 of the book is very informative on dealing with trauma. It is written in a way that makes sense. I can see the exercises she suggested being used by anyone whether they are victims of trauma, or just daily frustration.
Melanie C
There is Hope in Transforming the Effects Trama Takes on Your Life!
An incredible page turner!!! Christina Minoguchi shares her personal life and faith in such an open honest manner. I knew without a doubt this author has KNOWN trauma!! Her story kept me on the edge of my seat with great hope and anticipation as I read through some familiar territory with her. By the time I got to Part 2 I was "all in" on learning what neuroscience has to do with healing the effects of trauma and fascinated with how I can use that tool to make a difference in my life!! It's amazing!! Christina is amazing!
Melissa S.
So much to learn!
I couldn't put this down! A true testament that we can overcome trauma! Thank you for telling your story. My heart broke as I learned of the tragedies but learning and reading about the tools that can lift us out of these scarring events and give life meaning....truly remarkable!
Erin S.
Life Altering
The tools and techniques I learned from this book will last me a lifetime! I can’t wait to buy my sisters & daughters their own copy!! Everyone is getting this book for their birthday this year! Thank you Christina the shift in my reality frequency has been a bliss I never knew possible
Life changing
As a patient of Christina’s I can say 1st had how much her approach to Trauma & PTSD has transformed my life. Before I was just existing now I have hope and am Living! She is someone who Knows what trauma does to a person because she lives with it herself. Her story is so compelling but what is more amazing is how she has learned to manage the demons and slay the Georges. Her approach is like nothing I have ever found elsewhere with talk therapy.
One person found this helpful
Enlightening
This book gives those of us struggling hope for a better future. There are many treatments out their and this gives you a simple explanation to a very complex amount of treatment options. I would recommend this to anyone who has struggled with mental health issues.
Review
Great book Author bared her soul for the readers her book will help so many people
One person found this helpful
Carol M.
Save a life! Help someone have hope!
I was introduced to Christina several years ago by a former patient who was able to release her childhood/adult traumas along with EMDR and Christina's program. I was curious to learn more about it, beginning our friendship and training. What I know is Christina is the real deal! She is a caring, compassionate, knowledgeable professional committed to teaching, advocating, healing, and learning! Along the way, I have met others who released traumas with her program, MindWorks.
This book is brilliantly written, profound and thorough, beginning with Christina's memoir. It tells her experience as a child raped, trafficked, threatened to never tell, raised by a violent father with PTSD. While it is graphic in detail, it tells the story of a survivor, how trauma is created and stored in the body, the long-term effects, what others close to a survivor may experience in adulthood. Finally, Christina's commitment to seek answers, learning why traditional talk therapy alone is not an answer.
If the graphic descriptions are too difficult, consider skipping over them or go to Part 2.
Rest assured, this book is the journey from a sad, fearful, horrific, crazy making, dysfunctional childhood to one of gratitude, hope, advocacy, commitment! In Christina's own words... "Gratitude for every crack I fell through, turning Hell into Heaven. The war is in our minds and bodies. We just need to learn to control it"! MindWorks does just that!
If you or anyone you know has struggled with anxiety, depression, trauma PLEASE get this book! There is help available and may save a life or at the very least provide hope where there isn't any! Please pass this along to anyone you may be thinking of now, this book/process will help!
