In Mending the Shattered Mirror by Analie Shepherd, the autobiographical account is told through emails sent from Analie, a mental health patient, and Laurie Steiner, a retired psychiatrist (and former abuse victim) and volunteer with Therapy Exploitation Link Line. Analie was a wife, mother of four children, a choir teacher and a former journalist and airplane pilot. But after she learned that her daughter had been sexually molested by her sister's son, Analie experienced a resurfacing of her own issues involving five personalities within her. Her mother fled from an abusive alcoholic husband and subsequently displayed tirades. Analie was bullied at home and school. When she discusses her life with Julia, a therapist, the relationship becomes marred by Julia's unethical behaviour. After two years of meeting with various therapists and a pastor, she finally finds the answer. But it was not necessarily in the place where she thought it would be. Readers will relate to Analie's struggle and be inspired by her perseverance.

I loved this memoir. The original emails were the perfect format for conveying the intimate details of the sensitive subject of abuse. It also provided proof of the presence of the "others." Analie's heartfelt poetry and beautiful drawings added authenticity. I learned about gas lighting, dissociative disorders, the purpose of therapy and other facts that debunked myths. This nonfiction work is Shepherd's first book, but it is worthy of critical acclaim. Mending the Shattered Mirror is a must-read for patients, families, and mental health professionals.

In an absolutely heart-wrenching true story of betrayal and survival, Mending the Shattered Mirror: A Journey of Recovery from Abuse in Therapy, authored by Analie Shepherd, readers will find themselves engrossed in a gripping tale that will keep them reading from the very first page all the way through until the very end. The author retells the horror story of the abuse she endured at the hands of a manipulative therapist that she sought out at a time when she needed a great deal of help. The emotional, physical and verbal abuse that she suffered was horrible, and thankfully, Analie was able to break the bond with this therapist, reach out to TELL, an international organization that seeks to support victims of abuse at the hands of health care workers.

Through TELL, she is connected with Laurie, a retired psychiatrist who had suffered sexual abuse in therapy. An email relationship ensues, and the book recounts the support that the women shared. Analie also deals with dissociative identity disorder, and needs to flesh out the abuse suffered by each of her alter personalities in order to deal with exactly all she endured. While a difficult story, the book holds hope and an enlightening message that many will appreciate.

Mending the Shattered Mirror is a triumph of a book written beautifully by a woman who has encountered a great deal of trauma in her life. Any reader who loves a fascinating, heartbreaking and ultimately victorious true story should absolutely read this book. I am so pleased to be able to highly recommend Mending the Shattered Mirror: A Journey of Recovery from Abuse in Therapy and hope to see more from author Analie Shepherd in the very near future.

5.0 out of 5 stars
as Analie so painfully and beautifully tells us
March 11, 2017
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
As a therapist, I cannot say enough about the need for this book to become a part of training for licensure. The very idea that the therapy relationship could become abusive,as Analie so painfully and beautifully tells us, becomes a reality that many people, and in particular, many therapists, cannot imagine, and in fact, decline to believe. This memoir is difficult to read at times due to the unimaginable cruelty that occurs in what should be one of the most trusted and safe relationships, but the truth, grace and perseverance that Analie possesses in her quest to find emotional safety is truly a journey well worth traveling along with her. The book brings a stark reminder to those of us in the profession, that "Do No Harm", is, without question, not only a responsibility but an ethical driver, meant to truly honor those that seek the healing that they desire.

Michelle H.
5.0 out of 5 stars
her love of nature and things of beauty
March 15, 2017
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
I bought this book a few weeks ago, and just finished it last weekend. It is both heartwrenching and eye-opening. From the author’s expressive voice, she shares her sorrows, her talents, her love of nature and things of beauty, and you get the feeling she could be the nice lady down the street--yet she is dealing with several different voices inside. Compounding the problem is the array of mixed messages she receives in therapy. I could feel the frustration almost as if it was my own. The phrase “Be gentle with yourself,” beckons not only the author throughout the book, but also the reader. There are sweet treasures shared, seeds of hope for healing, and indeed a wonderful ending.

Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Mending the Shattered Mirror: A Journey of Recovery from Abuse in Therapy"" is an extraordinary account that will resonate with tens of thousands of others who have had to undergo psychological and psychiatric treatment that would prove problematic and dysfunctional. While very highly recommended for both community and academic library Psychology/Psychiatry collections and supplemental studies lists, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Mending the Shattered Mirror" is also available in a Kindle format
​Midwestern Book Review ~ Psychology Shelf

I loved Mending the Shattered Mirror, and was riveted page after page. I am in awe of Analie Shepherd's wisdom, grace, strength, and intuition, as both a writer and a survivor. I believe this will be the response of anyone who reads this book and is moved and helped by it. ~ Deborah Needleman Armintor, Associate Professor of English, University of North Texas

​... Mending the Shattered Mirror is a mesmerizing beautifully written memoir about the impact of therapy abuse and recovery complete with drawings and poems by the author. This book should be read by anyone interested in therapy abuse and even abuse in general. It gives an inside picture of the traumatic impact of therapy abuse and the difficulty of recovery and of finding safe subsequent therapy. This book should be required reading for therapists in training and in practice. It will also be of value to people who have an interest in the defense of dissociation and DID/Dissociative Identity Disorder.
Review by Wanda ~ retired Psychiatrist

Analie's riveting story rings true in every word. It is beautifully written using actual email correspondence, poetry and narrative. I don't think there has ever been a book that so accurately chronicles the journey of therapists and a client. It also helps the reader to understand the life of one who lives with split personality. This is a book which should be required reading for every therapist and counselor. Most importantly, it is a book of great hope to those who find themselves in the care of a misdirected and abusive therapist.
​Cathy Aimo - grateful reader.