About the Author

Ya'el Chaikind, MPH, MA, LPCC is a licensed psychotherapist in private practice and certified practitioner of Brainspotting, a brain-body trauma healing system. She holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling from Highlands University and a Master of Public Health from Rutgers University. To date, Ya'el has published eight nonfiction books and numerous poems, essays, articles, and short fiction in various anthologies and literary journals. As a psychotherapist, Ya'el supports clients in re-writing the stories that no longer serve them to create a life of more connection, meaning, and belonging. As a book consultant, she shares her craft with aspiring authors to help them achieve their writing and publishing dreams. She lives in beautiful Santa Fe, NM. Visit her website at www.yaelchaikind.com. Barry M. Panter, MD, PhD graduated from Rutgers University and Temple University School of Medicine. He did his pediatric residency at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Hollywood, California and a psychiatric residency at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut. He is a clinical professor of psychiatry (Emeritus) at the USC school of medicine and a training and supervising analyst at the Southern California Psychoanalytic Institute (Emeritus) and the Institute for Contemporary Psychoanalysis in Los Angeles. (Emeritus). He is a Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He is board-certified in Pediatrics and in Psychiatry and Neurology. He has co-authored and co-edited Creativity and Madness - Psychological Studies of Art and Artists, volumes 1, 2, and 3. He is the author of Thirty-Three Poems for Mary Lou. Jacqueline, his wife, is the founder and co-director of the Women of Resilience Conferences. They reside in Rancho Mirage with their Italian water dog Pucci (Puccini), whom they consider to be Best of family.

Reviews

"For those who wish to understand, empathize, and connect with the deep well of compassion within them, look no further than the stories that grace the pages of this most profound and important book." - Keith Carlson, BSN, RN, NC-BC, The Nurse Keith Show "Having the courage to face our own darkness, go through the difficult and painful healing process, and then share our stories with others, is redemptive and cathartic. Whether you have direct experience with bipolar or not, many people will relate to the resilience, life force, love, and creativity of these authors. I highly recommend this book!"- Nina Ross, PhD, Author, The Art of Depth Psychology: Intimacy With Images "These stories will break your heart open with compassion, even as they are educating you to the realities of growing up with a bipolar parent." - Rabbinic Pastor David Daniel Klipper "The traumas and memories of these personal stories become as indelible to the caring reader as they clearly are to the authors. This material takes us into the world of bipolar with invaluable realism. As one whose own life has been impacted by the bipolar personality, Children of Bipolar Parents is a vital reference."- Reverend Ann Rea, Senior Minister, Everyday Center for Spiritual Living "This intriguing and revealing book bravely wades into the bipolar ocean of emotions that creates traumatic waves of shock and struggle for children of bipolar parents. We find amazingly honest examples of heart wrenching behavior and volatility combined with gratitude, acceptance, and hope for change." - Bob Hoffman, Poet and Attorney
"The complexity of how bipolar symptoms can manifest is captured in this collective telling. These poignant depictions help the reader distinguish between understanding the true self and what was ascribed by unpredictability and abuse from the past. Throughout this perceptive and engaging book, the message of strength, hope, and healing prevails."- Brenda Jaffe, LCSW (retired)
"These personal narratives portray the confused, unstable, and painful reality of what it's like as a child to be living with a parent challenged by mental illness. If your childhood experience resonates within these stories, know that you are not alone. Know also, if your past still troubles you-with guidance, you can overcome it."- Deborah Gallinger, CCHt, Clinical / Medical Support Hypnotherapist
"What first stands out is the terrible impact on these children of the uncertainty of daily survival and what version of a parent will show up in any moment. Just as clearly, this book offers sensitive insights and proof of the power available for healing and transformation for those born into similarly tragic childhoods."- Mark Perry, CHt, C-NLP, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist
"These stories evoke deep empathy for humanity and the challenges many have faced with loved ones. A facet of nearly everyone's experience exists inside this compilation to show we are not alone in our journey. This book deeply resonates and will bring healing we didn't know we needed." -Kiki Vance, Registered Somatic Movement Therapist
"Wow! What brutally honest and incredibly touching stories. I could actually feel some of the tension described in these childhood homes. One of my main takeaways is that we can find beauty even in pain. Also, that telling our stories breaks the silence of shame around mental illness. I feel that Children of Bipolar Parents really gets these messages across." -Aaron D. Schwartz, LCSW, CADC