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All This Healing is Killing Me: A Memoir
At age 20, Gabrielle Pelicci returned from her modeling career in NYC to her hometown of Scranton, PA where her mother suddenly passed away. At her mother's funeral, Gabrielle had a spiritual experience that left her reeling and set her on a heroine's journey to learn about both the scientific and mystical explanations of human consciousness. Gabrielle studied a dozen healing practices, from alternative medicine to yoga, including travel immersions in Europe, Asia and Africa. Over the next 10 years, her complex PTSD symptoms persisted. Little by little, Gabrielle's childhood experiences of domestic violence, and her parents' mental illnesses and addictions are revealed. At age 30, still grieving the loss of her mother and disgusted with the fact that she can't overcome her anxiety and depression, Gabrielle attempted to take her own life. Luckily, she survived and continued on her journey of healing and trauma recovery, earning a Ph.D. and becoming a professor of Holistic Medicine, with a dissertation on Women Healers. In this deeply personal and vulnerable account, Gabrielle reveals how childhood trauma impacts our physical and mental health - as well as our adult relationships. She explores how you are only as sick as your secrets and telling your story is the medicine that can save your life. All This Healing is Killing Me is a brave narrative that reckons with the hold of the past over the present, the mind over the body and celebrates one woman's ability to write herself a happy ending.
230 pages, Paperback
Published February 7, 2023
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98 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 5, 2023
Emotional and powerful and really inspiring as well. Thank you Dr Gaby for sharing your story.One of the best memoirs ive read and one to remember
March 29, 2023
This memoir was poignant and vulnerable. It held my attention through to the very last page… but as a memoir on healing written by a PhD, it was also not what I expected. The book spans about 20 years, ending in 2019. Over that time period, the Dr. Gabrielle Pelicci seems to be chasing healing through various modalities spanning from western psych to holistic, eastern, and spiritual. I say that she seems to be because many of the reflections are of her racing against her past traumas, finding some level of healing in a new modality in the form of a retreat, then returning to the real world, falling into a new crisis and ending in a search for a new path to healing. I can relate to the search for healing, but in all the reflections she’s made, the new modalities appear more as a bandaid to avoid the past.
The book was a roller coaster to the finish, but personally, I would have appreciated more pages to the healing aspect of her journey. The book ends as she finally faces her past and works toward integrating the past traumas.. The integration of trauma is necessary to healing, but she devoted only one chapter to it in her memoir. My experience is that the work with the therapist is only the start of the hard work of integrating- in fact, she mentions the therapist indicated the full process of integration could take six months, but that’s where the author takes her leave. I would have loved to see how she used some of the other skills and modalities to further her healing once the trauma was integrated and she was healing from it all. For instance, did meditation get easier when her inner critic, who plays a prominent role in the book, begins to heal? Does the inner critic become her cheerleader? I feel this book ended at the beginning.
I’d like to thank Literally PR Ltd and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The book was a roller coaster to the finish, but personally, I would have appreciated more pages to the healing aspect of her journey. The book ends as she finally faces her past and works toward integrating the past traumas.. The integration of trauma is necessary to healing, but she devoted only one chapter to it in her memoir. My experience is that the work with the therapist is only the start of the hard work of integrating- in fact, she mentions the therapist indicated the full process of integration could take six months, but that’s where the author takes her leave. I would have loved to see how she used some of the other skills and modalities to further her healing once the trauma was integrated and she was healing from it all. For instance, did meditation get easier when her inner critic, who plays a prominent role in the book, begins to heal? Does the inner critic become her cheerleader? I feel this book ended at the beginning.
I’d like to thank Literally PR Ltd and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
At age 20, Gabrielle Pelicci returned from her modelling career in New York City to her hometown of Scranton, PA, only to face the sudden loss of her mother. At her mother’s funeral, Gabrielle experienced a profound spiritual awakening, marking the beginning of her quest to explore both the scientific and mystical dimensions of human consciousness.
This journey took her across the globe—studying various healing practices, from alternative medicine to yoga, and immersing herself in diverse cultures throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa. Despite her efforts, Gabrielle’s complex PTSD symptoms, stemming from childhood experiences of domestic violence and her parents’ mental illnesses and addictions, continued to haunt her over the next decade.
By age 30, still burdened by unresolved grief, anxiety, and depression, Gabrielle reached a breaking point and attempted to take her own life. Miraculously, she survived, and with renewed determination, she pressed forward on her path to healing. She eventually earned a Ph.D. in Holistic Medicine, with a dissertation on Women Healers, and became a professor in the field, using her personal journey as a foundation for her work.
In All This Healing is Killing Me, Gabrielle offers a raw and deeply personal account of how childhood trauma can shape our physical and mental health, as well as our adult relationships. She powerfully illustrates the importance of confronting the past, embracing vulnerability, and telling our stories as a means of healing. This brave memoir reckons with the enduring hold of trauma over the present, while celebrating one woman’s journey to reclaim her life and write her own happy ending.
Gabrielle’s story resonated with me on many levels. Her spiritual awakening after her mother’s death and the subsequent path she took to understand human consciousness was both compelling and inspiring. Through her candid narrative, she reveals how unhealed childhood wounds can manifest in our bodies and minds, affecting every aspect of our lives.
The writing style is engaging and accessible, drawing the reader in from the first page. I found myself turning pages without realising how much time had passed. This is not just a story of personal struggle; it’s a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Gabrielle’s honesty and vulnerability make this book both readable and deeply moving.
The authors bravery in sharing her story is a gift, offering hope to those who feel stuck or overwhelmed by life’s challenges.
At age 20, Gabrielle Pelicci returned from her modelling career in New York City to her hometown of Scranton, PA, only to face the sudden loss of her mother. At her mother’s funeral, Gabrielle experienced a profound spiritual awakening, marking the beginning of her quest to explore both the scientific and mystical dimensions of human consciousness.
This journey took her across the globe—studying various healing practices, from alternative medicine to yoga, and immersing herself in diverse cultures throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa. Despite her efforts, Gabrielle’s complex PTSD symptoms, stemming from childhood experiences of domestic violence and her parents’ mental illnesses and addictions, continued to haunt her over the next decade.
By age 30, still burdened by unresolved grief, anxiety, and depression, Gabrielle reached a breaking point and attempted to take her own life. Miraculously, she survived, and with renewed determination, she pressed forward on her path to healing. She eventually earned a Ph.D. in Holistic Medicine, with a dissertation on Women Healers, and became a professor in the field, using her personal journey as a foundation for her work.
In All This Healing is Killing Me, Gabrielle offers a raw and deeply personal account of how childhood trauma can shape our physical and mental health, as well as our adult relationships. She powerfully illustrates the importance of confronting the past, embracing vulnerability, and telling our stories as a means of healing. This brave memoir reckons with the enduring hold of trauma over the present, while celebrating one woman’s journey to reclaim her life and write her own happy ending.
Gabrielle’s story resonated with me on many levels. Her spiritual awakening after her mother’s death and the subsequent path she took to understand human consciousness was both compelling and inspiring. Through her candid narrative, she reveals how unhealed childhood wounds can manifest in our bodies and minds, affecting every aspect of our lives.
The writing style is engaging and accessible, drawing the reader in from the first page. I found myself turning pages without realising how much time had passed. This is not just a story of personal struggle; it’s a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Gabrielle’s honesty and vulnerability make this book both readable and deeply moving.
The authors bravery in sharing her story is a gift, offering hope to those who feel stuck or overwhelmed by life’s challenges.
May 10, 2023
The author opens up to us all here and shares a deeply moving and emotional journey. I cannot imagine how vulnerable she must’ve felt at some points throughout her time writing this book. The author literally turned herself into an open book for us all to see.
We explore Gabrielle’s journey of self exploration, healing, spiritual growth and spiritual enlightenment via the powerful story she shares within these pages. You will be inspired, motivated, shocked and saddened by what you read here but I’m pretty sure that every single reader will take something away from this book, something that will stay with them forever.
I liked how Gabriel went into detail about how childhood trauma can impact us physically and mentally, not just when we are growing up, but also when we are adults. She brings to our attention how someone’s childhood experiences can mess up that person’s whole life if they allow them to.
Nobody‘s journey through life is easy, but from reading this book, I have learnt that each obstacle we face can be looked at as an important life lesson and each life lesson learnt will help one to become a better person in some way.
There is so much more that I would like to say about this book, but that would mean me rambling on forever, so I am going to leave it here and end this review with a little summary;
This was a very brave, thoughtful, courageous and enlightening read which I highly recommend!
We explore Gabrielle’s journey of self exploration, healing, spiritual growth and spiritual enlightenment via the powerful story she shares within these pages. You will be inspired, motivated, shocked and saddened by what you read here but I’m pretty sure that every single reader will take something away from this book, something that will stay with them forever.
I liked how Gabriel went into detail about how childhood trauma can impact us physically and mentally, not just when we are growing up, but also when we are adults. She brings to our attention how someone’s childhood experiences can mess up that person’s whole life if they allow them to.
Nobody‘s journey through life is easy, but from reading this book, I have learnt that each obstacle we face can be looked at as an important life lesson and each life lesson learnt will help one to become a better person in some way.
There is so much more that I would like to say about this book, but that would mean me rambling on forever, so I am going to leave it here and end this review with a little summary;
This was a very brave, thoughtful, courageous and enlightening read which I highly recommend!
August 24, 2025
All this healing is killing me too so obviously picked this book up. I thought it would be more in the sense of having to meditate, journal, go to therapy, positive affirmations, eat healthy, exercises … it’s exhausting. And in a way I guess it was but she’s also really selling all alternative spiritual practices and uses this practices in her day to day job so it did feel a bit like I’m expected to buy into alternative therapies.
I’m glad it worked out for her and get that what makes things “click” for most of us is pretty different and it takes time so still grateful to listen to another story even if different from my own.
It really upset me the part where she thought she’s “healed” and was teaching others how to heal themselves only to find out years later she was not yet healed :( very annoying it’s not linear and we deceive ourselves. Also felt strange to get to the end of the book and hear her final “revealing of secrets “ as the burden she carried since being already a phd doctor in healing and therapy. I find it so hard to understand how basics concepts that she knew very well of were never considered as an option on her healing journey despite seemingly trying everything else 😢
I’m glad it worked out for her and get that what makes things “click” for most of us is pretty different and it takes time so still grateful to listen to another story even if different from my own.
It really upset me the part where she thought she’s “healed” and was teaching others how to heal themselves only to find out years later she was not yet healed :( very annoying it’s not linear and we deceive ourselves. Also felt strange to get to the end of the book and hear her final “revealing of secrets “ as the burden she carried since being already a phd doctor in healing and therapy. I find it so hard to understand how basics concepts that she knew very well of were never considered as an option on her healing journey despite seemingly trying everything else 😢
June 5, 2023
First I want to list the trigger warnings provided by the author, Dr. Gabrielle Pelicci. Abuse, addiction, death, domestic violence, eating disorders, mental illness, sexual situations, suicide, and trauma.
I can ONLY recommend reading this book if you are comfortable with these topics. It is not a book for everyone, but it is raw, emotional, and honest - none the less.
This book is so well written and covers the beautiful and the dirty side of Dr. Pelicci’s life. Her honest, and sometimes difficult to read (had to take my time with this book due to the traumatic nature), depiction of the trauma she experienced over the last few decades and the many attempts to heal from it are simply fascinating.
This book is enthralling and different from other books regarding trauma and healing I have read. I was not expecting the emphasis on mystical, spiritual, and less “mainstream” types healing. I went into this book blind and I truly enjoyed reading it. I want to thank Dr. Gabrielle Pelicci for sharing her story with the world, I know it couldn’t have been easy.
I received a free copy of this book from the wonderful people at Literally PR in exchange for my honest review.
I can ONLY recommend reading this book if you are comfortable with these topics. It is not a book for everyone, but it is raw, emotional, and honest - none the less.
This book is so well written and covers the beautiful and the dirty side of Dr. Pelicci’s life. Her honest, and sometimes difficult to read (had to take my time with this book due to the traumatic nature), depiction of the trauma she experienced over the last few decades and the many attempts to heal from it are simply fascinating.
This book is enthralling and different from other books regarding trauma and healing I have read. I was not expecting the emphasis on mystical, spiritual, and less “mainstream” types healing. I went into this book blind and I truly enjoyed reading it. I want to thank Dr. Gabrielle Pelicci for sharing her story with the world, I know it couldn’t have been easy.
I received a free copy of this book from the wonderful people at Literally PR in exchange for my honest review.
May 29, 2023
Wow.
I was wondering what I would feel about reading a memoir from someone I didn’t know, a non-celebrity that I wasn’t emotionally invested in or nosey about.
However, I was gripped.
I was half way through the paperback version when I realised there was also an audio version read by Dr Gabby herself. So, I started again as I thought it would be interesting to hear her story in her own words.
The audible version starts off a little nervously, but stick with it. Dr Gabby grows in confidence and it is fascinating and raw to hear her tell her story.
To young Gabrielle, I wept for you.
To adult Dr Gabby, I swung between being in awe of you, to wanting to shake you! I wanted to be your friend and say “stay on the boat, take me with you island hoping around the Caribbean and for goodness sake ignore the email from (no spoilers so…… let’s call him ‘Dick’!!)
You are a Queen, you don’t need a man!”
Yay for Michelle! 🙌🏻
Anyhow, read the memoir, it’s truly fascinating.
April 3, 2023
All This Healing is Killing Me by Gabrielle Pelicci is a powerful novel about Gabrielle. Her story touched me in many ways. From her mother’s death, where she had a spiritual experience that left her reeling and set the start of her heroine's journey to learn about both the scientific and mystical explanations of human consciousness. She has undergone a difficult path to heal and move on. I found it extremely interesting the fact that in the narrative Gabrielle reveals how childhood trauma impacts physical and mental health, as well as adult relationships. The writing style made the story easy and pleasant to read. I kept on reading page after page without noticing the hours that went by. I strongly recommend this book to every passionate reader. I think it is one of the best novels I’ve ever read.
June 4, 2023
Without hesitation, I give this book 5* - I found this book very readable and compelling. It's a very well written raw, honest and authentic account of a very long healing journey. It highlights the importance of keeping going through the ups and downs of life and how fundamental it is to self-reflect and keep working on all aspects of the mind, body and spirit for ultimate healing. Although the author shares some very difficult experiences, it's an inspiring and positive read. I would highly recommend it to anybody who is struggling in life, in need of a boost to keep going or anyone looking for transformation. I honour the bravery and authenticity of the author to write this and think it's a wonderful reminder that life is not full of roses and that determination, courage and trust in life to unfold can make the path a bit easier.
April 3, 2023
Author Gabriela Pelicci did a beautiful job here in setting a perfect plot for all of us to enjoy. The book is not long, so it can be finished in only a couple of sittings or even during a weekend or holiday.
The theme of self-exploration and self-finding is the ingredient of this beautiful journey I took when I bought this title.
The book is a memoir, it is inspirational and a must-read when facing difficult situations in life or even a drama. In the end, when one opens up the final chapter, hope comes with it, hope that a better life is possible and it is our job to go and give it meaning.
The theme of self-exploration and self-finding is the ingredient of this beautiful journey I took when I bought this title.
The book is a memoir, it is inspirational and a must-read when facing difficult situations in life or even a drama. In the end, when one opens up the final chapter, hope comes with it, hope that a better life is possible and it is our job to go and give it meaning.
May 27, 2023
Thank you @litpr and @drgabbyPelicc for letting me be part of this tour and reviewing this book. All this Healing is killing me is a memoir and Dr Gabrielle Pelicci talks sbout her life, her mental health and her journey and finding herself again. I found this to be fascinating and a spiritual read. love how honest Dr Gabrielle Pelicci is about her childhood and her relationships. The writing is beautifully written and is moving and I felt like I was going on a journey with her. Even though Dr Gabrielle Pelicci went through some hard times she came through it. I loved founding out how she became a healer I found that really interesting. Brilliant 5 stars.
March 5, 2023
An embodiment of Courage
In the book Dr. Gabby describes her life‘s journey of learning to be a parent to herself(a quest for mature love)The inspiring act of writing this book is the embodiment of vulnerability and courage the writer has learned along her journey. The body of work is a testament to the healing value the author speaks to. The author provokes great thought of what it is to be a woman and what it is to be a healer. It is clear her life long dedication to exploring this ever-evolving question.
In the book Dr. Gabby describes her life‘s journey of learning to be a parent to herself(a quest for mature love)The inspiring act of writing this book is the embodiment of vulnerability and courage the writer has learned along her journey. The body of work is a testament to the healing value the author speaks to. The author provokes great thought of what it is to be a woman and what it is to be a healer. It is clear her life long dedication to exploring this ever-evolving question.
April 4, 2023
Not for me. I feel bad saying that I didn't enjoy this author's life story because it is her story but... I really didn't vibe with it. I thought this would be a more "Body Keeps the Score"-esque trauma-overcoming memoir and it was actually an deep dive into ~alternative medicine~ and I was not into it at all. I can't not finish a book so I did but I seriously considered it. The writing itself is not bad per se, I just did not enjoy it; I think those are two separate things.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
May 23, 2023
Gabrielle shares her story about overcoming childhood trauma & finding healthy ways to do so & cope with her life as it stands .
I loved her honesty & respect her determination to make herself into a better human . Because honestly we all have trauma of some sort & maybe you don't vibe with her methods of handling it but I'm sure anyone can pick up a positivity from this memoir.
#netgalley #healinginnature 🖤
Thank u Netgalley for the Arc.
I loved her honesty & respect her determination to make herself into a better human . Because honestly we all have trauma of some sort & maybe you don't vibe with her methods of handling it but I'm sure anyone can pick up a positivity from this memoir.
#netgalley #healinginnature 🖤
Thank u Netgalley for the Arc.
September 19, 2025
Dang, this girl has been through it. It was crazy to walk with her through her life, convinced that each next thing would be the ticket to allow her to confront and process her trauma. It was astonishing to feel the very visceral response she had with each new hurdle, a testament to how much our bodies hold our stories and hang onto our wounds. The writing was super accessible and was easy to sink into, even though the story was pretty harrowing.
April 16, 2023
An honest and heartfelt account here from the author. At times this is heart breaking but its interesting to see where this journey takes her, and I felt that I definitely went on a journey with the author.
Emotional, tender, surprising and entertaining, this book has the ability to take you through a thoroughfare of emotions.
Emotional, tender, surprising and entertaining, this book has the ability to take you through a thoroughfare of emotions.
May 16, 2023
All This Healing is Killing Me: A Memoir. It’s an incredible voyage of self discover. I loved reading this book and found it hard to put down! A captivating and beautifully written memoir. A feat of strength, survival and healing. Thank you to Gabrielle Pellici for writing this book and to Literallypr.com for asking me to review it.
May 18, 2023
What a lovely and well written memoir. I really enjoyed reading this and finished it in no time.
Emotional at times but an extremely powerful and touching story.
Uplifting to see the strength and healing involved in this.
A true positive outlook for me. Thank you.
Thank you to team @literallyPR for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Emotional at times but an extremely powerful and touching story.
Uplifting to see the strength and healing involved in this.
A true positive outlook for me. Thank you.
Thank you to team @literallyPR for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 3, 2024
I listened to this as an audiobook. Would not recommend. It is very monotoned. I read a lot of memoirs, and found this one extremely boring. Not sure if I would have enjoyed it more if I would have read it versus listening to it. I did enjoy the girl power theme.
March 22, 2023
Healing, engrossing, a journey to find strength through connecting with ourselves.
May 25, 2023
This is a really raw book as the author shares her personal journey. Definitely worth a read if you have experienced childhood trauma, or are dealing with the impact of that and PTSD
June 30, 2023
Gabby is a great writer, with a lot of self reflection.
May 31, 2023
Healing and killing in the same title? That grabbed me.
In her memoir, Gabrielle Pelicci recounts her twenty years of trying to become an ‘adult’, heal from the pain of trauma, and integrate her mystical experiences.
The author’s pain and deep disappointments suffuse the page. Each time she seemingly finds success and fulfilment, her balance is shaken and she must start afresh. She’s clearly an intelligent and highly capable woman, and I wanted to reach into the pages and comfort her. I felt like I was living through her experiences with her in real-time.
Despite learning different healing and spiritual modalities, in the end she must get in touch with her own deep-seated trauma to begin the process of healing her physical and psychological pain. Her happy ending is still in the making.
I received a free copy from Literally PR, and this is my honest review.
In her memoir, Gabrielle Pelicci recounts her twenty years of trying to become an ‘adult’, heal from the pain of trauma, and integrate her mystical experiences.
The author’s pain and deep disappointments suffuse the page. Each time she seemingly finds success and fulfilment, her balance is shaken and she must start afresh. She’s clearly an intelligent and highly capable woman, and I wanted to reach into the pages and comfort her. I felt like I was living through her experiences with her in real-time.
Despite learning different healing and spiritual modalities, in the end she must get in touch with her own deep-seated trauma to begin the process of healing her physical and psychological pain. Her happy ending is still in the making.
I received a free copy from Literally PR, and this is my honest review.
September 4, 2023
All This Healing Is Killing Me by Dr Gabrielle Pelicci
Dr Gabby was talking to me when she wrote this book – or at least that’s how it felt when I read All This Healing Is Killing Me. I am going through my own trauma and challenges in my personal life at the moment, and while not the same as what the author has been through, I identified with her approach of trying new things, focusing on therapies such as yoga as a support structure, and her interest in learning more about how to heal from trauma and tragedy through the experiences and teachings of others. I’m right at that stage right now. It felt comforting to know that the author has been through a lot and as a consequence is where she is now, who she is now, out ‘the other side’ so to speak. This is a very powerful book and I look forward to reading everything else that Dr Gabby produces – her writing is addictive and emotive and exactly what I need.
Food recommendation: A Power Bowl full of delicious food and bright colours to make me feel fab!
Drinks recommendation: A big ole smoothie!
Dr Gabby was talking to me when she wrote this book – or at least that’s how it felt when I read All This Healing Is Killing Me. I am going through my own trauma and challenges in my personal life at the moment, and while not the same as what the author has been through, I identified with her approach of trying new things, focusing on therapies such as yoga as a support structure, and her interest in learning more about how to heal from trauma and tragedy through the experiences and teachings of others. I’m right at that stage right now. It felt comforting to know that the author has been through a lot and as a consequence is where she is now, who she is now, out ‘the other side’ so to speak. This is a very powerful book and I look forward to reading everything else that Dr Gabby produces – her writing is addictive and emotive and exactly what I need.
Food recommendation: A Power Bowl full of delicious food and bright colours to make me feel fab!
Drinks recommendation: A big ole smoothie!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews