I Never Knew I Had A Choice: Explorations in Personal Growth

by Gerald Corey, Marianne Schneider Corey

Thousands of readers have been touched by past editions of this warm, frank, and personal book focused on personal growth. This book is designed to help students expand their self-awareness as they explore the significant choices available to them in the various dimensions of life. As students work through the self-inventories, exercises, and activities and read the first-person accounts of the choices real people have made in response to challenging life events, they will begin to explore themselves, their lives, and their beliefs and attitudes in a way that is personally empowering.

Genres: Psychology, Self Help, Textbooks, Nonfiction

476 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Gerald Corey is an author, consultant, counselor, and educator. He is a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Counseling at the University of Holy Cross.

Reviews

[Kendra Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tons of self evaluation was elicited from this textbook. I did this for one of my Psych classes at community college. I learned so much about myself. I still have the book and look at it from time to time..

[Robin Gane-McCalla · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting combination of self-help and psychology textbook. It has the objectivity and support in science that most self-help books lack. It gives an overview of various topics in life and the challenges that people go through with them. It's geared towards college students, but can be appreciated by anybody with some creative interpretation. The chapters are short overviews of topics like loneliness, stress and relationships. They're easy to read and lack deep explorations into specific subjects. This book is a good shallow level references for how you're developing through most of the basic joys and pains of life.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just spent a last pleasant morning journalling with this book. It's a nice tool for self-reflection. A little introductory for me (after two philosophy degrees and many years of therapy, I've done a lot of self-questioning) but would be excellent for someone starting out in this process. I read the sixth edition and found it a little dated in some parts, but overall still enjoyable with some useful suggestions for reflection.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Dynamics of Behavior professor made us buy the Cengage thing for the quizzes and the book. He never talked much about the lessons in class, but it was a nice self reflection tool for our class assignments. The topics in this book are some that I really enjoy about psychology and that made me want to major in it in the first place so yeah... good book I guess

[Jennifer Conner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diving deep into one's own human growth and development is integral for the helping professional . To understand one's self and examine our own attachment styles/upbringing, etc makes us better equipped to help others. This book does just that. There's some pretty difficult self-work involved so be kind to yourself as you work through this💗

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as part of my Psychology of Adjustment college course. I enjoyed the reading.

[Adam Gordon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very intro-level writing with some good nuggets for self-reflection.

[Le Phu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes me about a month to finish and it's really worth reading for many mature age groups.
This completely works with self-learning or class courses, if you do self-learning, it's advisable to discuss with friends about the topics you learn.
I love how genuine it written by its author, from sharing of experience, informative with presise and careful evaluated numbers, information. It seems to be impossible to write all of the facets in life for a personal exploration book, but how perfect this book gave me for the journey to explore myself, I have to say, is just like an open avenue with many directions of what I will take in the future, I know it's all about choices.

[Steve Sorensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book as supplementary reading in college and was captivated by its ability to ask the questions that assist me to understand myself and others much more so than other books I've read.
It is far more than an instructional textbook - it asks of you, the reader, to participate in the journey from developmental years to your last days, exploring paths you might not think to look.
It is a book that will go as far as you are willing to go yourself - but if your are motivated, this is an instruction book on life that I recommend for all ages,
Enjoy!

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am currently reading this book for a graduate course. I am only 2 weeks into the class, and the text is already helping me figure stuff out in my life!
Although it is written for current and future counselors/therapists, I would encourage many people to use this as a guide when facing some of life's obstacles.

[Amy Wasson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and the class. This book could be life changing if I owned it. I rented the book, but I would love to own it because the book is inspirational to live out your dreams, think about life, and what you want in life!

[mehri · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book for everyone to think deeper about life

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! This book helps the reader to look within themselves and evaluate why they are who they are. It gives the reader the necessary tools to become a better person.

[Yvettez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was used for my EPSY class. It was very inspiring and made me view things differently.

[Bima Putra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice for self help

[Angella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had this book for a class and would recommend it to anyone!