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The Road to Transcendence #1
Truth Beyond Words: A Teaching Novel
Fictionalized psychotherapy transcripts together with personal journals illustrate the thoughts of a psychologist and his clients as they address common life problems. Sexual fantasies and occasionally awkward intimate encounters, interspersed with humor, provide lessons concerning commitment and honesty. By correcting errors in thinking that are almost universal, clients are prepared for transcendental experiences. The novel chronicles their journey toward self-actualization.
380 pages, Paperback
Published April 5, 2017
3 people want to read
About the author
Neal Ritter
3 books10 followersDr. Neal Ritter earned his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Arkansas in 1978, followed by postdoctoral work in neuropsychology. After a fulfilling career, he retired and now lives in Fayetteville, AR, with his wife, Ana, and their two dogs. Various job opportunities took him from a small town in the Ouachita Mountains to Phoenix, Hot Springs, New Orleans, and finally, Fayetteville, where he has the last spent 34 years.
During his career, Dr. Ritter held clinical management positions in community mental health centers, a professional school, a brain injury rehabilitation facility, chronic pain clinics, and a rehabilitation hospital. He also developed a professional practice, during which he was jury qualified as an expert witness in Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology in seven states. In addition, he had the privilege of teaching, training, and supervising many mental health professionals.
Dr. Ritter’s practice addressed a wide range of issues, from gender dysphoria to parenting challenges, generalized anxiety to relationship conflicts—often in the same day. His work allowed him to gain valuable insights into the universal problems we all face in everyday life. His experiences, along with a sense of gratitude for all he had been given, led him to begin writing after retirement.
To his surprise, the words flowed easily. He found himself typing as if he were involved in an actual session, bringing the stories to life in a way that reflected all he had learned in his career. In his writing, Dr. Ritter’s intent is not to provide the answers, but rather to guide readers to discover their own solutions, much like he did in his clinical work.
Through his engaging story-telling style, Dr. Ritter offers lessons reminiscent of fables, parables, and allegories, weaving timeless wisdom into captivating narratives. His goal is to entertain while subtly teaching life’s underlying truths, speaking to the subconscious mind that shapes much of our behavior and decision-making.
During his career, Dr. Ritter held clinical management positions in community mental health centers, a professional school, a brain injury rehabilitation facility, chronic pain clinics, and a rehabilitation hospital. He also developed a professional practice, during which he was jury qualified as an expert witness in Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology in seven states. In addition, he had the privilege of teaching, training, and supervising many mental health professionals.
Dr. Ritter’s practice addressed a wide range of issues, from gender dysphoria to parenting challenges, generalized anxiety to relationship conflicts—often in the same day. His work allowed him to gain valuable insights into the universal problems we all face in everyday life. His experiences, along with a sense of gratitude for all he had been given, led him to begin writing after retirement.
To his surprise, the words flowed easily. He found himself typing as if he were involved in an actual session, bringing the stories to life in a way that reflected all he had learned in his career. In his writing, Dr. Ritter’s intent is not to provide the answers, but rather to guide readers to discover their own solutions, much like he did in his clinical work.
Through his engaging story-telling style, Dr. Ritter offers lessons reminiscent of fables, parables, and allegories, weaving timeless wisdom into captivating narratives. His goal is to entertain while subtly teaching life’s underlying truths, speaking to the subconscious mind that shapes much of our behavior and decision-making.
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July 21, 2017
This novel, which really reads like a "true story," is a highly riveting read. I found it difficult to put down! It hooks you in from the very beginning & the pace of the events is excellent. This book primarily involves 4 people; 1 psychotherapist, 2 clients & one of their friends. It addresses many feelings, thoughts & problems that all people have; that there's "simply got to be MORE to life" than this. If you are a psychologist/psychotherapist, a student of psychology, someone who thinks about the meaning your life has/can have or are just curious about the mind/existential aspects of life, then this book will be of high interest to you. You get to see characters really growing in their psychological, moral & spiritual lives, as well as how they go about doing this. One important thing that I got from it is the reminder that "the glasses from which we look" (such a human thing we do!) are sometimes faulty & it is good to remind yourself of & explore this. The story line also includes some real twists & turns that will have you on the edge of your seat & very surprised near & at the end! Reading this novel was a very pleasurable experience. I also recommend it for professionals preparing to work & those who have worked in the field of practicing psychotherapy.
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