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Generations Deep: Unmasking Inherited Dysfunction and Trauma to Rewrite Our Stories Through Faith and Therapy
Does our story begin before we take our first breath?
Exploring the lives of four generations in one family, Generations Deep reveals the unhealthy patterns of behavior that can repeat from one generation to the next, uncovering how we can find ourselves trapped in a cycle of dysfunction if we don't take the time and effort to repair the damage of the past. Gina Birkemeier–a licensed professional counselor, author and speaker--shares her personal story, along with self-help components throughout the book, which allow you to navigate through your own journey toward healing.
Gina examines how unaddressed trauma, emotional wounds and false beliefs are passed down and how we can break those cycles that harm us and those we love. As she shares her raw and sometimes heartbreaking story—as well as the stories of her ancestors—we see how our beliefs and behaviors are influenced by the emotional health of our caregivers. Gina tells a story of bondage to freedom and of shame to self-compassion.
Faith and therapy played important roles in Gina's personal healing, and with nearly two decades of experience in counseling and ministry, she uses her personal and professional knowledge to implore us to do our own work to heal. Gina encourages us to consider mental, physical, emotional and spiritual help in doing so.
Offering questions and theories to consider, including a questionnaire created with the help of sixty therapists, Generations Deep will guide you toward your own growth where it’s possible to slay shame and find freedom—for yourself and for generations to come.
If you are looking for a guide on your journey from familial chaos to peace, clarity, and forgiveness, you need this book. Generations Deep is immensely practical, but it will also have you in tears, in shock, and ultimately inspired to live your very best life. Read this book at your own risk though, because it will forever change how you see yourself and your family.
Exploring the lives of four generations in one family, Generations Deep reveals the unhealthy patterns of behavior that can repeat from one generation to the next, uncovering how we can find ourselves trapped in a cycle of dysfunction if we don't take the time and effort to repair the damage of the past. Gina Birkemeier–a licensed professional counselor, author and speaker--shares her personal story, along with self-help components throughout the book, which allow you to navigate through your own journey toward healing.
Gina examines how unaddressed trauma, emotional wounds and false beliefs are passed down and how we can break those cycles that harm us and those we love. As she shares her raw and sometimes heartbreaking story—as well as the stories of her ancestors—we see how our beliefs and behaviors are influenced by the emotional health of our caregivers. Gina tells a story of bondage to freedom and of shame to self-compassion.
Faith and therapy played important roles in Gina's personal healing, and with nearly two decades of experience in counseling and ministry, she uses her personal and professional knowledge to implore us to do our own work to heal. Gina encourages us to consider mental, physical, emotional and spiritual help in doing so.
Offering questions and theories to consider, including a questionnaire created with the help of sixty therapists, Generations Deep will guide you toward your own growth where it’s possible to slay shame and find freedom—for yourself and for generations to come.
If you are looking for a guide on your journey from familial chaos to peace, clarity, and forgiveness, you need this book. Generations Deep is immensely practical, but it will also have you in tears, in shock, and ultimately inspired to live your very best life. Read this book at your own risk though, because it will forever change how you see yourself and your family.
362 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 22, 2021
32 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Gina Birkemeier
3 books7 followersGina Birkemeier is a licensed professional counselor with a master’s degree in psychology and theology from Covenant Theological Seminary and advanced training in trauma and techniques to help people heal. She’s also an author, and her recent book, Generations Deep: Unmasking Inherited Dysfunction and Trauma to Rewrite Our Stories Through Faith and Therapy (Publication Date: March 25, 2021), ranked No. 1 on Amazon’s New Releases in Christian Personal Growth and also ranked No. 35 on Amazon’s best sellers list. Gina speaks and teaches on topics related to shame, generational trauma and behavioral epigenetics, and she works as a therapist at CrossRoads Counseling in St. Louis, Missouri.
Gina believes that the most beneficial coaching, counseling and overall approach to life is rooted in an understanding that our spiritual, physical, mental and emotional health are all inextricably connected. Her teaching and writing are underpinned with a combination of faith (a healthy relationship with God) and science (psychology, biology and epigenetics).
As a survivor of a false narrative herself -- and the trauma and dysfunction that helped create it -- Gina’s goal is to shine a bright light on the idea that the story we tell ourselves the most is the one that becomes most true. Her passion to help others heal from past hurts, slay shame, break unhealthy cycles and find freedom led her to write her latest book, Generations Deep: Unmasking Inherited Dysfunction and Trauma to Rewrite Our Stories Through Faith and Therapy.
Her previous books include: The Faithful Brain Ignited and Unconventional Self-Care: Healthfully Selfish Activities to Become More Effective in Your Daily Life and Relationships. You can find out more about Gina at GenerationsDeep.com and ItsMyOutLoudVoice.com.
Gina believes that the most beneficial coaching, counseling and overall approach to life is rooted in an understanding that our spiritual, physical, mental and emotional health are all inextricably connected. Her teaching and writing are underpinned with a combination of faith (a healthy relationship with God) and science (psychology, biology and epigenetics).
As a survivor of a false narrative herself -- and the trauma and dysfunction that helped create it -- Gina’s goal is to shine a bright light on the idea that the story we tell ourselves the most is the one that becomes most true. Her passion to help others heal from past hurts, slay shame, break unhealthy cycles and find freedom led her to write her latest book, Generations Deep: Unmasking Inherited Dysfunction and Trauma to Rewrite Our Stories Through Faith and Therapy.
Her previous books include: The Faithful Brain Ignited and Unconventional Self-Care: Healthfully Selfish Activities to Become More Effective in Your Daily Life and Relationships. You can find out more about Gina at GenerationsDeep.com and ItsMyOutLoudVoice.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
August 18, 2021
Gina does an excellent job with taking a gentle and inviting approach with her reader to walk them through the hall of memories of experiences she had growing up in a broken home. She tells her story to demonstrate the depths of pain and brokenness, with caution to the reader that may be triggered.
In sharing her story she (spoiler alert) demonstrates the lengths God went to heal and restore her relationships to her family. Doubtless, it is a story only God could have orchestrated.
In reading through the redemptive portions toward the end, Gina had me in tears of joy for the healing that happens.
Most of the book is her telling her story, but the last third is rich in encouragement and extremely practical suggestions for journaling and includes invitations to the reader to reflect and delve into their own past traumas and family hurts.
While I didn't always agree with everything in the book - specifically that generational habits and patterns are handed down and unless broken by your own work and Christ's grace, you are going to repeat history - much of the lessons in her book are true and make a lot of sense of the way our families function and why.
She is a sweet voice to cheer the reader on to their own victory in healing with therapy and the person of Jesus. I would love to be a friend of hers, she seems so real and authentic.
There are additional resources in the end of the book for surveys that the reader can use to pursue more evidence based practices. As a former case worker myself, I found her narrative and take on Christians and therapy true and articulating the need for it very well, especially the part about common grace and secular therapy approaches.
She is a rare person to have had the experiences she did and find the healing and restoration of her relationships in Christ. Not that it's impossible for others to have, and she wishes it for those too, which is part of why she wrote the book I think.
A worthwhile read for anyone looking for a successful way to process their past hurts and brokenness. Like a hand guide to healing from family-inflicted abuse, neglect, and brokenness in general.
In sharing her story she (spoiler alert) demonstrates the lengths God went to heal and restore her relationships to her family. Doubtless, it is a story only God could have orchestrated.
In reading through the redemptive portions toward the end, Gina had me in tears of joy for the healing that happens.
Most of the book is her telling her story, but the last third is rich in encouragement and extremely practical suggestions for journaling and includes invitations to the reader to reflect and delve into their own past traumas and family hurts.
While I didn't always agree with everything in the book - specifically that generational habits and patterns are handed down and unless broken by your own work and Christ's grace, you are going to repeat history - much of the lessons in her book are true and make a lot of sense of the way our families function and why.
She is a sweet voice to cheer the reader on to their own victory in healing with therapy and the person of Jesus. I would love to be a friend of hers, she seems so real and authentic.
There are additional resources in the end of the book for surveys that the reader can use to pursue more evidence based practices. As a former case worker myself, I found her narrative and take on Christians and therapy true and articulating the need for it very well, especially the part about common grace and secular therapy approaches.
She is a rare person to have had the experiences she did and find the healing and restoration of her relationships in Christ. Not that it's impossible for others to have, and she wishes it for those too, which is part of why she wrote the book I think.
A worthwhile read for anyone looking for a successful way to process their past hurts and brokenness. Like a hand guide to healing from family-inflicted abuse, neglect, and brokenness in general.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2022
The title caught my interest as I read that the author wanted to reveal that unhealthy patterns of behavior can repeat from one generation to the next. The author, Gina Birkemeier is a licensed professional counselor, author and speaker who shares her own story with self helps and healing processes along the way for readers who may have similar stories. She tells a story of bondage to freedom and of shame to self-compassion. She wants her readers to realize that it is possible to come from shame to freedom for yourself and generations to come.
For myself, I found that in many ways I could identify with the author, having experienced some trauma in my own life as a child and into my teen years. But on the other hand, I could not completely identify. Why? Gina was not raised in a Christian family, or a family who really cared and taught her the Truths of God. I was. Praise God! So many do not have that privilege. And though I did experience some trauma, I was blessed to have help in my early years. I had people in my life who cared, and I believe it brought me through that trauma more quickly than many, who like Gina were not as fortunate.
I would say read it at your own discretion. Personally, I think the author went into way too much detail on many points, details that could have been left out. For instance, she tells exactly what happened while being molested. I do not feel this is necessary. People know what molestation is and do not need it described in detail. In private, if she needed to talk about it with someone for her own healing process, then that is a different story. I personally don't see the point in describing every detail in written form. It is not helping one to capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5) I would not want someone to read this and suddenly have thoughts that they never had before or to rouse thoughts that have been now subdued, and thus sending temptation their way. That's why I say read it at your own discretion.
Gina did find hope. It took many and traumatic years, but God was there, and others cared, brought her to Jesus, and she, in turn is using her story to help others. This book has inspired me to write my own story.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for a review. I do not necessarily agree with the author's beliefs and did not care for some of the language used in some of the story. There were many aspects of the story that I found helpful. All opinions are my own.
For myself, I found that in many ways I could identify with the author, having experienced some trauma in my own life as a child and into my teen years. But on the other hand, I could not completely identify. Why? Gina was not raised in a Christian family, or a family who really cared and taught her the Truths of God. I was. Praise God! So many do not have that privilege. And though I did experience some trauma, I was blessed to have help in my early years. I had people in my life who cared, and I believe it brought me through that trauma more quickly than many, who like Gina were not as fortunate.
I would say read it at your own discretion. Personally, I think the author went into way too much detail on many points, details that could have been left out. For instance, she tells exactly what happened while being molested. I do not feel this is necessary. People know what molestation is and do not need it described in detail. In private, if she needed to talk about it with someone for her own healing process, then that is a different story. I personally don't see the point in describing every detail in written form. It is not helping one to capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5) I would not want someone to read this and suddenly have thoughts that they never had before or to rouse thoughts that have been now subdued, and thus sending temptation their way. That's why I say read it at your own discretion.
Gina did find hope. It took many and traumatic years, but God was there, and others cared, brought her to Jesus, and she, in turn is using her story to help others. This book has inspired me to write my own story.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for a review. I do not necessarily agree with the author's beliefs and did not care for some of the language used in some of the story. There were many aspects of the story that I found helpful. All opinions are my own.
March 28, 2021
Generations Deep is quite simply the most comprehensive body of writing about the topic of generational patterns that I've experienced. In the sharing of her own story Gina Birkemeier makes personal and relevant the science of epigenetics. In sharing her knowledge from years of clinical practice and study, she supports her page-turning narrative with the latest up-to-date brain science. Through the unique fusing of story with science, we are able to recognize the origins of our own patterns which have taken root in our own lives, for better or worse. Thankfully, Gina doesn't leave us with recognition without resolution. Instead, she gives practical help in addressing negative patterns and leads us toward wholeness. Without being heavy handed, Gina shares how faith has impacted her journey. She shows us the importance of people along the way. And she reminds us of the value of inviting a wise therapist into the process. Her story is one of healing and hope, forgiveness and restoration.
As a licensed therapist, that's my technical opinion. I can't wait to share this resource with my own clients. Personally, though, Gina's story impacted me profoundly, driving me deeper into my own story and bringing clarity to my own experiences. In the generous sharing of her story, this author pointed me toward wholeness for myself.
As a licensed therapist, that's my technical opinion. I can't wait to share this resource with my own clients. Personally, though, Gina's story impacted me profoundly, driving me deeper into my own story and bringing clarity to my own experiences. In the generous sharing of her story, this author pointed me toward wholeness for myself.
April 6, 2021
I wanted to read this book to understand trauma better and how it is passed from one generation to another. Having parented a child of inherited generational concerns. A child from a very hard place, who needed unconditional love, and support, and a connected loving worthy of trust family experience to heal. I saw the results first hand. Having read a pdf copy on my kindle, I can tell you that the first 70 percent of the book are the author's family story and experiences with a lot of dysfunctional family experiences, going back multiple generations, and her identifying it and seeing it repeat in her life. Each section of the book ends with Your Turn: Reflect. Engage. Write.
I wish the book had been in a totally different order, I found more value in reading the last 20-30 % of the book, and wished the positive learning, the hope for change, and the results of faith drew the author's life to a whole new pattern and life. To me, this is the aspect that had the most value for anyone.
The rest of the book was hearing the gory details (even edited, and marked as triggering) of the author's family experiences and stories. It sounds like it was cathartic for her to share all the layers of inherited and repeated experiences that cycled over and over in her families for generations. As one who recognizes that all people are sinful, broken people, this is getting stuck in a sin cycle. And without a saving faith and commitment to the Holy Spirit, nothing will change.
As a person with a family that broke dysfunction once faith and belief in the gospel became the core value. I could have had a summary, an explanation of how addiction, substance abuse, neglect, teen pregnancy are so easily repeated and continue to impact human beings over and over. But I felt like it was far more emphasis on the depth of what she had to overcome, and how many times it had been repeated. Almost giving anyone who has inherited similar patterns, pause and permission to continue to stick in the cycle or some unhealthy level of it. I know I am the minority and based on the early reviews of other readers- my rating is totally unique. But I'm going with the concept of 2 stars is the book was ok, 3 stars I like it, 4 stars I really liked it and 5 stars- It was amazing. I think there are better ways to grasp the impact of generational trauma and overcome it.
Thankful to partner with the author and read an early copy of the book.
I wish the book had been in a totally different order, I found more value in reading the last 20-30 % of the book, and wished the positive learning, the hope for change, and the results of faith drew the author's life to a whole new pattern and life. To me, this is the aspect that had the most value for anyone.
The rest of the book was hearing the gory details (even edited, and marked as triggering) of the author's family experiences and stories. It sounds like it was cathartic for her to share all the layers of inherited and repeated experiences that cycled over and over in her families for generations. As one who recognizes that all people are sinful, broken people, this is getting stuck in a sin cycle. And without a saving faith and commitment to the Holy Spirit, nothing will change.
As a person with a family that broke dysfunction once faith and belief in the gospel became the core value. I could have had a summary, an explanation of how addiction, substance abuse, neglect, teen pregnancy are so easily repeated and continue to impact human beings over and over. But I felt like it was far more emphasis on the depth of what she had to overcome, and how many times it had been repeated. Almost giving anyone who has inherited similar patterns, pause and permission to continue to stick in the cycle or some unhealthy level of it. I know I am the minority and based on the early reviews of other readers- my rating is totally unique. But I'm going with the concept of 2 stars is the book was ok, 3 stars I like it, 4 stars I really liked it and 5 stars- It was amazing. I think there are better ways to grasp the impact of generational trauma and overcome it.
Thankful to partner with the author and read an early copy of the book.
April 7, 2021
Bravo! Generations Deep (GD) does not sugar coat or oversimplify or over-spiritualize the path to healing from generational trauma. Author Gina Birkemeier doesn’t speak from the “cheap seats” and simply share generic data on trauma or therapies or generalized platitudes about faith about how to heal. Instead she vulnerably tells her own personal and repeated generational stories of familial dysfunction in order to shine a light on what dysfunctional patterns can look like. Because, as humans, we are moved by story. It’s what we can relate to. So it is through hearing her stories of repeated sorrow AND the winding road to healing ultimately leading to overwhelming redemption that we can begin to relate to our own stories and find hope and courage to heal and change.
The author bravely shares the multiple paths of her healing and teaches how they overlap. Birkemeier is clear that without mainstream therapy and faith alongside of “emotionally corrective experiences” her healing would be incomplete. And when I say faith, I mean genuine experiences with God and seeing Him work…. and not just by saying the “right” thing or having faith or believing Jesus or a Gospel message. Coming from a family that over-spiritualizes everything, I greatly appreciated her calling out the common grace that God gives to ALL PEOPLE for healing through mainstream therapy, because mainstream therapy works with the very ways God designed us. Selfishly, I would have loved to hear even more about the damage that over-spiritualizing and Nouthetic counseling can cause, but I can appreciate the author not trying to be too pointed. My own journey to healing had to take me away from generational over-spiritualized and over-simplified healing avenues and to mainstream therapies mentioned in the book. (Like EMDR, talk therapy, personal story writing, reading books on complex trauma, and finding healthier relationships) Just knowing the Gospel message and believing Jesus and desperately praying for breakthrough was problematic when a big part of my suffering came from the very people / environment who love God with their whole heart but never dealt with their own brokenness and hid it under a spiritual blanket of Christian “shoulds”. And guess what? It was God who orchestrated my healing through those mainstream therapies that honor our whole selves. And so, I greatly appreciated seeing the thread of the author’s faith (often in hindsight) woven clearly through the many avenues, types, and layers of healing she experienced.
The book crescendos with an almost unbelievable portion of redemption that I won’t share because I don’t want to spoil it for readers. But get ready, it is so unbelievable it seems only God could/would have orchestrated it.
Lastly, the author developed a resource with over 60 other therapists called The Expanded Trauma Perspective Questionnaire. This will be incredibly useful not only for therapists to help clients recognize often-missed trauma, but also for anyone wanting to understand their stories and begin working on their own trauma.
Generations Deep (GD) is a rich resource that reads like a redemptive saga married a therapy & faith book. GD challenges readers to brave the waters of reading the author’s personal story and unearth their courage to look at their own generational familial dysfunction and trauma to move towards healing and change for generations to come. Bravo!
The author bravely shares the multiple paths of her healing and teaches how they overlap. Birkemeier is clear that without mainstream therapy and faith alongside of “emotionally corrective experiences” her healing would be incomplete. And when I say faith, I mean genuine experiences with God and seeing Him work…. and not just by saying the “right” thing or having faith or believing Jesus or a Gospel message. Coming from a family that over-spiritualizes everything, I greatly appreciated her calling out the common grace that God gives to ALL PEOPLE for healing through mainstream therapy, because mainstream therapy works with the very ways God designed us. Selfishly, I would have loved to hear even more about the damage that over-spiritualizing and Nouthetic counseling can cause, but I can appreciate the author not trying to be too pointed. My own journey to healing had to take me away from generational over-spiritualized and over-simplified healing avenues and to mainstream therapies mentioned in the book. (Like EMDR, talk therapy, personal story writing, reading books on complex trauma, and finding healthier relationships) Just knowing the Gospel message and believing Jesus and desperately praying for breakthrough was problematic when a big part of my suffering came from the very people / environment who love God with their whole heart but never dealt with their own brokenness and hid it under a spiritual blanket of Christian “shoulds”. And guess what? It was God who orchestrated my healing through those mainstream therapies that honor our whole selves. And so, I greatly appreciated seeing the thread of the author’s faith (often in hindsight) woven clearly through the many avenues, types, and layers of healing she experienced.
The book crescendos with an almost unbelievable portion of redemption that I won’t share because I don’t want to spoil it for readers. But get ready, it is so unbelievable it seems only God could/would have orchestrated it.
Lastly, the author developed a resource with over 60 other therapists called The Expanded Trauma Perspective Questionnaire. This will be incredibly useful not only for therapists to help clients recognize often-missed trauma, but also for anyone wanting to understand their stories and begin working on their own trauma.
Generations Deep (GD) is a rich resource that reads like a redemptive saga married a therapy & faith book. GD challenges readers to brave the waters of reading the author’s personal story and unearth their courage to look at their own generational familial dysfunction and trauma to move towards healing and change for generations to come. Bravo!
March 24, 2021
I knew my momma had a “story” and from her story...mine was created. However, having two sons...I never thought my story would create their story. I’m here to tell you...you are creating the stories of those who come after you and you can also be the one to “alter” the narrative.
This book is an invaluable tool for therapist and readers, to discover they are not the only ones with stories of traumas and wounds that perhaps have not healed or maybe they will find, as I did when reading Gina’s book...they have wounds they didn’t even know existed. So many things came to light and made sense now.
I had a lot of moments in the book where I would catch a tear rolling down my face at the realization of something from my past now making sense today and why I felt certain emotions around past and present events in my life. The discovery of the stories that made me tick, things I had shrugged off in the past as "no big deal" have strong emotional triggers even today, that I didn't even realize. I came to the conclusion at the end of the book, there was a lot of my narrative that had never been dealt with and perhaps warrants conversation today. There was also a lot of realization that i had been able to change my "narrative" for my kiddos stories and I had a great feeling of accomplishment of the moments I navigated "correctly" so that those wounds are not as deep as they could have been and some have ended with me.
This book is an invaluable tool for therapist and readers, to discover they are not the only ones with stories of traumas and wounds that perhaps have not healed or maybe they will find, as I did when reading Gina’s book...they have wounds they didn’t even know existed. So many things came to light and made sense now.
I had a lot of moments in the book where I would catch a tear rolling down my face at the realization of something from my past now making sense today and why I felt certain emotions around past and present events in my life. The discovery of the stories that made me tick, things I had shrugged off in the past as "no big deal" have strong emotional triggers even today, that I didn't even realize. I came to the conclusion at the end of the book, there was a lot of my narrative that had never been dealt with and perhaps warrants conversation today. There was also a lot of realization that i had been able to change my "narrative" for my kiddos stories and I had a great feeling of accomplishment of the moments I navigated "correctly" so that those wounds are not as deep as they could have been and some have ended with me.
July 2, 2021
I picked this up after interviewing one of my uncle’s, who I’ve spoken to maybe twice in my life, ex wife. I’m writing a memoir/biography of my grandfather and without getting into the nitty gritty, drawing connections between him, the death of my mom, and all the fallout from that story that is still reverberating today. My estranged uncle’s ex wife responded to a letter I wrote to him and we ended up connecting (the ex wife) and then she told me her friend’s friend had written a book about generational trauma and I decided to check it out. Very convoluted but also rather serendipitous.
So I liked it. It’s a bit too Jesus-y for my rather agnostic self, but it’s also science based and brain based, so the Jesus stuff wasn’t too bad. I also liked how she called out some of the toxic crap that happens in fundy/evangelical Christian counseling.
I also loved what she said about healing through storytelling and that is definitely one of the reasons I write.
I really wish that she had actually written this as a literary memoir instead of a Christian self help book, though. Her story is fascinating and I think it speaks for itself. So not to berate the author for not writing the book that I wanted to read, but I didn’t really resonate with her “dear reader/fellow traveler” tone. The writing itself was what one would expect from Christian self help.
But generational trauma is a reality and if you don’t look at where you come from, you will repeat those same toxic patterns.
So I liked it. It’s a bit too Jesus-y for my rather agnostic self, but it’s also science based and brain based, so the Jesus stuff wasn’t too bad. I also liked how she called out some of the toxic crap that happens in fundy/evangelical Christian counseling.
I also loved what she said about healing through storytelling and that is definitely one of the reasons I write.
I really wish that she had actually written this as a literary memoir instead of a Christian self help book, though. Her story is fascinating and I think it speaks for itself. So not to berate the author for not writing the book that I wanted to read, but I didn’t really resonate with her “dear reader/fellow traveler” tone. The writing itself was what one would expect from Christian self help.
But generational trauma is a reality and if you don’t look at where you come from, you will repeat those same toxic patterns.
April 6, 2021
I was invited to read this pdf before it was released and I ordered the hard copy the day it was. Being a busy mom/grandma with enough on my plate, I almost passed on the chance to read but when I saw Gina’s quick interview about the book, that she wanted to write from a more “scientific” approach but her story wanted to be written from generations past.... I totally understood.
I had the privilege of reading from an already healed heart and from an understanding that my story started with my great grandmother. I appreciated reading Gina’s truths about how generations before us affect us.
My heart connected and hurt for Lucy, Marie, and Cathy and wished someone had been there , from the beginning, to help connect their dots for healing and then I was grateful to be able to cheer for the victories I read about.
Personally, I think it would be helpful if everyone’s stories were written out this way, traumatic or not.
I pray many are able to find the freedom through Jesus’ incredible help and therapy, to accept that generations before us did the best they knew how and like Gina, I pray the generations after us will
also have the grace and compassion to forgive our mistakes, and continue to break generational repeats.
I had the privilege of reading from an already healed heart and from an understanding that my story started with my great grandmother. I appreciated reading Gina’s truths about how generations before us affect us.
My heart connected and hurt for Lucy, Marie, and Cathy and wished someone had been there , from the beginning, to help connect their dots for healing and then I was grateful to be able to cheer for the victories I read about.
Personally, I think it would be helpful if everyone’s stories were written out this way, traumatic or not.
I pray many are able to find the freedom through Jesus’ incredible help and therapy, to accept that generations before us did the best they knew how and like Gina, I pray the generations after us will
also have the grace and compassion to forgive our mistakes, and continue to break generational repeats.
April 3, 2021
I found the book Generations Deep a fascinating read. The story of the author’s ancestry made me want to delve further into my own family history to uncover the patterns handed down to me across the generations, so many of which seemed to worsen as they were handed from grandparent, to parent to child. This book is a resource which I believe will help immensely in the hard work I am trying to do to recognize the frustrating and automatic, but often dysfunctional behaviors in my own life and turn them around before more damage is done to my own children. As an adoptive parent, Gina’s story has brought me to a greater understanding of some of the emotional struggles with which my adopted daughter might be contending. My hope is that through the lessons I’ve learned from Generations Deep, my children will become cycle-breakers, liberated from the mistakes handed down to their parents and enabled to build strong emotional legacies for themselves and their children, for generations to come.
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May 16, 2021This is a book that once you read it -- it stays in your head and gives one so much to explore in ourselves. It is a deep read -- meaning it makes you think about life, about God, about our upbring, about our ancestors. This book helped me realize there are reasons for who I am that come from my ancestors, and my upbringing that I had no idea played a part. It helped me start the process of really accepting ME.
I read Gina's story in stages. It is a story that is painful in many ways but one full of learning, hope, joy and wisdom--and how God works in our lives. I found I needed to process it in stages and the journaling throughout the book is a very helpful and a thoughtful tool. It felt like when I was having a hard time keeping up the opportunity to journal helped me stop and catch my breath before continuing on.
The different types of counseling are explained in the book and it is helpful to know the parameters for them and when choosing one to pursue.
I cannot recommend this book enough.
I read Gina's story in stages. It is a story that is painful in many ways but one full of learning, hope, joy and wisdom--and how God works in our lives. I found I needed to process it in stages and the journaling throughout the book is a very helpful and a thoughtful tool. It felt like when I was having a hard time keeping up the opportunity to journal helped me stop and catch my breath before continuing on.
The different types of counseling are explained in the book and it is helpful to know the parameters for them and when choosing one to pursue.
I cannot recommend this book enough.
June 25, 2021
This book was a intellectual delight to read. It starts with the authors generational story and then leads into her own story of trauma and hurt. Then transitions into understanding the scientific, spiritual, and therapeutic ways to heal from trauma. It has such a unique perspective on mental illness and spirituality that I think is so valuable to hear and understand.
The author portrays her genuine desire for individuals to reflect not only on their own trauma, but trauma that may have been experience by their parents/grandparents/great grandparents as a means to understand themselves better and start their true healing journey. "When we know better, we can do better."
I highly recommend everyone reading this book to help understand that how we grew up as children isn't just compartmental, but relates to how we react the rest of our lives. To realize what a big influence of how we were parented stay with us well into our adult years. Such a great read start to finish. You wont regret reading this book and I know it is going to stay in my library for a long time!!
The author portrays her genuine desire for individuals to reflect not only on their own trauma, but trauma that may have been experience by their parents/grandparents/great grandparents as a means to understand themselves better and start their true healing journey. "When we know better, we can do better."
I highly recommend everyone reading this book to help understand that how we grew up as children isn't just compartmental, but relates to how we react the rest of our lives. To realize what a big influence of how we were parented stay with us well into our adult years. Such a great read start to finish. You wont regret reading this book and I know it is going to stay in my library for a long time!!
March 25, 2021
I loved how Gina used her own story of generational trauma to help the reader process and possibly identify generational themes and patterns that may be present in their own family history. I found it thought provoking and her story well written! She provides questions at the end of each chapter that encourages the reader to think and journal.
Gina, a licensed professional counselor, is able to provide a well rounded point of view using her personal work on her story coupled alongside of her professional experience as a counselor. She goes the distance in even providing descriptions of the types of counseling that are available in case someone is desiring to continue the work that was initiated from her book. You will not leave empty handed!
Gina, a licensed professional counselor, is able to provide a well rounded point of view using her personal work on her story coupled alongside of her professional experience as a counselor. She goes the distance in even providing descriptions of the types of counseling that are available in case someone is desiring to continue the work that was initiated from her book. You will not leave empty handed!
April 1, 2021
An extremely powerful story, you do not want to miss this book. Gina uncovers the stories passed on through the generations in her family, and shows how patterns and trauma affect future generations. We all have things that we say or do, that we wish we didn't, and we wonder where it comes from. There is so much to learn from looking back into our families, so that WE can do better. Gina gives so much HOPE through her book and helps us see the good that comes from working through our own stories to help rewrite new ones in our current family. Through her professional counseling work and her own story work, Gina has SO much to offer in Generations Deep, that will profoundly affect our futures.
Want to read
January 23, 2025Rabbity recommendation for Trauma informed info.
Content warning from Ellen's review:
"I would say read it at your own discretion. Personally, I think the author went into way too much detail on many points, details that could have been left out. For instance, she tells exactly what happened while being molested. I do not feel this is necessary. People know what molestation is and do not need it described in detail. In private, if she needed to talk about it with someone for her own healing process, then that is a different story. I personally don't see the point in describing every detail in written form. It is not helping one to capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5)"
Content warning from Ellen's review:
"I would say read it at your own discretion. Personally, I think the author went into way too much detail on many points, details that could have been left out. For instance, she tells exactly what happened while being molested. I do not feel this is necessary. People know what molestation is and do not need it described in detail. In private, if she needed to talk about it with someone for her own healing process, then that is a different story. I personally don't see the point in describing every detail in written form. It is not helping one to capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5)"
April 6, 2021
One of the most impactful books I've ever read! This book combines family systems therapy, epigenetics, and faith to delve into ways we can heal and break cycles of dysfunction. It is not for the faint of heart, but it is so worth the work. This book is chock full of stories, insights and journaling opportunities, to help you think about why we behave the way we do. This is not just for people with dysfunction in their families. It is also an opportunity to see what has worked in your family, and what you may want to be more intentional about passing on to future generations. Highly recommend!
April 15, 2021
I saw this book and couldn’t wait to get the hard copy into my hands! The day or two it took to ship seemed like forever! Reading the authors raw and personal story made me feel like I knew her even better! I never had even thought of generational trauma before but after reading started to dive into my history as well. It’s so interesting to see some of the characteristics that are passed down and it makes me much more aware of what I could be passing down to my own children as well! I need to heal, be one with Christ and start the cycle of redemption right here and now. Anyway, read this book! You won’t regret it!
May 21, 2021
Reading Gina's story validated so much of my experience and allowed me to disconnect myself and my loved ones from their behaviors in a way that has been so freeing and healing. I haven't done all the writing exercises yet but I did them in my head and they were really helpful. I will go back and do all of them in a dedicated journal. So many stories have come up in my family naturally without me having to press much since starting to talk about the topic of generational trauma. The healing it has brought me in a short 2 weeks is already clearly spreading to others in my family.
Thank you Gina, you changed my life and the lives of generations to come.
Thank you Gina, you changed my life and the lives of generations to come.
July 13, 2021
Reading Generations Deep was equal parts captivating and informative. I laughed. I cried. I learned. I will apply. There aren't many books that weave together such a personal and meaningful story with accurate and up-to-date research, yet Gina did so in a masterful way. Not only am I better off personally for reading this book - I am also better equipped to help those who I will counsel in the future. Whether you're a new counseling student making your first jump into the world of (generational) trauma, a seasoned clinician looking to increase your knowledge with your experience, or someone who wants to take a next step in understanding your own story, this is the book for you.
October 12, 2022
I have to admit- I have about 2/3s of the book highlighted! It is a moving story -one that is hard to put down once you start. I think this is a subject everybody faces but most of us struggle to name it. Gina concisely explains hard scientific and theological concepts in a way that is understandable and relatable. There are so many amazing nuggets of wisdom that I ended up with over 20 pages of highlighted notes on my Kindle. By sharing her own story in a real and raw manner, I felt prepared to share my own story to help others in their own recovery journey. 10/10. Can't recommend it highly enough.
March 24, 2021
There are many things I could say about this amazing book, but “much needed” sums it up. Gina Berkemeier, a licensed professional counselor and speaker, vulnerably opens her own life story of generational trauma to help others learn to identify the patterns that have molded their own stories. The book contains self-help components throughout to allow the reader to process and navigate toward healing at their own pace. I was fortunate to have been able to read an advanced copy of the book, and I plan to purchase additional copies to use with my family as we take on this journey together.
March 25, 2021
This book is a truly remarkable glimpse into family dynamics and how those dynamics can unknowingly impact us. Gina has captured, in accessible and true-to-life stories, many of the relational and emotional struggles we all face at various parts of our journey. I was drawn in by the author's vulnerability in sharing some of deepest wounds and how God, in his timing, showed up to offer healing. I laughed out loud during parts of the story and cried several times in response to this beautiful picture of God's grace.
September 7, 2021
I highly recommend Generations Deep! I read it as a mental health counselor looking for a text that would speak to my clients. I found that I couldn’t put the book down! Gina does such a remarkable job of vulnerably telling her story and weaving in both helpful concepts for counseling and normalizing affirmation. I have since recommended the book to clients with remarkable results. It has given people further freedom to name the brokenness experienced in their families and stories and has equipped them with courage to ask difficult questions of their families and of themselves.
December 31, 2024
Over half of the book consists of the memoirs of the author's traumatic childhood and early adult years, concluding each chapter with questions for self-exploration. Then, it transitions to an introduction to trauma-informed surveys, such as ACEs, and therapy modalities. The author's tone is warm and personal, as though a friend was talking to you.
I found the author's lengthy development of her personal experience to be interesting, but not necessarily helpful in the context of this book as her childhood trauma differs from mine. Others may have a different response.
I found the author's lengthy development of her personal experience to be interesting, but not necessarily helpful in the context of this book as her childhood trauma differs from mine. Others may have a different response.
January 2, 2025
Listened on audio and the audio extras were so helpful. This was eye opening to how trauma from my past that I thought i had worked through still impact me. And how things we do not perceive as traumatic still have deep consequences in our future lives and those beyond. I like that she gives you trigger warnings before certain chapters and makes you feel cared for throughout the book. Also very good about explaining various types of therapy i had never heard of. All science backed, nothing wacko.I will definitely be getting the book and workbook.
March 30, 2021
Dynamic Read!
I loved this book! I believe this topic is incredibly important and dynamic.
This book is all about how understanding the traumas of previous generations can help us understand our own traumas caused by those generations but maybe more importantly it helps us understand our own actions and the root cause of those actions, therefore allowing us to shed shame and make changes so that we don’t continue the generational trends.
It’s a must read.
I loved this book! I believe this topic is incredibly important and dynamic.
This book is all about how understanding the traumas of previous generations can help us understand our own traumas caused by those generations but maybe more importantly it helps us understand our own actions and the root cause of those actions, therefore allowing us to shed shame and make changes so that we don’t continue the generational trends.
It’s a must read.
April 9, 2021
Not only trauma-informed, but also sharing about her own trauma-related healing journey, this author is both knowledgable and experienced. Generations Deep is well-written and insightful and I’m putting it on my website “recommended resources” page. I anticipate loaning and giving many copies as an aid to friends, family, and clients who are figuring out pieces of the generational contributions to their own stories.
September 1, 2021
Gina's book is a unique and page-turning combination of candor, vulnerability, humor, science, and anecdotes presenting evidence for the impact of generational trauma. You will laugh, cry, take notes, and probably decide to read it more than once. I'm so grateful for the game-changing work that Gina and people like her are doing in people's lives, particularly through this courageously, beautifully, and accessibly written must-read book.
March 28, 2021
I'm a counseling student and I had SO MUCH to learn from this book. The story is such a page-turner simply because her life events are so unreal at times. But it's so informational, she lets you know exactly what type of therapy you need for different issues you've experienced. And after reading it, I have a deeper appreciation for my own parents and what they've had to overcome.
April 16, 2021
Be ready to be wowed, amazed, loved, seen, connected too and transformed. Gina's book isn't just about her own powerful generational story...it's an invitation to see and understand your own.
You will walk away from reading this book with new lenses in how to see your history and those around you.
Polly Hamp: NLP Practioner & Trauma Recovery Coach
You will walk away from reading this book with new lenses in how to see your history and those around you.
Polly Hamp: NLP Practioner & Trauma Recovery Coach
April 27, 2021
I had the honor of reading an advance digital copy. Wonder balance of how all generation trauma can be had and how to go thru it, recognize it, heal etc. also stories and raw vulnerability. Highly suggest for anyone. Great compassion and empathy and reality.
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