Shadow Work: Face Hidden Fears, Heal Trauma, Awaken Your Dream Life

by Danielle Massi

Shadow work is the act of facing the darkest part of our psyche to unlock our full potential and discover true self-love.

This powerful technique has helped countless patients achieve what traditional therapy could not. Danielle Massi is a licensed mental health therapist who specializes in this practice, and she is the perfect guide for diving deep into the unconscious.
Diagnosed with cervical cancer before her thirtieth birthday, Massi resolved to study the effects of the mind on the body. With the knowledge that chronic stress is a leading cause of disease, she focused on developing techniques to help her patients access their unconscious—the part of our mind that is the body’s mechanism for repressing information that is possibly too intense for the psyche. When unchecked, this shadow side of our consciousness builds up over time and can create a domino effect of consequences in our physical body. When we work with the shadow, we free ourselves from a recurring trauma response and can rewire the brain for mind and body health, ease, and abundance.
Massi’s in-depth instruction provides a framework for breaking down the root causes of trauma and learning how to prevent self-sabotage. With an engaging, inviting, and authoritative voice, she provides an essential guide to recreating life on your terms. 
 

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Mental Health, Psychology

192 pages, Hardcover

Published September 20, 2022

Reviews

[Alexa Esperanza · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was pretty much a beginner’s guide to shadow work. It encourages the reader to interrogate their thoughts patterns and the way they view themselves. I liked the scientific aspects of this book however, the misappropriation and white washing of South Asian religious concepts like Karma and Chakras irked me. Overall an okay read but I probably won’t recommend to anyone seriously wanting to learn about shadow work in depth.

[Rachel Wrubel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was awful. I had expected a well-researched book about trauma, shadow work, and how to work with a trained professional to deal with trauma. I got a collection of pseudoscience and esotericism. Past lives? Check. Spirit guides? Check. Manifesting? Check. I only gave it two stars because there were a couple good journal prompts and the author seems like a kind, well-meaning person, so I felt bad giving it one star.

[bridget · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like this book was trying very hard to be a definitive guide rooted in psychology and science, but mostly functioned as a memoir/autobiography. Womp

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for a book to help navigate through your own personal shadow work then you should definitely pick up this book.

I received an audiobook ARC from the publisher and really loved listening to this. I just focused on what the narrator said. This helped me absorb the material. The exercises were explained and I definitely want to go back and work on these.

I'll be picking up a physical copy of this book to work through later.

Thank you so much to the author and Hachette Audio for this audio ARC to review.

[Cicily · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you loved the book than great! I am all for people reading for enjoyment and spiritual growth! However, I purchased this book hoping that it wouldn't be a New Age take on Shadow Work and more Jungian focused because it was written by an LMFT. I was sadly mistaken. The book was written in first person experiences from the writer with very few mindfulness or written practices for the reader to try. One of the practices (the ego exercise in the back of the book) is just re-worded affirmation exercises. Most of the language is directive with no explanation as to how this can help. I am also a therapist and to discuss accessing traumatic memories without little to no coping skills can really do psychological harm to people and I believe it to be irresponsible. I have no real problem with the spirituality components and have a vague understanding of shadow work, but felt this book lacked substance, depth, or research to support any claims outside of her own experiences. I also find it interesting that she is using her professional title, however, at one point in the book she said she doesn't view herself as a therapist but a healer. This makes me wonder if her using her professional title was a strategy to sell more books.

[Shirley Andrade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Healing From Within

Danielle Massi provides background information on Shadow Work and explains why she began her journal on this topic, which was the fact that she had previously been diagnosed with cervical cancer the week before her thirtieth birthday. She states that her book Shadow Work is a book about using the power of the unconscious mind to unlock our potential. The shadow (also known as the unconscious) is a mechanism of the brain designed to repress information that is potentially too intense for the psyche. When it goes unchecked, the shadow builds up continually over time, creating a domino effect of negative consequences within the mind and body. Because this process is unconscious, it’s hard to trace the consequences back to the root cause within the shadow. This unconscious material weighs us down and causes us to act out emotionally, behaviorally, and mentally. By entering the shadow, we can begin the healing work desperately needed to create coherence between all aspects of the self, allowing us to feel lighter, embodied, and free.

Further, the author states that she began doing extensive research on the unconscious mind, and during this search, she found that chronic stress is the number one cause of disease, including cancer, and she knew she had to start unpacking what unconscious material might have caused her body to create an environment where cancer could thrive.

The author states that after practicing shadow work for several years, she made a discovery: shadow work is the missing link in the manifestation process.

She discusses several aspects of exploring our subconscious, in terms of how we handle trauma and things that negatively affect our shadow/subconscious. She discusses techniques we can use to relieve stress, such as meditation, working with our spirit guides, ways to create balance, and various other techniques.

The author states that we should dive into our shadow self and recreate life on our terms. This is a good read for anyone going through a difficult time, whether it be anxiety, depression, or even a form of disease or sickness, who just want to balance their energy and life.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book! It definitely incorporates a lot of different elements of new age spirituality including spirit guides, the common use of spirit animals, the belief in past lives, the Akashic records and more. Because I am a very open minded spiritual seeker, I was more intrigued than put off, but I can see how some people might feel there are a lot of different spiritual beliefs you have to sort of buy into in order to get the most out of this book.

I personally love shadow work. I have a shadow work journal, help my coaching clients with shadow work integration, and continue to love learning about it. I love and believe in manifestation, nervous system regulation required for manifestation, and the power of meditation. The author explained it well!

This book was recommended by someone I really admire, and I’m glad I enjoyed this on audio. Super interesting, magical, and inspiring.

[Jillian Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading other reviews, I acknowledge I got what I need but for many this book does not have all of the answers and misses in places many need. I remind myself when reading that no one book or human can provide all that's needed for where every person is on their journey. So if you read it, take from it what you can/want and seek more if it doesn't cover what you need.

There are definitely aspects written from privilege and in a short format white washing clearly happened. So if you are interested after reading this, learn more. I'm going to work at it and take both reviews from therapists and this book and do what I can with it. Encourage you to do the same if you have the ability and resources to do so. If you don't have the resources, recognize this book may not be the right help for you.

[Stephanie Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a good introduction to shadow work. I wasn't expecting to hear about past lives and spirit guides, honestly (maybe I didn't read the description before starting the book lol), but I was impressed by how the author flawlessly incorporated the more "woo woo" concepts (quantum realm, etc.) with scientific and research-based studies, pairing both in the healing of the shadow. It was incredibly educational in regards to the workings of the brain and it's response to trauma. I was impressed and sad it was so short. If anything, I feel like there may have been more to say.

[Bridget · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm still thinking about this book. I haven't done any of the exercises within it. There are some concepts that I relate to and find value in. Others as they relate to reincarnation that I think are pretty far out there. Healing wounds in your past lives in different cultures and times seems a bit like cultural appropriation or something like that.

I think doing ancestral healing work is more focused and and has more value for the here and now rather than reincarnation. That said, if this type of work brings value to someone's life then it's probably a good thing.

[T · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t know how to feel about this book?

First half had me feeling like yes, this makes sense… then it didn’t? You mean to tell me I have to heal trauma from a thousand or more previous lifetimes? 😩 It’s never going to end.

So yes, it’s shadow work from a spiritual perspective. I was fascinated enough to finish the whole book because it seems like lovely things to believe in. Maybe I’m turning?

[John Hardy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was looking for a book that might help me explore this topic, as I am new to the idea. It was completely useless in that respect. The author recounted some of her own experiences, such as how she marvellously was able to design a new house. Wow. She also managed to connect with spirits to get life guidance. That was it for me. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone no matter what their level of knowledge.
Rating 0.5.

[Shanna Oskin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was hoping for some tips on identifying and breaking unhealthy thought patterns. Instead, I got a book on angels, clairvoyance, and past lives bolstered by some hand waving at quantum physics. Just a potpourri of new age woo woo veiled behind a thin claim to science.

Embarrassed to have this on my Read shelf but you can learn from my mistakes.

[Amaris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt skepticism arise at certain points, but I maintained an open mind and I’m very glad I did. I’m really grateful I read this because I wasn’t aware of the concept of shadow work until now. The author is doing her earnest best to introduce the reader to the subject and provide guiding prompts. I recommend this one for those who are open-minded and wanting to do their own healing work.

[alex · Rating 1 out of 5]

Massi claims not doing shadow work gave her cancer (??), which shows the level of logic and amoral mysticism we’re working with. Jungianism is a cult and stuff like this isn’t helping their case. But huge win for fans of self mythologization and guru worship. Just be self obsessed and pseudo intellectual without paying $1000 a month on fake therapy! But fr though go read a real book.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

For all the times I’ve brought a crystal to work with me in my pocket, there’s also a time I’ve rolled my eyes at someone going a bit “too out there” with the spirtual stuff. This skepticism about the unseen and unproven means I can sometimes be resistant to concepts like spirit guides or the quantum realm. Shadow Work begins with a section called “The Overlap of Science and the Soul” that really helped explain what shadow work actually is and how it relates to what we do know about the brain and trauma. I can truly say this section of the book helped me finally get a grasp on the understanding of shadow work that previously eluded me.

This grounding in science and research carries through the book even into the more challenging (for me) concepts, which I really appreciated. For instance, Massi writes about how generational trauma shows up in gene expression across generations as she speaks about healing ancestral wounds. In a book full of concepts that I personally still struggle to buy into, this approach was essential in keeping me invested in the reading experience and learning more about these ideas.

The book’s emphasis on healing in order to step into your best and fullest self was another key factor I enjoyed. This is not the kind of self-help book that pumps you up without being real. Shadow work is deep, heavy stuff that forces you to confront what’s holding you back, which gives the book an inspirational but realistic vibe I appreciated.

Massi uses just the right amount of personal narrative to show the reader how the practices she teaches in the book have worked for her personally and shown up in her life. You know I love a book that blends research and teaching with personal narrative, but it is a difficult balance to strike. In Shadow Work, it is done effectively and helps to illustrate concepts that might otherwise feel difficult to grasp.

In all, this book really got me thinking and is a great tool for reflection and growth.

(Full disclosure: I received a review copy of this title from the author in exchange for my honest review.)

My full review appears on my blog, Your Book Friend.

[Eleaca Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of the information I was already familiar with. She filled in some gaps and also left me asking more questions. With that said, I really did enjoy it. I would recommend it to those who are interested in knowing more about shadow work.

[jewelthinks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a must read for anyone delving into shadow work. It addressed a number of topics that I didn’t realize were connected to shadow work. This book is great for people who have been to therapy and have already done lots of reading about how to improve themselves.

[Lauryn Clemmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟
Good intro book about shadow work.
Made me want to dive in a little deeper. I love the aspect of loving all parts of yourself. I listened to the audiobook and didn’t try the exercises, but I think they would be helpful to come back to!

[₊˚⊹ L I L L Y ₊˚⊹ · Rating 5 out of 5]

My boyfriend and I read this book together!
It’s very informative and has a lot of shadow work exercises to try out! I will be rereading this again in the near future!

[Miriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good introduction to different types of shadow work.

[Kristin Ransom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio

[Diana · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was a little too much “let me tell you all about myself and my own journey,” not enough “here’s how I can help you on your own journey.”

[Joel McKoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Limited info on Shadow work. A bunch of other stuff on Spirit guides and manifesting.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started out normal, then took a left turn into past lives and manifestation. No thanks.

[Nette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Face hidden fears, heal trauma, and awaken your dream life by Danielle Massi. Licensed mental health specialist specializes in the practice of Shadow Work.
A wonderful introduction to shadow work. A term that we are currently seeing a lot of via social media platforms. Which intrigued me to read and review this book. Danielle Massi, created Shadow Work to also be a journal. With prompts to guide you on your own Shadow Work journey.

The benefit of seeing how the author came to learn and practice shadow working is important. It is helpful that the person recommending you to do something has also used it to heal themselves and navigate some difficult situations. That is what you find with this book, Shadow Work. You are guided into developing techniques to access your subconscious and learn about yourself. Providing you with tools to heal and uncover more about yourself than you could ever imagine possible.

Using Shadow Work and doing the work following the advice of Massi will help you create and curate your life on your terms.

[Cameron Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my honest opinion, it was a good Self Help book. If it was the first one that I read then it would be a 5 star book. Massi does a great job and throughly explaining traumas and how we has humans may encounter these traumas through our life.

I appreciated the examples she gave after each telling of a trauma. Which is characterized by the dark gray shadowed areas. Sometimes I felt as though the book dragged on as Messi was detailing how to work through the traumas. But that might have been just me.