Healing Seven Generations: A Multigenerational Memoir

The impetus for my multigenerational healing journey began when I slid into a deep depression in 1971 at the age of 32. The inspiration for this book came to me in July 2017 as I was standing with my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in Schwabisch-Hall, Germany, at the address where my paternal great-grandparents had lived, and where my paternal grandfather was born and raised. My story is about family roots of my depression and family resources for healing. I unearthed burdens and blessings passed generation to generation in my father's and mother's lineages that were consequential in my life and the lives of my siblings and offspring. I set about revitalizing and reconciling relationships by honoring and activating blessings passed forward, giving voice to those formerly silent, searching the vulnerabilities behind hurtful actions and deprivations, and forgiving, freeing creative love, now, for those who have been, are and will be. Douglas W. Schoeninger, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, licensed in Pennsylvania, and practicing in Coatesville, PA, USA. He integrates spirituality, attunement to the Holy Spirit, and prayer as healing resources within a Contextual Therapy perspective. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a PhD in clinical psychology in 1965. He trained in Client Centered Therapy with Carl Rogers, and Contextual Therapy with Ivan Boszormenyi-Nagy and Barbara Krasner. He is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA), the Pennsylvania Psychological Association (PPA) and the Association of Christian Therapists (now called ACTheals). He is the father of two, grandfather of four and great-grandfather of two.