Reviews from Amazon 

The book really exceeded my hopes for value regarding its subject. The author offers a balanced mix of personal stories of his own awakening process and valuable insights. I'm finding the book empowering, particularly through the guided discovery processes included in each chapter. One thing that distinguishes this author is his in depth understanding of the Authentic Self. I come away from each chapter experiencing a bit more spaciousness and expansion.

I'll be leveraging this book as a resource for many years to come. Highly recommend.

~ Gregory Vahanian, MA

As a therapist and one who has read many profound books, I was not expecting to be so inspired, and informed as I was after reading "The Real You." Gavin's relating of his own journey along with his selection of poetry and his profound insights moved me to my core.

This book can be used in many venues, such as an adjunct to therapy, or as a study book for groups, or simply to touch and assist you in embracing moments of truth on your own journey.

~ Sally Clark, MFT

This book was a journey for me. Over the time that I read it and savored its reflective and deep practical wisdom, I experienced authentic inner healing and shifting. The invitations for discovery presented me with skills that I have found extremely valuable and continue to use. Gavin bravely shares his intimacy in a way that moves and heals and I'm grateful for him crystalizing so much substance and so many true lessons into this book.

~ Oshri Hakak

Loved it! In this book, Gavin Frye shares the wisdom that he has learned from years of education, training, and teaching and counseling other people. Gavin encourages us to live our life according to our authentic self and he masterfully demonstrates HOW to do that by sharing (sometimes vulnerable!) stories from his own life. I could read a million more life stories. You won’t regret reading this book. I hope Gavin writes more!!

~ Kelly McNelis

If you're looking for a book that can help you reframe how you see yourself and others, you need to get yourself a copy stat.

This book was written with such ease and eloquence.

The personal stories from Gavin alone provide infinite insight into powerful life lessons. Then he brings in his decades of experience as a spiritual teacher and licensed therapist to really identify how to live an authentic life.

It's one of those books you underline every other sentence and keep by your bedside for constant reference.

I highly recommend this read.

~ Sam Shaw

This is beautiful book, filled with well-written short stories of the author's life. These stories are inspiring, instructive, and memorable. After most of the stories is a suggested exercise for how you can also harvest the experiences of your own life for personal growth. Highly recommended!

~ George Kao

 I would strongly encourage anyone interested in self-development, spirituality and psychology to grab a copy of “The Real You” by Gavin Frye, former faculty member of the University of Santa Monica. “The Real You” is breathtaking in its scope and wisdom, combining the author’s personal stories with profound insights, and capped by useful suggestions on how to deal with a myriad of life issues.

Gavin shares his journey with the reader in an honest and heartfelt way: a brother imprisoned for murder who undergoes a spiritual transformation, an addict sister who experiences a metamorphosis, a cancer-stricken father who graces Gavin with his unconditional love and caring. Gavin writes openly about divorce, relocation and more, with grace and self-revelation.

But “The Real You” is more than personal memoir – it is a book filled with valuable and important teachings for the reader. Here are a few memorable sentences that leapt out at me:
• “By honoring ourselves, by becoming our own most avid advocate and best friend, we anchor the quality of inner nobility.”
• “Life’s painful experiences are not designed to make us suffer, but to crack us open.”
• “Courageous conversations are vulnerable because they involve entering the unknown.”

And a few topics that touched me deeply: “The Power of Change,” “The Power of Apology,” and “The Nature of Emerging Truth.” I imagine you will find certain phrases and chapters that touch you deeply, too.

I highly recommend “The Real You” to the real you, certain you will be grateful for Gavin’s sagacity and the hard-fought knowledge he has gained through life experience and his decades of work as a therapist counseling hundreds, perhaps thousands, of grateful clients.

~ Seth C. Kadish, PhD