Dr Toula Gordillo

Shadows of Sylvaheim is a brilliant book. On its face, an fantasy story – sometimes intensely confronting – about how teenagers cope with life stresses that are both personal and contextual. But beneath, a lesson in the value of mythic worlds to assist overcoming life’s challenges. Toula Gordillo is a gripping writer and also a clinical psychologist, courageous enough to step outside her professional space to demonstrate the power of her conviction in the uses of Jungian psychology through this accessible and persuasive story.

This is an adventure novel set in a fantasy world with great characters that teens, parents and adults can relate to. The journey of the characters, the challenges they face are like every teenager faces in day to day life. Dr Gordillo, with her knowledge of Jungian pyschology has written a fantastic mythical story which has psychological concepts woven through that the reader acknowledges and relates to in their own lives. The story inspires the reader to think about their own situations and gives tools on how to deal with these situations. I think everyone who reads this book will find something that relates to them and will come out the other end with a feeling of hope and inspiration. I highly recommend it.

I am very grateful for the help and support I received from Toula earlier in the year and am enjoying the ongoing strength I take from reviewing her advice on the many issues we discussed. I enjoyed her recent publication aimed at young adults and have ordered her original text.I wish her every success in the very real contribution she is making to her community and abroad.Nola McCann.

As a writer of young adult fantasy books for more than 20 years, I am conscious of how stories influence young adults. My school-age readers have told me how they see themselves in the roles of the heroes and villains, how they recognise themselves in the feelings and actions, in the friendships, the families, the loves, the losses, and the ideals these stories convey.Dr Toula Gordillo has created a wonderful novel in Sylvaheim. It's a book filled with adventure and history and subliminal advice. I wish this book had been around when I was a shy and anxious teen.An exceptional novel, especially for young adults.

Shadows of Sylvaheim by Doctor Toula Gordillo is a thrilling mythical adventure where legends use supernatural powers in their attempts to combat evil.The reader is drawn into many fantastical realms (worlds within worlds) only to discover that these places represent distinct levels of consciousness.While this teen novel has been compared to Lewis’ The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, it also acts as a tool for teens to reflect on the modern world they live in and predominately themselves.I’d recommend this book to any age group that has a penchant for mythical adventure fantasy and self-help books.

A lovingly written mythological book that provides hope and direction for anyone – especially young people - who are being challenged by inner forces and responses to life. And of course, a great story. And using a great story and engaging situations Toula introduces fundamental and important psychological ideas in a very accessible manner. While aimed at helping young people the story and underlying psychology is valuable to all ages.Wonderfully, the book has the potential to help young people feel less alone in their challenges. The mythological approach can even help lift one above the mundane immediate challenge and see they are facing a universal challenge, and that every even small step they take with awareness, is a step that helps not only themselves but can benefit everyone.

Dr Gordillo (Toula), is an exceptional clinical psychologist. Toula has developed Story Image Therapy (SIT) which has proven to be extremely beneficial for her clients of all ages. Her authenticity and concern, along with her years of experience, becomes evident when supporting people through difficult situations.

As the issues surrounding youth mental health become more evident worldwide, Dr. Gordillo's innovative approaches to engaging with Young Adults through the use of mythic story telling is both clear and clever.Not only does the book serve a theraputic purpose but it can also stand alone as an engaging YAF fantasy novel following the adventures of two mid-teen characters Jack and Emily who battle a number of natural and supernatural opponents along their journeys.The prose is clear and colurful and illustrates possible different ways that the characters can overcome their foes. But which is the best way to win the battles that befall them?I would highly recommend this book to readers from 12 - 18, especially if they are struggling with how to cope at home, school or entering the workforce. It will be useful to older adults especially if they have teenagers entering these challenging years.