Joan E. Childs, LCSW has been a psychotherapist since 1978. She is a clinical social worker, specializing in couple's therapy, codependency, inner child work, original pain work, and second-stage recovery. Joan was the first affiliate of the John Bradshaw Center in the United States. She is a certified master practitioner for neuro-linguistic programming, EMDR master practitioner, grief counselor, hypnotherapist, PAIRS leader, life coach, and inspirational speaker. Joan is the author of The Myth of the Maiden: On Being a Woman and Why Did She Jump? My Daughter's Battle with Bipolar Disorder, which is presently in preproduction for a film. Joan has authored hundreds of blogs at www. joanechilds. com and magazines, such as The Huffington Post. She has appeared on national radio and television programs, including The Oprah Winfrey Show.