Alice G. Miller, PhD, began training as a psychotherapist long before attending college. She found her first mentor as a child: her maternal grandmother, Bobbie. Forced to stay in the family den whenever Miller's abusive and controlling father was home, Bobbie turned her room into a sanctuary for the young girl. Though she did not realize it at the time, Miller received her first lessons in psychotherapy while observing the complex relationships of her family and during the time she spent with Bobbie. "From Bobbie I learned what it means to be heard without judgment, so that the pain becomes bearable and new ways to live begin to emerge," Miller writes in her personal memoir, On Becoming a Swan. The author also shares how the other sanctuaries in her life—the church and gardening—have influenced her life and led her toward a career in psychotherapy. Fans of Anne Lamott's works will enjoy this book, as both authors combine a deep spirituality with an irreverent sense of humor, and so will those who admire Mitch Albom, with whom Miller shares the ability to recognize the value and humanity of others.