Psychologist Dr. Edward Dreyfus Blends Autobiography With Fiction in New Book The Midnight Shrink

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif., May 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on Dr. Edward Dreyfus' fifty years as a practicing clinical psychologist, The Midnight Shrink (www.docdreyfus.com/books/) is partially autobiographical. The book was inspired by the author's personal history growing up on the streets of New York, as well as his career as a clinical and forensic psychologist in Los Angeles.

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The protagonist, Dr. Edminson was born in the poorest section of the South Bronx.  Through his relationship with his grandfather, he felt deeply for the marginalized people of New York and made telling their story his life's work. He estranged himself from his conventional parents, relocated to Los Angeles, and continued his unconventional lifestyle, working on skid row at night while the rest of the world slept. In the book, Dr. Edminson notes that, "[c]ontrary to the image of being the home of the beautiful people, the Academy Awards, and tinsel town, Los Angeles had a dark underbelly." He joined his two best friends, a homicide detective and an ER physician, also NY transplants - the cop, the doc, and the shrink – in a collective effort to make a difference in the lives of the disenfranchised, invisible people, who live by night.

"I wanted to make the people who live on the street, the homeless, the addicts, and the people who work by night visible. I wanted to tell their story and that of the psychologist who treats them. Their common humanity is greater than their differences," said Dr. Dreyfus.

Similar to the protagonist, Dr. Dreyfus (http://www.docdreyfus.com/books/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Books-MediaKit-Dreyfus.pdf) has spent his career as a social activist, seeking social justice, and as an advocate for the underdog. The characters in the book are composites of patients and other people known to the author. He spent many years working with disenfranchised people, incarcerated felons, drug addicts, homeless people, and ex-convicts, hearing their stories and learning about their lives. Each has a story to tell.

"Personally, I hope that my legacy would be that people remember me for having made a difference in the lives of others, family, friends, clients or patients, and to my community. I would like to be remembered for having lived a life of integrity, where I walked the talk, that I was sincere in my intent and committed in my actions."

All of the royalties from book sales go to charity. All of his books deliver a powerful psychological message. By visiting his website and buying his books you not only help others, but you will help yourself as well: www.docdreyfus.com/books If you visit his Amazon book page, you will be able to "see inside" each of his books: www.edwardadreyfus.net.

About the Author:

Dr. Dreyfus was born and raised in New York City where he attended grade school, high school and college. He received his doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Kansas in 1964 when he moved to California. He holds licenses in psychology and marriage and family therapy, and is a certified sex therapist. He also practices as a life coach. He is currently in private practice in Santa Monica, California. Dr. Dreyfus has published eight books, many professional articles and book chapters, presented at professional conferences, appeared on television and radio, and has often been quoted in State and national publications. He is listed in Who's Who in America. www.docdreyfus.com

"Someone asked me why did I switch from writing nonfiction psychological books to writing novels and screenplays.  I replied that I wanted to find another way to deliver the same psychological message perhaps to a broader audience; some people learn by exposition while others learn from visualization and allegory - the message is the same."

Dr. Dreyfus has published five nonfiction books and three novels focused on psychological issues confronted by most people in their journey toward maximizing their potential and living a fulfilling life. In 2013 he switched to writing fiction based on his fifty years as a practicing psychologist. In addition to his novels, he has written five screenplays.

He and his wife of thirty years lives in a Pacific Palisades, a suburb of Los Angeles, with their dog, Charlie, where he writes, enjoys vegan cooking, woodworking, and photography.

Contact:
Edward A. Dreyfus, Ph.D.
Email
310-208-5700
www.docdreyfus.com

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SOURCE Dr. Edward Dreyfus