Debra Silverman has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology & Dance from York University and a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University. Over the past 40 years of professional experience and private practice, she has specialized in helping thousands of individuals achieve emotional health and wisdom based on their unique personality and the four elements: water, air earth, and fire. Her work with families, individuals, and couples has her standing out in a sea of therapists and coaches. She has taught at the internationally renowned Esalen Institute, and her work has taken her around the globe, practicing and lecturing in places like New York, Los Angeles, London, Vancouver, Seattle and Boulder, Colorado, where she now lives. In her book “The Missing Element: Inspiring Compassion for the Human Condition,” Debra Silverman describes human nature in a compassionate and concise way. 

“The Missing Element” begins with a Prologue where Debra Silverman explains that with all the problems going on in the world today, it may seem like an impossible task to try and create change for the better. The best way to do it? “….global change begins at home. We heal one person at a time, and we start with ourselves.” In her opinion, the best way to do this is to become familiar with the Four Elements as they pertain to us and to become an Observer and stand back and make changes by “altering the way you see and live your own story.” She writes that we are all made of four basic elements – Water, Air, Earth, and Fire and when we are in pain, it is because the elements are out of balance. Her goal in writing this book is teach readers about the different elements and how to reflect on their personality to be able to distinguish which parts are out of balance and use the Observer in themselves to experience life without judgement. Most importantly, the author wants everyone to use this knowledge to show more compassion towards other people and understand why they behave a certain way. Once she describes why the earth and humanity is in trouble and what makes up the Observer, the rest of the book is divided into the Four Elements: a description, how to work with each one, and the differences between men and women of each element.

By combining psychology and astrology, Debra Silverman provides readers with a deeper insight into personality traits based on the Four Elements. Her compassion for helping people shines through every page and her use of simple and easy to understand language keeps it all within reach. Even for readers who are not into astrology, her life advice is spot on; for example: her stance on how every time we experience pain, we have the option to either learn our lesson and change or repeat the story again and again. Her teachings come from the vantage point of “The Elders” and her attempts to help others accept themselves along the path of self-improvement. After she describes each element in terms of personality traits (in the first person point of view), she shows readers how to work with each to improve their lives and the lives of others. All this information is based on the Wisdom of the Elders who, based on different cultures, used the Four Directions, the Four Elements, the Four Noble Truths, and the Four Worlds to navigate life. It may not be for everyone, but “The Missing Element” by Debra Silverman is an inspiring guide to getting to know ourselves better and in turn reaching out to others and helping the planet.  It is recommended for readers who appreciate self-help books with a strong foundation on astrology, metaphysics, and psychology.

“The elders of the American Indian and Chinese cultures looked seven generations ahead as they made their decisions. We have neglected such wisdom, living more from what will make us happy today, rather than what will bring peace to our great-great-grandchildren and their grandchildren.”

*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.