Dr. Mimi Amaral – California Author and Journalist

It’s nice to catch up with you, Dr. Mimi Amaral. It has been a while since we spoke. What is new with you?

Well, first I’d like to thank you Steve for the opportunity to be interviewed by Splash Magazine, and I’m very excited to get back to my journalists endeavors by writing for Splash Magazine again. As you know since 2010, I had been walking with my parents and taking care of them through sickness and the end-of-life process; dad passed in 2013 and mom passed last year in 2023. I’m grateful that I was able to take the time to be by their side during each of their journeys.

From 2010 until current day, I have been working on completing my doctoral program in Clinical Psychology, writing five books, that hit Amazon #1 Best Sellers List, and attaining employment as a Psychological Associate and IVF Specialist with the Maternal Health Program at Harbor Psychiatry & Mental Health, Newport Beach.

In fact, this past May 2024 my book: Alternative Conception: From Infertility to Delivery was placed in the swag/gift bags at the Seeds Ethics Convention held in Colorado. I feel very blessed to have been accepted to represent not only my book, but Harbor Psychiatry & Mental Health as well. I have been invited to return for Seed Ethics fall conversation in San Diego in November. Additionally, I aspire to expand my specialty at some point to include the end-of-life process and highlight another book I wrote: Death: Before & After, A Survivors Guide. While I was walking with my father through his cancer battle toward death; I knew nothing. So, I sat down and wrote a book that discusses every aspect one may encounter during the process; with anonymous testimonials sharing experiences of others who have gone through the process as well.

You mentioned you wrote five books. Can you share when you started writing the books and the titles of each?

Yes, Steve, thank you for asking. While taking care of my mom full-time during her medical journey and end-of-life process I began writing each of the books. First was Bright Lights, Dark Shadows: The Shadow Side of Celebrity and Fame, published July 2018, which was based off a petition for an aspired division.

Entertainment Psychology and my doctoral dissertation; the second book was titled: Emasculated: Men Are Abused Too, published September 2018; the third was Death Before & After: A Survivors Guide, published October 2019; the fourth was Lurking in the Dark: Reality of The Times, published August 2020; and the fifth was Alternative Conception: From Infertility to Delivery, published March 2021. Bright Lights, Dark Shadows: The Shadow Side of Celebrity and Fame: This book delves into the shadow side (unspoken aspects) of celebrity and fame for entertainers and athletes. One may think being in the world of entertainment and sports is a dream come true, but is it? The hidden truths are exposed and explored within. The author leads you through the possible subjective reality and brings to life the unique issues that entertainers and athletes face in their industries. The author leads you through the possible subjective reality and brings to life the unique issues that entertainers and athletes face in their industries. Subjects covered, but not limited to, are: Lifestyle Risks (e.g., loneliness and isolation, anxiety, depression, acute decomposition, drugs, and death); Lack of Personal Space (e.g., para-social relationships, worship, obsession, stalking, and paparazzi); Fall from Grace (e.g., ageism, plastic surgery, type casting, coming out, and child stars); Observation and Integration (e.g., Advocacy); Shadow to Light (e.g., fast forward to present day) Emasculated: Men Are Abused Too: This book illustrates the shadow side of abuse by providing several firsthand accounts of men who survived abuse. For there to be a shift in the way we perceive abuse and who can perpetrate it, we must understand where our beliefs about gender, gender ideals, and gender roles come from in order to comprehend how men can be abused in many of the same ways a woman can

When we discuss toxic relationships or relationship abuse, we expect to hear stories of women
being abused and mistreated by their male partners. This is because we hold the belief
that men are strong, aggressive, violent, and controlling, and women are soft, physically
weak, nurturing, and loving. This has led us to the shadow attribute that men cannot be
abused, and if they are, then they are less of a man. Death: Before & After, A Survivors Guide: Within some cultures, the process of death—before, during, and after—is not commonly or freely discussed. With great care, this book delves into many aspects that may be present along the spectrum of the end-of-life journey: from legal aspects (i.e. executor and medical directive), hospice care, and palliative care to family dynamics, funeral arrangements, and the logistics of closing a loved one’s life. In addition, this book provides firsthand accounts within each chapter to help support those who may feel alone, lost, or unsure of how to navigate the process. Furthermore, the book discusses a commonly overlooked aspect, assisted suicide, in hopes to generate awareness and create a safe space for an open discussion for those wanting to understand more about this topic. No one is alone; we will all face this aspect of life’s journey with a loved one at some point during our lifetime. Lurking in the Dark: Reality of The Times: This book examines many of the intricate issues that are present during adolescence and young adulthood. In Western culture, there are several shadow aspects to adolescence and young adulthood: Puberty, sexuality, sex, masturbation, drug experimentation, human trafficking, pressure to succeed, school shootings, and abusive adolescent relationships all exist and need to be discussed openly. This book mindfully attempts to explore these shadow and unwitnessed subjects and provides resources for young readers. In addition, this book provides firsthand accounts within each chapter to help support those who may be trying to navigate the process. It is important for parents or guardians to openly discuss these topics in a loving, accepting, unjudging manner. Sadly, the shadow aspects of American culture often triumph, and many adolescents and young adults do not get that opportunity.
Alternative Conception: From Infertility to Delivery: Though it is not the everyday conversation in most cultures, it is not uncommon for couples to struggle with conception and infertility. Both men and women can struggle with issues of infertility. This book is written with the aspiration to empower intended parent(s) with as much information as possible to ease the whirlwind of uncertainty and questions surrounding infertility and In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF). It guides the reader through the options and process of the IVF journey. This book may help those who are considering the alternative conception route toward creating and/or expanding their family. Anyone who would like to purchase one of these books may find them on Amazon; type in Mimi Amaral. As I was writing the books I chose not to add the prefix Dr. to four out of five of the books. I did this with the aspiration to reach the largest audience possible, to help anyone who may be struggling, and to empower an understanding that
they are not alone.

I’d like to end by saying thank you again to you Steve and Splash Magazine for your encouragement and support throughout the many years that I’ve been a journalist for Splash, and to Barbara Keer for keeping her brother, Lawrence Davis, legacy and dream alive … I am honored and grateful to have known Lawrence and be a part of Splash Magazine Worldwide.

Links for bolded titles:
Harbor Psychiatry & Mental Health, Newport Beach: Psychiatrists Orange County, CA |
Psychologists Orange County, CA (harbormentalhealth.com)
Alternative Conception: From Infertility to Delivery: Amazon.com: Alternative
Conception: From Infertility to Delivery eBook : Amaral PSY.D., Dr. Mimi: Books
Seedsethics: Welcome to Seeds Ethics
Death: Before & After, A Survivors Guide : Amazon.com: Death: Before & After, A
Survivor’s Guide eBook : Amaral, Mimi: Kindle Store
Bright Lights, Dark Shadows: The Shadow Side of Celebrity and Fame: Amazon.com:
Bright Lights, Dark Shadows: The Shadow Side of Celebrity and Fame eBook : Amaral,
Mimi: Kindle Store
Entertainment Psychology Aspired Division: Petition for the formation of a new
Division of APA: Entertainment Psychology
Emasculated: Men Are Abused Too: Amazon.com: Emasculated: Men Are Abused Too
eBook : Amaral, Mimi: Kindle Store

Lurking in the Dark: Reality of the Times: Amazon.com: Lurking in the Dark: Reality of
the Times eBook : Amaral, Mimi: Kindle Store
Mimi Amaral: Mimipsy-D – Mimi, Amaral
Splash Magazine Worldwide: Splash Magazines – Adding Style to Your Life