Description: Many bright idealists find themselves disillusioned and they may experience existential depression as they examine their lives and search for meaningfulness. This book includes information and suggestions for actions that can better manage their feelings and thoughts in ways that provide a sense of satisfaction and contentment.
Brief description: James T. Webb, Ph.D. was recognized nationally as one of the most influential psychologists on gifted education. Dr. Webb wrote 16 books, over 75 professional publications, three DVDs, and many research papers for psychology conventions or for conferences regarding gifted and talented children. Six of his books were on gifted children and adults, and four won "Best Book" awards. In 1981, Dr. Webb established SENG, a national nonprofit organization that provides information, training, conferences, and workshops, and served as Chair of SENG's Professional Advisory Committee. In 2011, he was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Arizona Association for Gifted children, the Community Service Award from the National Association for Gifted Children, and the Upton Sinclair Award by EducationNews.org. Most recently, Dr. Webb was President of Great Potential Press, Inc. Dr. Webb received the 2017 Palmarium Award at the University of Denver's Gifted Education conference, "Transformational Leadership: Inspirations and Issues in Gifted Education", where Dr. Webb was honored for exemplifying "a future in which giftedness will be understood, embraced and systematically nurtured throughout the nation and the world."
Review Quotes: "It is the best book on gifted children and adults that has been written in the last ten years. This book should be studied. It should be studied for the wisdom in it and it should also be studied for the beauty of language that is utilized." - Michael F. Shaughnessy, Ph.D., Special Education Professor at Eastern New Mexico University and Consulting Editor for Gifted Education International and Educational Psychology Review "Dr. Webb addresses the subjects with a style that is at once both welcoming and reassuring while at the same time being thought-provoking and inspirational." - Stephanie K. Ferguson, Ph.D., Executive Director, Early College and Director, Program for the Exceptionally Gifted Mary Baldwin College "Another in a long line of not only informative but life-changing contributions by this author to the psychology of what it means, how it feels, and how often it actually hurts, to be gifted. And how to cope with it." - William H. Smith, Ph.D., ABPP (Former Dean, Karl Menninger School of Psychiatry and Mental Health Sciences) "An in-depth and sensitive treatment of this very important topic. Searching for Meaning will be an excellent resource for all gifted individuals and the clinicians who work with them." - Jerald Grobman, M.D., Psychiatrist and Senior Supervisor of Psychology Interns at Lenox Hill Hospital "If you are gifted and are constantly searching for meaning, there is no doubt that this is a book for you." - Susan Daniels, Ph.D., Co-Author of Living with Intensity and Professor of Educational Psychology, CSUSB "...by laying the foundation of why so many bright minds find themselves confronting disillusionment and depression, [Dr. Webb] is then able to build on this understanding to help us climb back into the light." - Suki Wessling of Avant Parenting "Dr. Webb describes issues and feelings that many of us experience, and he provides a way to cope with and accept them... A soothing balm to the whirlwind of emotions experienced by disillusioned bright idealists." - Paul Beljan, PsyD, ABPdN, ABN, Pediatric Neuropsychologist and Co-Author of Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults "Searching for Meaning... gave me an immediate connection to my daughter's struggles with plenty of insight and tools for anyone to make positive life changes... Webb understands his subject deeply and knows how to give valuable advice... I'm recommending Searching for Meaning to [my daughter]-and to you." - Wendy Skinner, teacher and author of the book Life with Gifted Children