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Dr. McKibben’s approach combines the study of the body, the brain, and the interaction between emotion and memory. She enables us to tap into the biomechanics of emotions, resolve triggered feelings, and make better life choices.
An Evening with Dr. Helen McKibben at Books & Books in Coral Gables
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
7pm-8pm
Books & Books in Coral Gables
265 Aragon Ave
Coral Gables, FL 33134
One audience member at a recent DROP talk put it this way:
Instead of trying to wrestle with your emotions in the heat of the moment, where the limbic system can spin them into a storm, Dr. McKibben’s DROP technique gives you a different path.
- You’re not “suppressing” feelings or getting lost in endless analysis.
- You’re redirecting attention into the body’s somatosensory system, the part of the brain that processes sensations.
- This shift helps you step out of the emotional swirl and into a clearer state.
In other words, while traditional mindfulness might guide you into breath awareness or thought observation, DROP offers another route: a reset button in your own nervous system.
That’s why readers say it feels so practical and relatable, it’s not about escaping emotions, it’s about using the brain and body’s natural wiring to calm the storm and regain perspective.
Meet Dr. Helen McKibben, author of Drop: Making Great Decisions on Tuesday, July 1st at 6:30pm at Bethany Beach Books!
UMPI students drop in on book signing in PI
by Marah Russell | Feb 19, 2025
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine—On February 11th, Amazon best-selling author and therapist Helen McKibben hosted her first live public lecture at the Mark & Emily Turner Memorial Library.
The “evening of learning” was free and open to the public. Guests gathered in the Akeley Gallery for her presentation on “dropping to the blank screen,” a technique for managing triggered emotions outlined in her book Drop: Making Great Decisions.
With over 35 years of experience and licenses in eight states, the seasoned clinical therapist from Maryland shared insights into applying her technique to various aspects of life, including addiction, sleep, dating, and nutrition.
McKibben described dropping to the blank screen as a seated neutral position where individuals can work through overwhelming emotions. By allowing the full weight of their body to be supported by the surface beneath them, relaxing their upper body, and practicing breathing exercises, their brain can receive maximum oxygen and blood flow. This taps into memory, manages emotions effectively, and processes decisions efficiently.
The author demonstrated this technique live, showcasing its practical application and benefits. She expressed her hope to have more research done on her method.
Following the presentation, attendees participated in a book signing. The intimate setting allowed people to discuss the author’s works and receive personalized advice from the author herself. Students from the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI) received a complimentary copy of the book by presenting their student identification.
Miranda Cole, director of campus engagement at UMPI, attended the event and expressed that while she hadn’t read the book beforehand, she now plans to. “She framed her lecture in a way that makes a person want to read more about it,” Cole said.
Featured Press
People Who Felt Ignored as Children Often Develop These 14 Traits as Adults
August 20, 2025
When Parade magazine asked experts about the lasting effects of feeling ignored as a child, Dr. Helen McKibben, author of Drop: Making Great Decisions, offered powerful insight into how childhood neglect can echo into adulthood.
Being overlooked early in life can lead to indecision, second-guessing, people-pleasing, and difficulty setting boundaries. As Dr. McKibben explains:
“After having your ideas dismissed or ignored as a child, you grow up to believe that your choices are always wrong… You may second-guess yourself, ignore your gut feelings, and put others’ needs ahead of your own.”
She also highlights how these patterns often cause adults to struggle in relationships or attract partners who don’t value them. That critical inner voice that says “You can’t do this” or “They don’t care” often traces back to feeling ignored as a child.
But there is hope. Healing begins with awareness and small shifts. With the right tools—like Helen’s DROP method—you can retrain your brain, rebuild self-trust, and step out of old survival patterns.
You are not broken. You are not “too much.” You deserve relationships where you feel seen, valued, and safe to be your full self. Read more…
Indecisive? 3 Science-Backed Steps To Make Good Choices Fast
May 17, 2025
Some of us have to make so many decisions in the workday that after a while we suffer from decision fatigue, but some experts assert that indecisiveness can be traced to childhood. “Being indecisive when it comes to major life and career choices can lead to avoidance, and that’s when you get into trouble,” says clinical psychologist Dr. Helen McKibben, author of Drop: Making Great Decisions. According to McKibben, the stage is set for our decisive–or indecisive–nature in the first five years of brain development. Read more…
What It Means if You’re Wholly Numb Right Now—And How to Cope
November 7, 2024
It’s a normal way of processing a range of big emotions at once, according to experts.
There’s a reason denial is the first stage of grief: Much like feeling numb, mentally pushing back on bad news can be a mode of protection and is perfectly normal, Helen McKibben, PsyD, a board-certified psychologist and author of Drop: Making Great Decisions,
tells SELF.
A disconcerting thing happens in your brain when you experience a loss: “Every time you’ve felt a similar loss before can jump on board,” Dr. McKibben says, “which can leave you flooded with feelings from the past as well as the here and now.” Read more…
Interviews
SiriusXM Dave Nemo Weekends: Managing Emotions and Anger
Jan 19, 2025
Beyond the Headlines with Brett Reckamp: Stress and the Holidays
December 23, 2024
NON FICTION WEEK for Oaky Podcast
November 29, 2024
John Christian: Tell Me About Your Book
November 23, 2024
World Mental Health Day: Mental Health at Work on NightSide News Update with Dan Rea (start at 33 minutes)
WBZ NewsRadio 1030
October 10, 2024
Helicopter Parenting and College Students with Craig Blumenshine
Prairie Public NPR
September 5, 2024
Inspirational Women Podcast with Kate Daniels
September 1, 2024
Stop Second Guessing Yourself on The Mandy Connell Show
KOA 850 AM
August 30, 2024
How to Stop Second Guessing Yourself with Gary Sutton
WSBA / Harrisburg PA
August 7, 2024
The Daily Drum with Harold Fisher
WHUR-FM / Washington DC
August 7, 2024
Untangle! with Patricia Karpas
June 25th, 2024
Big Blend Radio
May 30th, 2024
Elevating Your Life with Paula Vail
KMET TV & Radio
May 26th, 2024
REVIEWS
IBPA Book Award Judge
“A comprehensive, essential, and effective guide for all who are striving to improve the quality of their lives in every dimension. I highly recommend Dr. McKibben’s new book!”
Dr. Anita Gadhia-Smith, bestselling author and 2013-2023 Best in Psychotherapy, Washington, DC, practicaltherapy.net
“During my three decades of collaborating with Dr. McKibben at my outpatient addiction rehabilitation program, my patients would often identify their sessions with her as having been a highlight of their entire treatment experience. I am very pleased that this book now makes her valuable clinical contributions available to a wider audience.”
George Kolodner, M.D.; Founder and Medical Director, Triple Track Treatment
“McKibben…imparts to her clients and readers an interdisciplinary methodology that combines emotion, intellect, and personal desire and determination. Her deft staging of multiple roles in her consultation is perhaps the most fascinating aspect of this work, revealing her as someone who understands and can convey the problematic situations that her clients must face. This in turn opens the way for them to assume roles that provide greater insight into their challenges. This ability on McKibben’s part…gives her written words broad scope, opening opportunities for discussion, contemplation, and a fresh following.”
Barbara Bamberger Scott on Goodreads
“The first self-help book I’ve found based on neuroscience that describes these processes in simple terms that anyone can understand.”
Carol Putnam, PhD on Goodreads
“Dropping to the blank screen is more than a simple relaxation or meditation technique. Dr. McKibben teaches us how to respond to people thoughtfully instead of just reacting…I have already started using this technique in communication with family members and friends. IT WORKS!!! There are many parts of the book that I will reread and study to use the method most effectively.”
Janette Fuller on Goodreads
“Dr. McKibben recognizes that utilizing her technique encourages readers to work through challenging situations by dropping frequently enough to learn to trust themselves and build genuine self-esteem. Through her clear and well-organized guide, readers can retrain their brains to make choices that bring greater satisfaction.”
Janice Airhart, SCBR
“Life-changing, powerful simplicity of how Dropping to a Blank Screen allows you to respond from your empowered self…it brings a powerful light to show lifelong patterns for what they truly are and gives the reader the tools to empower themselves. Dr. Helen’s description of self-esteem is groundbreaking…I’ve read countless books on dealing with difficult people, but none have shown the subtlety so clearly that I feel empowered to act in the moment from now on. Several of my life’s biggest struggles were clarified and unraveled. What a beautifully empowering book.”
AnnaMariah Nau on Goodreads
“I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn a simple and effective way to improve their relationships, unlock their inner wisdom, and get back behind the wheel of their life.”
Ali Gmail on Goodreads
“McKibben, a counselor and doctor of psychology, is a proponent of neuroscience, which allows her to impart to her clients and readers an interdisciplinary methodology that combines emotion, intellect, and personal desire and determination. Her deft staging of multiple roles in her consultation is perhaps the most fascinating aspect of this work, revealing her as someone who understands and can convey the problematic situations that her clients must face. This, in turn, opens the way for them to assume roles that provide greater insight into their challenges. This ability on McKibben’s part underpins the stance she hopes to inculcate in those who need her help and will give her written words broad scope, opening opportunities for discussion, contemplation and a fresh following.”
“A drop of emotional intelligence and self awareness. Drop is a new book by Helen Mckibben that will help us understand ourselves better and how to manage our emotions. The author creates a road map to help us understand how to be more self conscious about our own emotions, thoughts and feelings. I have 28 years experience teaching middle school and highschool students, Drop is a great resource to learn how to use the opportunities in life to make decisions that are more meaningful for our lives and develop our own emotional intelligence to be more successful in life. Highly recommend this book to everyone who is interested in learning a simple way to handle life’s challenges. Great gift for developing teenagers and young people who want to become successful adults. Thank you, Helen, for this wonderful book.”
“I have read many personal growth and self-help books, but Drop: Making Great Decisions is unique. It deeply impressed me, and I do believe Dr. Helen McKibben’s technique is innovative and mind-blowing. She has the expertise and knowledge to walk the reader through every step and thoroughly explain how to get the most out of this technique. Her words on self-esteem were enlightening and completely changed my opinion on this fundamental concept.”
Reviewed by Astrid Iustulin for Readers’ Favorite
“Using studies in neuroscience and her thirty-five years as a clinical therapist, Dr.
McKibben does more than provide a quick fix to a response to an event. Her work helps readers understand their feelings and
address the root cause. I have a child who has been diagnosed with ADHD, so Dr. McKibben’s section on parenting was particularly
helpful for me. I was able to put her suggestions in place the same day I read them, and it resulted in a more harmonious environment.”
Reviewed by Courtnee Turner Hoyle for Readers’ Favorite
“Drop: Making Great Decisions by Dr. Helen McKibben is a self-help guide that introduces readers to the Drop to the Blank Screen method. This method assists individuals in dealing with triggering emotions, silencing the inner critic, eliminating distractions, and enhancing self-esteem in all aspects of their lives. The approach highlights the significance of self-clarity and the role of authenticity in decision-making. The author emphasizes that choices and responses should be a reflection of one’s thoughts and feelings, rather than being influenced by external factors. The book covers topics such as addictions, eating disorders stemming from childhood trauma, parenthood, dating, and marriage. Its applications extend to athletes and performers who can use visualization to improve focus and performance. Finally, the author explains the science behind the method and suggests rewiring the brain to adopt healthier techniques for managing emotions.
How often do you bottle up your emotions or respond without thinking? Making Great Decisions can help you break this cycle by providing tools to manage your feelings in crucial situations. Whether dealing with a difficult person, haunting dreams, your child, or your partner, dropping, reassessing, and understanding the feelings involved can help you navigate the situation and make appropriate decisions. Dr. Helen McKibben has provided relatable conversations and case studies. She also offers practical exercises to help readers practice the Drop to the Blank Screen method effectively. Her use of text boxes, questions and answers, and mention of homework assignments makes the book engaging and adds an educational element to the narration. Overall, this book is a valuable resource that presents recommendations and insights that can be used by anyone with a desire to work on their emotional control and decision-making in any area of their life.”
Reviewed by Luwi Nyakansaila for Readers’ Favorite
“This book helped me understand myself better than years of trying to “think positive.” It teaches you how to work with your brain, not against it.”
Kehinde on Goodreads
“An eye-opening read. The connection between emotions and the brain is explained so simply. I’ve already recommended this book to friends and family.”
Taiwo Paul on Goodreads
“A powerful and refreshing approach to self-improvement. It feels scientific without being overwhelming, and inspiring without being unrealistic.”
Flora Dickson on Goodreads
“There’s a gentleness to this book that made me feel understood rather than judged. I felt seen while reading it, and I learned how to speak to myself with more compassion. The method Dr. McKibben teaches feels like something anyone can learn, and it’s deeply empowering.”
Sophia on Goodreads
“I’m not usually into self-help books, but this one felt very real and practical. It doesn’t feel preachy or unrealistic. The exercises are simple and don’t take hours. I’ve already noticed I’m more aware of my emotional triggers and less reactive. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants real, usable change.”
Williams on Goodreads
“This book sparked incredible conversations in our group. The questions it raises about emotional habits, relationships, and personal responsibility are powerful. What stood out is how actionable the advice is, it’s not theoretical, it’s practical. We all walked away with something valuable.”
Fiona on Goodreads