Frog and Scorpion in the Dark Room
Enter the Dark Room...
Frog and Scorpion in the Dark Room is the fourth book in Dr Toula’s Frog and Scorpion SIT® series. It uses creativity and story to explore the addictive shadow self in a safe, gentle way. Through symbols, images and personal reflection, readers can recognise unhealthy patterns without judgement. The story helps people understand these behaviours as coping strategies, opening the door to inner awareness, self-compassion and meaningful change.
The Story Continues
After a series of explosive family clashes, the buried shadows of Jack, Emily and their children Ace and Milly rise to the surface with unsettling force:
Jack’s intensity spirals into loss of control and emotional reactivity
Emily’s people-pleasing shifts into silent self-betrayal and emotional withdrawal
Ace seeks escape through risk-taking and thrill-seeking behaviours
Milly hides her distress behind perfection and compliance
Each coping strategy feeds the Dark Room
The Dark Room represents the unconscious space where addictive and self-protective patterns grow stronger when they are ignored rather than understood
Confronting the Addictive Shadow
Guided by unexpected allies, including ancestral figures and timeless archetypes, the family is drawn into a deeper confrontation with their inner addictive patterns.
Addictions are revealed not as substances, but as attachments to:
drama
avoidance
resentment
chaos
control
approval
Gripping and Deeply Reflective
As readers move through the story, they notice scenes, phrases or images that stand out or trigger a reaction. These moments act as clues, pointing to the reader’s own addictive patterns. Reflections may reveal fear-based or fantasy-based thoughts, feelings or behaviours, and the characters become a mirror, helping readers learn more about themselves. Insight develops in a safe, gentle and deeply personal way.
