A revealing exploration of people whose wealth, fame, beauty, and social status grant them immense power. Celebrity culture drives us to aspire to be like the few who seem to have figured out how to have it all. But is it possible that they simultaneously have everything and nothing at all?

Having treated some of the world’s most successful people, psychotherapist “Dr. Paul” sets out to answer why so many people who have everything end up feeling like their achievements are never enough—as well as what that pattern can reveal about ourselves and the society in which we live.

The exclusivity of living behind the velvet rope or the gilded gate doesn’t guarantee happiness for the rich, famous, and powerful; there are downsides to attainment as well. We all—including people who seem protected by their privileged lives—can experience the self-destructive behaviors common to modern life, including chronic stress, addiction, anxiety, imposter syndrome, infidelity, negative body image, and narcissism.

Division marks our era. There’s a growing separation between the haves and have nots, men and women, as well as the empowered and the disenfranchised. At the same time, our culture is defined by celebrities, and the powerful, affluent people we put on a pedestal to idolize and emulate. Too often, we think our lives would be better if we could have what they have or be more like them. It’s time to realize that even the most admired people can go through life feeling unloved and unable to escape their problems.

From the therapist’s chair, we learn how feelings of shame, insecurity, abandonment, and emotional pain are all part of the human condition. With empathy, we can overcome our sense of isolation by realizing that we all crave—and deserve—understanding, intimacy, and real connection.

Impacted by narcissism? You’re not alone.

Celebrity culture drives us to aspire to be like the few who seem to have it all. But is it possible they simultaneously have everything- and nothing?

Behind the glitz, wealth and fame of the celebrities we follow, there is a common trend that impacts all of us. The popular label of “narcissism,” and “narcissist” surfaces in all of our lives and results in self-destructive behaviors common to modern life, including stress, addiction, anxiety, fear, imposter syndrome, infidelity, and depression.

Having treated some of the world’s most successful, wealthiest people and celebrities, Dr. Paul Hokemeyer applies his findings to tell us why so many people get trapped in narcissistic relationship cycles and shows how we can diminish their impact on ourselves and the people we love.

Dr. Paul Hokemeyer (J.D., PH.D.) is the founder of Drayson Mews, a global resource for UHNW individuals, couples and families seeking clinically effective mental and relational health services, a licensed marriage and family therapist and graduate of the Global Leaders in Healthcare program at Harvard Medical School.

In his book, Fragile Power, Dr. Paul shares from the therapist’s chair how feelings of shame, insecurity, abandonment, and emotional pain are all part of the human condition and how all of us, regardless of our levels of wealth, can heal ourselves, our relationships and the world we are privileged to live in.