Villanova Preparatory School graduate and Ojai native Michael Burgos’ book, “The Book of Comforts: Simple, Powerful Ways to Comfort Your Spirit, Body and Soul,” has been named as a finalist in the 22nd annual Benjamin Franklin Awards by a panel of nationwide book experts.
   Although originally interested in pursuing journalism, Burgos’ concurrent interest in psychology led him to receive two master of art degrees, in counseling psychology and in education. He is also a licensed marriage and family therapist, who specialized as a clinical supervisor, training student therapists, and consulting on all their cases.
   After 15 years of helping people one-on-one, he felt an urgent need to share the fruits of his work and personal experience in his book.
   A strong, life-affirming spirit combined with a challenging medical history has led Burgos to be especially attuned to other people’s suffering and determinedly proactive about his own physical and emotional health.
   When he was only 2 years old, he lost a kidney to cancer and received radiation treatments that affected his immune system and bone structure. When he was 28, he had a lymphoma, receiving seven months of intensive chemotherapy. He has also struggled with constant back pain and sleep challenges, as well as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
   Reviews of Burgos’ book may be seen at Amazon.com.