Okay, so it’s just one book this time, but one I think will be very useful for anyone who is or who has struggled with emotionally abusive relationships.

The name of it, no surprise here, is The Emotionally Abusive Relationship by Beverly Engel.

What I find really valuable about Beverly’s book is how easily she covers a number of important issues that are liable to bring anyone to a counselor’s door. She offers great summaries and descriptions of likely scenarios involving emotionally abusive relationships and then has many practical suggestions and activities on how one can work through their own pain.

Also, if anyone out there would like help explaining to someone why therapy is useful, suggest they read this book. Beverly explains the long term consequences of emotionally abusive relationship in terms that are not condescending or dated.

She also does not avoid the theme I have been meaning (perhaps hoping more than writing) to address directly this year: That your feelings are what matter, and you must fight for them. She has a lot of assignment type suggestions that will require you to take an inventory on your relationships, your past and your feelings. Many people don’t want to do that kind of work. Don’t be one of those people.

I have another book that I am recommending to my clients also, but that one will require a bit more prep work. Trust me. This is going to be the book you will want to read.

For next time:

I do mean to revisit emotionally camouflaged language, and have had it mostly done for the last month, but the problem is that it morphed into 3 different equally important things. I think I am just going to post it in the next couple days and you can marvel at my lack of clarity. But with enthusiasm! I blame the lack of a Croatian beach in any close proximity to my office.