The Emotionally Abusive Relationship (eBook)

Beverly Engel, LMFT, is an internationally recognized psychotherapist and an acclaimed advocate for victims of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. She is the author of twenty-three self-help books, including Loving Him without Losing You, Healing Your Emotional Self, and The Nice Girl Syndrome. Beverly frequently lends her expertise to national television shows and has appeared on Oprah, CNN, and Starting Over. She has a blog on the Psychology Today website and has been featured in publications including O, The Oprah Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Ladies Home Journal, The Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, and more.

Introduction

Part One Identifying and Understanding Emotional Abuse

1. Emotional Abuse--The Destroyer of Relationships

2. Patterns of Abuse

3. Not All Emotionally Abusive Relationships Are Alike

Part Two: Healing Your Childhood and Your Unhealthy Patterns

4. Patterns That Begin in Childhood: Why We Abuse and Why We Take It

5. Completing Your Unfinished Business (For Both Victims and Abusers)

6. Healing Your Shame through Self-Compassion

Part Three: Stopping the Abuse

7. Action Steps for those Being Abused

8. Actions Steps for the Abusive Partner

9 Action Steps for the Abusive Couple

10 When Your Partner Has a Personality Disorder

11 When Your Abusiveness Stems from Your Personality Disorder

Part Four: Where Do You Go from Here?

12 Should You Stay or Should You Leave?

13 Preventing Emotional Abuse in the Future

14 Continuing to Recover

Epilogue

References

Further Reading Index

"Engel's seminal book on abusive relationships is both practical and empathetic. I particularly like that she helps victims explore their childhood to understand their triggers and why they're in an abusive relationship. It's easy to read and explains how to confront abuse, move on, and recover."
--Darlene Lancer, LMFT, author of Dating, Loving, and Leaving a Narcissist

"Beverly Engel provides fresh insights in the new, second edition of The Emotionally Abusive Relationship. The book compassionately considers both parties entwined in their reciprocal double helix of pain. In illuminating the significance of shame in both the abuser and the abused, Engel reveals pathways for clearer recognition and, ultimately, healing for those caught in the web of emotional abuse."

--Jerold J. Kreisman, M.D., author of Sometimes I Act Crazy and I Hate You--Don't Leave Me

"Beverly Engel's humility, clinical sensitivity, grace, and her expertise in her written works are just the tools that everyone needs to help with healing from emotional abuse. Beverly graciously writes about emotional abuse in a way that's relatable, resonates, and is easy to understand for anyone going through it. Her work exudes compassion, and she is able to describe abuse dynamics without disparaging anyone. She genuinely and unselfishly is motivated to help everyone heal and holds our hands to walk us through the recovery journey. I applaud her kindness and generosity."

--Dr. Natalie Jones, PsyD, LPCC ®