9781576832363

You are not over when your relationship ends. If you've recently gone through a divorce or relational breakup, you know how difficult it is to recover your sense of identity, balance, and hope. The flood of emotions and impulses surrounding a divorce can leave you feeling permanently angry, bitter, fearful, or lonely. And the most natural thing in the world is to want relief. But be careful. Finding a new and satisfying relationship is ultimately a healthy goal. But if you haven't taken steps to heal emotionally and reflect on your role in past relationships, moving on is more likely to extend your pain than to relieve it. Resolving the complicated feelings associated with a breakup takes concentration, effort, and a good plan. It takes a fresh start. In Starting Over, authors Whiteman and Petersen present the insights, guidance, and encouragement they've gleaned from years of counseling and thousands of interviews. Drawn from the "hindsight wisdom" of those who have rebuilt their lives and moved on to healthier relationships, the eight principles revealed in this guidebook will help you: - Recognize which friends will speed your recovery (and which ones will sabotage it!) - Discover the power of forgiveness for overcoming old wounds - Regain a healthy view of yourself and your experience - Avoid the emotional and relational pitfalls common to those who experience loss - Learn how to help others through similar experiences As important as it is to acknowledge the parts of your soul that feel damaged or destroyed by an ended relationship, it's even more important to recognize your potential for the future. And the best time to start is right now.

Thomas A. Whiteman, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and the founder and president of Life Counseling Services. He has authored or coauthored several books including The Marriage Mender (NavPress), Adult ADD, Victim of Love? (both Pinon Press), and The Complete Stress Management Workbook (Zondervan). Dr. Whiteman has interviewed with numerous radio and television stations across the country including WHUH in Washington, D.C., and programs like "Mid-Day Connection" in Chicago, "On the Line" on WNYC in New York City, and "Minirith-Meier Clinic." He lives with his wife and children in Berwyn, Pennsylvania.

Randy Petersen has written numerous books, including several on psychological themes. He is coauthor of Stress Test, Victim of Love?, and Angry with God (all Piñon Press). As a free-lance writer, Randy regularly creates educational curriculum for youth and adults, and has written articles for various magazines and web sites. Randy is also an acting teacher, director, and actor in Philadelphia-area schools and theaters, with several original plays produced. He is the founding producer of the Encore Theater Company, which has developed and performed the original musical Creating. A graduate of Wheaton College in Illinois, with a degree in ancient languages, he lives in Westville, New Jersey.