Healing Relationships is an Inside Job: When the Connection Between You and Another Person Is Strained or Broken

Changing the dynamics of unsatisfying relationships seems to be an elusive goal at best, but through this comprehensive view of the human psyche, readers will gain knowledge on how to separate their ego and true self and fundamentally restructure their relationships for the better. The ego often promotes the notion that identity stems from opinions, possessions, and other elements outside of the true self—an entity which lives in the present and is free from outward concerns and issues. Through eight chapters and complementary exercises, readers will learn to recognize, respect, and manage the manifestations of the ego in everyday interactions and arguments, thus stopping the ego from destroying the love that the true self is seeking. The final chapter of this helpful book suggests changes to the structure of relationships, with guidelines for resolving disagreements and making calmer choices in times of stress.

Arlene Harder, MFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist. She has cofounded two nonprofit cancer-support organizations and is the creator of four websites, including www.support4change.com and www.childhoodaffirmations.com. She is the author of Ask Yourself Questions and Change Your Life and Letting Go of Our Adult Children. She lives in Altadena, California.