Synopses & Reviews
Recovering addicts are faced with many challenges, and these challenges can often extend to their romantic partners. During the recovery period, couples often struggle with overcoming feelings of betrayal and frustration, and may have a hard time rebuilding trust and closeness. While there are many resources available to recovering addicts, there are limited resources for the people who love them.
In Loving Someone in Recovery, therapist Beverly Berg offers powerful tools for the partners of recovering addicts. Based in mindfulness, attachment theory, and neurobiology, this book will help readers sustain emotional stability in their relationships, increase effective communication, establish boundaries, and take real steps toward reigniting intimacy.
The material in this book is drawn from the authors successful Conscious Couples Recovery Workshop. With more than 25 years in the field, she has developed a unique set of exercises that address the issues faced by couples in recovery. This book addresses the roles that both partners play in recovery, and aims to help readers develop a new appreciation for one another and improve self-confidence and acceptance.
The road to recovery is never an easy one, but by building a strong support system, the chances of success are exponentially greater. For more information on Bergs work, visit consciouscouplesrecovery.com
Review
"Resources for individuals with bipolar disorder are few and far between, but those for the people who care for them are even scarcer. Julie A. Fast and John D. Preston have put together a valuable resource for families and caregivers of people with bipolar disorder. Taking a holistic perspective, these authors offer advice that will help readers help their loved ones with bipolar disorder. More importantly, this book encourages and helps readers to take good care of themselves and their relationships."
—Sheri Van Dijk, MSW, RSW, psychotherapist and author of The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook for Bipolar Disorder, The Bipolar Workbook for Teens, and other books
"Julie A. Fast and John D. Preston have put together an impressive second-edition guide for couples struggling with the reality of bipolar disorder. They strive to decouple the diagnosis from the individual living with it. This premise lays the groundwork for their discussion of compassionate, non-blaming communication combined with effective couples-based solutions for those striving to work through the interpersonal complexities of a relationship impacted by bipolar disorder. Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder really is a must-read for anyone who does."
—Russ Federman, PhD, ABPP, director of counseling and psychological services at the University of Virginia and author of Facing Bipolar
Review
“I am truly impressed with this wonderful book. I will have it in my office and will recommend it to patients’ partners as a matter of course as they go through the journey with this illness.”
—Steven Juergens, MD
Review
"More than an education about bipolar disorder, this is a welcome to the journey, in the kindest language you will find in any such book. Open to any page and you will notice the tone and wisdom of people who’ve obviously been there. It’s a challenge to maintain a relationship with someone who has this illness. You’d do well to have a guide, and you will not find any better than Julie A. Fast and John D. Preston. Nor will you find any clearer advice than that which the authors have laid out. Their book is remarkably emotionally intelligent and a privilege to read."
—James Phelps, MD, mood disorders specialist at Samaritan Mental Health in Corvallis, OR, and author of Why Am I Still Depressed?
Review
"This book will help the loved ones of people living with bipolar disorder to better understand its challenges. It provides clear, concrete ways of giving the support needed to keep their loved ones healthy and get them through the rough spots."
—Ruth White, PhD, MPH, MSW, associate professor of social work at Seattle University and author of Bipolar 101
Review
When Depression Hurts Your Relationship is an outstanding book, packed with easy-to-read information and strategies that will help couples navigate the stormy waters of depression. Shannon Kolakowski comprehensively tackles how depression negatively roots itself in the bonds of a partnership and offers solutions that are gentle, frank, and straightforward. One of the most wonderful things about Kolakowskis writing is that she delicately weaves science and research in such a way that it doesnt overwhelm the reader. Instead,
When Depression Hurts Your Relationship empowers, informs, and inspires with hope and encouragement.”
Deborah Serani, PsyD, psychologist and award-winning author of Living with Depression
Review
Kolakowski has written a wonderfully practical book to help people dealing with depression and struggling to preserve their relationships. She integrates her psychology expertise in very simple and easy-to-follow ways. From attachment to coping styles, Kolakowski addresses the psychological aspects of depression that contribute to hurting a relationship, and offers practical and easy exercises to break away from harmful patterns. The book is a great resourcenot only for people dealing with depression in their relationship, but also for any couple wanting to improve their communication style, add mindfulness in the relationship, and gain sexual intimacy. As a professor and psychologist working with couples, I intend to recommend this book to my psychology students and couples as an easy read and addendum to clinical work.”
Dinelia Rosa, PhD, president-elect of the New York State Psychological Association, director of the Dean Hope Center for Educational and Psychological Services at Columbia University, and adjunct associate professor at the clinical psychology program at Teachers College, Columbia University
Review
Depression is one of the greatest obstacles in relating to others or yourself.
When Depression Hurts Your Relationship is a wonderful remedy for making sure that this doesn't happen to you or your relationship. It is the right book at the right time, and will help millions of people prevent depression from getting in the way of living happily ever after.”
Mark Goulston, MD, author of Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone
Review
If you are depressed, new hope and a new life await, thanks to the book
When Depression Hurts Your Relationship. In it, youll find a clear, compassionate, and comprehensive guide, filled with hands-on activities and exercises to steer you through the morass of depression and stagnation thats separating you from your partner. Thanks to Kolakowski's invaluable resource, you can rebuild your connection with your partner to be stronger than ever, and find comfort in each others arms once again.”
Sheri Meyers, PsyD, licensed marriage and family therapist and author of Chatting or Cheating: How to Detect Infidelity, Rebuild Love and Affair-Proof Your Relationship
Review
In this new book, Shannon Kolakowski shows a deep and compassionate understanding of the ways in which depression shows up in our most cherished relationships. Based on research and Kolakowski's own clinical experience, this book is accessible to real people with real relationship goals. Packed with reflective exercises and concrete tools,
When Depression Hurts Your Relationship will empower you (and your partner) to create a healthy and loving bond.”
Heidi Reeder, PhD, author of Commit to Win and associate professor of communication at Boise State University, ID
Review
In a warm, comforting, and down-to-earth voice, Beverly Berg offers powerful, heartfelt help for couples and families grappling with addiction and recovery. Grounded in the latest neuroscience and illuminated by mindfulness, her book offers practical tools and advice for lasting love and happiness. Beverly writes with charm, humor, and the bone-deep understanding that comes from someone who has been there herself. This book is a remarkable achievement, at once compelling and profound, cheerful and wise.”
Rick Hanson, PhD, author of Buddha's Brain and Hardwiring Happiness
Review
Loving Someone in Recovery is the real deal: insightful, comprehensive, funny, and beautifully written. Its like having someone very wise walking beside you through rough terrain. And what a wonderful guide Beverly Berg is. Her knowledge comes through on every page. She speaks as a person who has been there, and as a clinician with years of experience helping real people put their lives back together. Anyone touched by a recovering person they care about needs this book. It has the power to change your life.”
Terrence Real, MSW, LCSW, author of The New Rules of Marriage: What You Need to Know to Make Marriage Work
Review
With a strong understanding of addiction recovery and many years of working with couples struggling in their intimate relationships, Beverly Berg masterfully addresses the codependency that undermines the potential for a happy coupleship. While she recognizes the complexity of the challenges, she also knows the hope that comes with the possibilities. With a delightful writing style, she offers her readers concrete, do-able tools, and gives them the skills needed to create a healthy and happy relationship. This is the seminal book for couples confronted with the recovery of addiction and the age-old issue of codependency that undermines the promises.”
Claudia Black, PhD, author of It Will Never Happen to Me: Changing Course and Deceived: Facing Sexual Betrayal, Lies and Secrets
Review
Using her experiences from working with her clients, Beverly Berg has written a moving and helpful book for all couples seeking an intimate and fulfilling relationship. Through her use of specific and clear tools, the reader has available the possibility of creating intimacy, as well as tools for addressing the conflicts that occur in relationships and moving toward a greater understanding of love and commitment. In my books,
Coupleship and
Understanding Codependency, these are tenants of a fulfilling relationship. Berg offers a whole new dimension for growing together, and separately, in a healthy relationship. I applaud her book,
Loving Someone in Recovery.”
Sharon Wegscheider-Cruse, MA, author of Coupleship and Understanding Codependency, founder of Onsite Workshops, and family therapist www.sharonwcruse.com
Review
Loving Someone in Recovery is a groundbreaking, practical, and brilliant guide. It will give heart and support to millions in recovery and help them to learn to love wisely at last.”
Jack Kornfield, PhD, best-selling author of A Path with Heart
Review
Beverly Berg touches upon some of the most sensitive and raw issues a human being can experience: the conflict, unpredictability, and not-knowing of the recovery process. But she gives us a way home with kindness and counsel that help turn this into a redemptive and transformational experience. Enjoy the ride!”
Tim Ryan, United States congressman, co-chair of the House Caucus on Addiction and Recovery, and author of A Mindful Nation
Review
Beverly Berg writes with deep understanding and compassion. Filled with practical advice and exercises, this book is an invaluable resource for anyone in a relationship with someone in recovery.”
Sharon Salzberg, author of Real Happiness and Lovingkindness
Synopsis
Written to the partner of a bipolar individual, this book will help readers mend strained relationships, control episodic crises, learn which coping approaches work, and create loving, healthy relationships. Readers also learn how to recognize a bipolar conversation and survive the financial turbulence manic spending may cause.
Synopsis
Bipolar Disorder is characterized by alternating periods of dramatically manic behavior and episodes of extreme sadness and hopelessness, often with periods of normalcy in between. Those close to bipolar individuals may experience feelings of fear, loss, and anxiety and a constant uncertainty about the bipolar individual's mood.
Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder is the first of its kind: written to the partner of a bipolar individual and designed to mend strained relationships. If your partner suffers from bipolar disorder, use this book to learn how to negotiate his or her episodic crises. Find out how to recognize a bipolar conversation. Survive the financial turbulence manic spending may cause. Deal with problematic sexual issues. Know when to call for help. All of the tactics in this book work to offer relief and engender a greater sense of stability.
Understand that the ultimate goal of this book, the development of a peaceful and loving relationship, is absolutely achievable with patience and good advice.
Synopsis
Maintaining a relationship is hard enough without the added challenges of your partners bipolar disorder symptoms. Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder offers information and step-by-step advice for helping your partner manage mood swings and impulsive actions, allowing you to finally focus on enjoying your relationship while also taking time for yourself. This book explains the symptoms of your partners disorder and offers strategies for preventing them and responding to these symptoms when they do occur.
This updated edition includes a new section about the medications your partner may be taking so that you can understand the side effects and help monitor his or her bipolar treatment. As a supportive partner, you deserve support yourself. This book will help you create a more balanced, fulfilling relationship.
Improve your relationship by learning how to:
- Identify your partners symptom triggers so you can prevent episodes
- Improve communication by stopping irrational bipolar conversations”
- Handle your partners emotional ups and downs
- Foster closeness and connection with your partner
Synopsis
When someone has obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), it can affect their entire family. Based in proven-effective cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, When a Family Member Has OCD offers an essential guide to help family members cope with their loved ones compulsive behaviors, obsessions, and constant need for reassurance. Family members will also learn ways to understand and communicate with each other when OCD becomes a major part of family life. The book includes comprehensive information on OCD and its symptoms, as well as advice for each affected family member.
Synopsis
When someone has obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), it can affect the entire family. This book is an essential guide to help family members cope with their loved ones compulsive behaviors, obsessions, and constant need for reassurance.
If your loved one has OCD, you may be unsure of how to express your concerns in a compassionate, effective way. In When a Family Member Has OCD, you and your family will learn ways to better understand and communicate with each other when OCD becomes a major part of your household. In addition to proven-effective cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness techniques, youll find comprehensive information on OCD and its symptoms, as well as advice for each affected family member.
OCD affects millions of people worldwide. Though significant advances have been made in medication and therapeutic treatments of the disorder, there are few resources available to help families deal with the impact of a loved ones symptoms. This book provides a helpful guide for your family.
Synopsis
Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder is a first of its kind book—written specifically for the partner of a person with bipolar disorder. If you have a loved one with bipolar, you know how disruptive and straining this disorder can be to your relationship. You may experience feelings of fear, loss, and anxiety as well as a constant uncertainly about your loved one’s ever-changing moods.
This book is designed to help you overcome the unique challenges of loving someone with bipolar disorder. With the supportive and helpful information, strategies, and real-life examples contained here, you’ll have all the tools you need to create a loving, healthy, and close relationship.
Find out how to:
- Identify which coping approaches work and which do not
- Recognize and transform a “bipolar conversation”
- Use new strategies to help manage episodic crises
- Survive the financial turbulence manic spending may cause
- Deal with problematic sexual issues Increase closeness and stability in your relationship
Synopsis
People with depression are at a greater risk of letting their emotions sabotage their relationships. They may constantly worry that they arent good enough for their partners. They may also become irritable with their partners, or push them away when they are feeling sad. To make matters worse, their sex life may suffer. The truth is that feelings of isolation, worthlessness, and tiredness can all take a hefty toll on a romantic relationship. But there is help. Using an integrative approach, When Depression Hurts Your Relationship offers practical skills to help readers with depression reignite intimacy with their partners.
Synopsis
When you are feeling depressed, having a loving, supportive relationship with your partner can help you in your path towards healing and creating a happier life. But often depression interferes with your relationship, distancing you from your partner during your time of need.
If you are in the midst of depression, you may worry that you arent good enough for your partner, or become irritable around them. You may even push them away when you feel like your emotions are beyond your control. In addition, your sense of intimacy may diminish, and your sex life may fizzle as a result of fatigue, medications and feeling disconnected from your partner. The hard truth is that feelings of isolation, worthlessness, and tiredness can all take a hefty toll on your love life. But you dont have to let depression be the demise of your relationship.
Using an integrative approach based in mindfulness, interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), When Depression Hurts Your Relationship offers practical skills to help readers with depression reignite intimacy with their partners.
If you suffer from depression, this book is a must-read to help keep your romantic relationship healthy, exciting, and rewarding for you both.
Synopsis
In Loving Someone in Recovery, a therapist offers powerful tools for the partners of recovering addicts. Based in mindfulness, attachment theory, and neurobiology, this book will help readers sustain emotional stability in their relationships, increase effective communication, establish boundaries, and take steps to reignite intimacy. Drawn from the authors successful Conscious Couples Recovery Workshop, this book addresses the roles that both partners play in recovery, and aims to help readers rebuild trust and connection.
About the Author
Jon Hershfield, MFT, is a psychotherapist who specializes in mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy for OCD and related disorders, and is licensed in the states of Maryland and California. He is director of the OCD and Anxiety Center of Greater Baltimore in Hunt Valley, MD, and coauthor of
The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD. Hershfield is a frequent presenter at the annual conferences of both the International OCD Foundation and the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, and a professional contributor to multiple online support groups for OCD.
Foreword writer Jeff Bell is an author, health advocate, and radio news anchor. His two books, Rewind, Replay, Repeat and When in Doubt, Make Belief, have established Bell as a leading voice for mental health awareness and "Greater Good" motivation. Bell serves as a national spokesperson for the International OCD Foundation; and in 2011, he co-founded the nonprofit A2A Alliance (www.A2Aalliance.org), aiming to showcase and foster the power of turning adversity into advocacy. Bell is a 20-year veteran of broadcast news and currently co-anchors the KCBS Afternoon News, winner of the 2014 Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Newscast in America.