This excellent classic helps women and men turn anger into a constructive force. Lerner moves readers away from silence, ineffective fighting and blame as she explains how relationship patterns operate and how to change one’s own steps in the dance. This audiobook addresses the difficulties and effort involved in changing established patterns. (Audiobook CD – 180 minutes)
The Dance of Intimacy: A Woman’s Guide to Courageous Acts of Change in Key Relationships
This sensible self-help book draws on family-systems therapy in recommending thoughtful “self-focus” for women stuck in difficult relationships with either mates or families. Emphasizing that “a truly intimate relationship is one in which we can be who we are, which means being open about ourselves,” highlights the importance of women defining themselves, their needs and limits, rather than reacting to anxiety unthinkingly–either by emotionally distancing themselves from problems or by overreacting. Lerner illustrates her points with case studies from her family as well as her practice. To explore what unhelpful patterns of behavior may be passed down from past generations, she advises creating a genogram, or family diagram, going back to a person’s grandparents or earlier. Lerner’s books have been on the best-seller list for good reason. (Audiobook CD and BOOK available)
