Breaking the Cycle of Abuse

Acknowledgments. Introduction. Part One: Understanding the Legacy of Abuse. 1. What Will Be Your Legacy? 2. Assessing Your Risk Factors. 3. Why We Do to Others (and Ourselves) What Was Done to Us. Part Two: Facing the Truth and Facing Your Feelings. 4. Coming Out of Denial 59 5. Learn to Identify and Manage Your Emotions 72 6. Learn How to Identify and Manage Your Shame 86 7. Managing Your Anger 115 8. Coping with Fear 138 Part Three: Abuse Prevention Strategies. 9. How to Prevent Partner Abuse 157 10. How to Prevent Child Abuse 181 11. If You Have Already Become Abusive 202 12. If You Have Already Been Abused or Established a Victim Pattern. Part Four: Long--Term Strategies to Help You Break the Cycle. 13.Emotionally Separating from Your Parents. 14.Facing the Truth about Your Family Legacy. 15.Breaking into the Dysfunctional Family System. 16.Continue to Heal. Epilogue. Resources. References. Recommended Reading. Index.

BEVERLY ENGEL is an internationally recognized expert in emotional and sexual abuse. A licensed marriage and family therapist for twenty--eight years, she is the author of many nonfiction books dealing with emotional and sexual abuse, including The Emotionally Abused Woman and The Right to Innocence: Healing the Trauma of Childhood Sexual Abuse. Her four most recent books are The Emotionally Abusive Relationship, Honor Your Anger, Loving Him without Losing You, and The Power of Apology, which was a finalist in the Books for a Better Life Awards. Engel conducts workshops and professional training programs throughout the United States and has appeared on many national television shows and networks, including Oprah, Donahue, Ricki Lake, Sally Jessy Rapha?l, CNN, and others.

"!an excellent choice for readers who come from an abusive past and are struggling to make a brighter future." (Publishers Weekly Annex on--line, November 15, 2004)