Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love

Dr. Sue Johnson

Apr 2008 · Sold by Little, Brown Spark

About this ebook

Strengthen and deepen your relationships with this "much-needed" (Harville Hendrix, PhD) guide that has sold over one million copies, through revelatory practical exercises, seven profound conversations, and sage advice from “the best couple’s therapist in the world” (John Gottman, PhD, bestselling author)

 
Are you looking to enrich a healthy relationship, revitalize a tired one, or rescue one gone awry? We all want a lifetime of love, support, and companionship. But sometimes we need a little help.
 
Enter Dr. Sue Johnson, developer of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy and “the most original contributor to couple’s therapy to come along in the last thirty years,” according to Dr. William J. Doherty, PhD. In Hold Me Tight, Dr. Johnson shares her groundbreaking and remarkably successful program for creating stronger, more secure relationships.
 
The message of Hold Me Tight is simple: Forget about learning how to argue better, analyzing your early childhood, making grand romantic gestures, or experimenting with new sexual positions. Instead, get to the emotional underpinnings of your relationship by recognizing that you are emotionally attached to and dependent on your partner in much the same way that a child is on a parent for nurturing, soothing, and protection. Dr. Johnson teaches that the way to enhance or save a relationship is to be open, attuned, and responsive to each other and to reestablish emotional connection. With this in mind, she focuses on key moments in a relationship and uses them as touch points for seven healing conversations, including:  

• Recognizing the Demon Dialogues
• Finding the Raw Spots
• Revisiting a Rocky Moment
• Forgiving Injuries
• Keeping Your Love Alive

 These conversations give you insight into the defining moments in your relationship and guide you in reshaping these moments to create a secure and lasting bond.
 
Through stories from Dr. Johnson’s practice, illuminating advice, and practical exercises, you will learn how to nurture, protect, and grow your relationship, ensuring a lifetime of love.
 
 
 

Ratings and reviews

I attempted to read the book and I found that it was not for the layman. I am just a guy who wanted to save his marriage to a beautiful woman. I tried to read the book but I found too much focus on other people examples and I started to lose interest. Really needed more but less. I guess I am not the sort of person who it was directed at. I went to a marriage counselor who followed the teaching; however she seemed to be unfocused and less goal oriented. That may have made me tainted. I do know that I love my (ex) wife and I truly wish it would have helped me to save my marriage. It takes more than a book, it takes two people who want to save the marriage. No book can help you if it is one sided. Good luck to all who are looking for help. Be patient, look at yourself first and remember it will be hard at first but love is worth it.

This book goes straight to the matters of heart. I found myself crying, smiling, nodding to stories/feelings written in this book. Very well written and provides with simple step by step approach to the relationship problems. The best part of the book is the way emotions are expressed via stories from real life couples. It's a must read, it will not only change perspective on your romantic relationship but on every relationship in life. I would recommend this book 100%.

There is a lot of situations in this book that I can relate too. Lots of useful information but for a person who just start seeing a psychologist it can be confusing. Many terms, many stories and theory's. I wish there was more about dealing with a spouse with chronic pain that always needs and does not give much in return. Thank you for writing this book and one day I might understand more of it.

About the author

Dr. Sue Johnson, a recipient of the Order of Canada, is an internationally recognized leader in the field of couple interventions. A clinical psychologist and Distinguished Research Professor at Alliant International University in San Diego and a professor at the University of Ottawa, Dr. Johnson is the primary developer of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and has trained thousands of therapists in North America and around the world. She is the author of numerous articles and books, including Love Sense and Created for Connection.