"Emotionally abusive parents are indeed toxic parents, and they
cause significant damage to their children's self-esteem,
self-image, and body image. In this remarkable book, Beverly Engel
shares her powerful Mirror Therapy program for helping adult
survivors to overcome their shame and self-criticism, become more
compassionate and accepting of themselves, and create a more
posititve self-image. I strongly recommend it for anyone who was
abused or neglected as a child."

--Susan Forward, Ph.D., author of Toxic Parents

"In this book, Beverly Engel documents the wide range of
psychological abuses that so many children experience in growing
up. Her case examples and personal accounts are poignant and
powerful reminders that as adults, many of us are still limited by
the defenses we formed when trying to protect ourselves in the face
of the painful circumstances we found ourselves in as children.
Engle's insightful questionnaires and exercises provide concrete
help in the healing process, and her writing style is lively and
engaging. This book is destined to positively affect many
lives."

--Joyce Catlett, M.A., coauthor of Fear of Intimacy

The Emotionally Abusive Relationship

"Beverly Engel clearly and with caring offers step-by-step
strategies to stop emotional abuse . . . helping both victims and
abusers to identify the patterns of this painful and traumatic type
of abuse."

--Marti Tamm Loring, Ph.D., author of Emotional Abuse

Loving Him without Losing You

"A powerful and practical guide to relationships that every woman
should read."

--Barbara De Angelis, Ph.D., author of Are You the One for Me?

Autorentext

BEVERLY ENGEL is an internationally recognized expert in emotional and sexual abuse. She is the author of several other self-help books, including the highly successful The Emotionally Abusive Relationship, Loving Him without Losing You, and The Emotionally Abused Woman. Engel conducts workshops and professional training programs and has appeared on many national television shows, including Oprah, Starting Over, Donahue, and Ricki Lake.

Zusammenfassung
Healing Your Emotional Self

"Emotionally abusive parents are indeed toxic parents, and they cause significant damage to their children's self-esteem, self-image, and body image. In this remarkable book, Beverly Engel shares her powerful Mirror Therapy program for helping adult survivors to overcome their shame and self-criticism, become more compassionate and accepting of themselves, and create a more posititve self-image. I strongly recommend it for anyone who was abused or neglected as a child."
--Susan Forward, Ph.D., author of Toxic Parents

"In this book, Beverly Engel documents the wide range of psychological abuses that so many children experience in growing up. Her case examples and personal accounts are poignant and powerful reminders that as adults, many of us are still limited by the defenses we formed when trying to protect ourselves in the face of the painful circumstances we found ourselves in as children. Engle's insightful questionnaires and exercises provide concrete help in the healing process, and her writing style is lively and engaging. This book is destined to positively affect many lives."
--Joyce Catlett, M.A., coauthor of Fear of Intimacy

The Emotionally Abusive Relationship

"Beverly Engel clearly and with caring offers step-by-step strategies to stop emotional abuse . . . helping both victims and abusers to identify the patterns of this painful and traumatic type of abuse."
--Marti Tamm Loring, Ph.D., author of Emotional Abuse

Loving Him without Losing You

"A powerful and practical guide to relationships that every woman should read."
--Barbara De Angelis, Ph.D., author of Are You the One for Me?

Inhalt

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction 1

Part One
How Your Parents Shape Your Self-Esteem, Self-Image, and Body Image

1 Our Parents as Mirrors 9

2 The Seven Types of Negative Parental Mirrors 29

3 Your Body as a Mirror 63

4 How Mirror Therapy Works 77

Part Two
Shattering Your Distorted Parental Mirror

5 Rejecting Your Parents' Negative Reflection 87