Every Family Has A Story: How we inherit love and loss

Description

With her usual warmth and wisdom, bestselling psychotherapist Julia Samuel explores the family- what we inherit and how we can change Relationships fundamentally influence our health and happiness -- and family is the only relationship that we cannot leave, however much we might like to. But we think too narrowly about the impact of our families on our lives. Every Family Has A Story sees bestselling psychotherapist Julia Samuel turn from her work with individuals to sessions with a wide variety of families. Diving deep into eight case studies, with her usual storytelling panache and the latest academic research, she analyses a range of common issues including separation, step-relationships, leaving home, trauma and loss. In doing so, she reveals insightfully how deeply we are influenced by our families -- including the often under-appreciated impact of grandparents and siblings -- and offers universally applicable insights into how families can face challenges together. Her twelve touchstones for family wellbeing -- from fighting productively to making time for rituals, and from setting boundaries to allowing difference -- provide us with the tools to ultimately be better family members ourselves. Revealing forgiveness and learning amidst trauma and hardship, this is an honest and compassionate meditation on what we inherit and how we can create the families we wish for.

Julia Samuel, MBE, is a leading British psychotherapist. During the last thirty years, she has worked first for the NHS and then in private practice. She is Founder Patron of Child Bereavement UK. Her previous books are This Too Shall Pass and Grief Works, both of which were Sunday Times bestsellers. She lives in London with her husband, and has four children and six grandchildren.

Engaging, informative and very well written -- Philippa Perry Full of nuggets of wisdom -- Jackie Annesley * Sunday Times * Engrossing, generous . . . excellent advice worth a whole shelf of textbooks -- Bel Mooney * Daily Mail * I am a huge admirer of Julia's work -- Elizabeth Day A profoundly important and compassionate book for understanding family relationships much better. Highly recommended -- Liz Earle