Breaking the Cycle of Abuse: How to Move Beyond Your Past to Create an Abuse-Free Future - Softcover

There isn't just one way to break the cycle; there are many. In this powerful book Engel offers you empowering tools focusing on support and compassion, education, abuse prevention strategies, and long-term recovery strategies. If you are just starting to see signs of abusive or neglectful behavior in yourself or in a partner, if you are a victim of abuse, or if you are continuing a pattern of abuse, Engel gives you the ability-- in the privacy of your home and at your own pace-- to complete an entire therapeutic program designed to help prevent you from crossing the line or from continuing to do so.

Throughout the book, Engel shares many dramatic personal stories, including her own experiences with abuse and abusive behavior. She also addresses the sensitive topic of sexual abuse and how to avoid becoming an abuser if you were sexually abused yourself. Engel explains why abusive patterns are established and presents both short-term and long-term strategies forgaining control over emotions while offering alternative ways to react to stress, anger, fear, and shame-- significant factors in continuing the cycle of abuse. Her step-by-step program provides the skills needed to: Stop negative behavior before it becomes habitual and causes significant harm to your loved ones
Heal the damage you experienced from prior abuse or neglect
Change negative attitudes and beliefs that create a victim or abuser mentality
Learn healthy ways of communicating needs and resolving conflicts
Learn parenting skills that will help prevent you from passing on what was done to you
Repair damage that has already occurred to your relationships, including those with your children
Seek out further assistance and support

Those who perpetuate the cycle of neglect and abuse do so because they are out of control and feel they have no other options. Breaking the Cycle of Abuse shows you those options, giving you the power to break abusive patterns for good and offering a legacy of hope and healing to you and your family.