Overcoming Your Difficult Family: 8 Skills for Thriving in Any Family Situation

In as much as our family of origin sets us up for life and teaches us how to deal with relationships, it is important to have an understanding of family dynamics, particularly if those relationships are awkward or difficult. This is a very practical book and displays the author’s understanding of this subject. Also, each chapter ends with a tool kit of practical exercises to deepen one’s understanding. The exercise on page 56 is of particular note for physically manifesting the challenge of dealing with difficult people: and in all truth, doesn’t each of us have at least one difficult familial relationship?

This is the therapist-author’s second book. Each chapter deals with a specific type of family interaction and how to cope with it. The author details ten difficult family types. The book also has footnotes and an index for quick reference. The family survival tool kit includes eight approaches to maintaining calm when facing a challenging situation. This is a good book for anyone hurting from a family dynamic that is less than positive.