Co-Dependence Healing the Human Condition: The New Paradigm for Helping Professionals and People in Recovery

by Charles L. Whitfield

Of all the books on the often misunderstood concept of co-dependence, this is probably the clearest, most complete and informative. Charles Whitfield is a frontline clinician who has been assisting co-dependents in their healing for over twenty years. He has researched the literature on co-dependence, which he summarizes in this widely read book. He sees co-dependence as a way to more accurately describe the painful and confusing part of the human condition. In careful detail he describes just what co-dependence is and what it is not, how it comes about, and how to heal its painful aftereffects

Genres: Psychology, Mental Health, Nonfiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1991

About the author

Charles L. Whitfield, M.D., is a physician, psychotherapist, author and internationally recognized expert on mental illness, behavioral problems, and recovery from addiction and trauma. He was on the faculty of the Rutgers University Summer Institute of Alcohol and Drug Studies from 1978 through 2003, and in private practice of addiction medicine and psychotherapy since 1976. He has also been a consultant and collaborator at the CDC in Atlanta since 1998. He has been voted by his peers as one of the Best Doctors in America every year since 1993. He lives in Atlanta, GA, and is in private practice with his wife, author and therapist, Barbara Harris Whitfield.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whitfield is a clinician and I appreciate his explanation of co-dependence using charts, lists, and bullets rather than dramatic stories and villains. It really is about learning to feel your own feelings, express yourself without fear, make mistakes without excessive shame, and live in emotional freedom with others, self, and God.

[TimsGlitterBug · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly informative and helpful. Great read for anyone who is looking to understand social dynamics and origins of dysfunctional behavior. Incredibly insightful, logical and a vital tool for everyone wishing to heal from various dysfunctional family dynamics. I love his honesty with his own healing journey. His warmth and empathy, by which he discusses our core issues, their triggers and how they can manifest themselves into our false self, is so encouraging. No 'tough love' here, just open honest digging into 'the human condition' and how we all can truly heal, if we are willing to put in the time to address and grieve our varies losses. This book is a keeper!!