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Boundaries of Steel: A Workbook for Managing and Recovering from Toxic Relationships
Have you ever found yourself wondering whether a past or current relationship may be unhealthy? Have you encountered any red flags or patterns of behavior in a partner or yourself which left you feeling uncomfortable, but you weren't sure how to speak up or put your foot down? In these pages, you will learn to identify patterns of toxic behavior, the tools for healing and self-care, and above all, how to set and maintain boundaries that work for you. Whether you are still healing from a toxic relationship in the past, or are currently in a relationship where unhealthy qualities are present, let this workbook be a guide to navigating relationships in a healthy, informed, and empowered state of mind. And, if you are in Colorado, USA, and want to join others who are also dealing with the effects of a toxic relationship, click on the author's name and visit her website. We offer a counseling group where you can accelerate your healing and find support with others who deeply understand your situation and a counselor who facilitates these six week groups.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 21, 2020
3 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Wilson
3 books6 followersCathy Wilson, LPC, ACS, is the Director of LifePaths Counseling Center in Littleton, Colorado. She received her degree in Community Counseling in Denver and has been providing counseling services since 2005.
Cathy is an active member of several mental health communities such as local consultation groups and the American Counseling Association; and she is also an Approved Clinical Supervisor.
In 2018, she began conducting workshops on creating a professional will for mental health providers, and soon after this, wrote her first book titled "One Last Act: A Mental Health Clinician's Guide to Professional Wills."
"One Last Act" helps colleagues complete a professional will, an important task needed to care for clients in case a provider dies.
She wrote her second book, "Boundaries of Steel: A Workbook for Managing and Recovering from Toxic Relationships," after creating and facilitating groups with the same name to help people overcome the effects of a toxic relationship.
Her third book is titled, "The Emotional Impact of Being Scammed and How to Recover." This book has helps people who have been scammed or the victim of fraud to overcome the emotional devastation that is so common once you realize what has happened.
Information from all three books will soon be available in video series form.
Ms. Wilson welcomes questions and comments about her books, and appreciates every review and the person who took the time to write it.
Cathy is an active member of several mental health communities such as local consultation groups and the American Counseling Association; and she is also an Approved Clinical Supervisor.
In 2018, she began conducting workshops on creating a professional will for mental health providers, and soon after this, wrote her first book titled "One Last Act: A Mental Health Clinician's Guide to Professional Wills."
"One Last Act" helps colleagues complete a professional will, an important task needed to care for clients in case a provider dies.
She wrote her second book, "Boundaries of Steel: A Workbook for Managing and Recovering from Toxic Relationships," after creating and facilitating groups with the same name to help people overcome the effects of a toxic relationship.
Her third book is titled, "The Emotional Impact of Being Scammed and How to Recover." This book has helps people who have been scammed or the victim of fraud to overcome the emotional devastation that is so common once you realize what has happened.
Information from all three books will soon be available in video series form.
Ms. Wilson welcomes questions and comments about her books, and appreciates every review and the person who took the time to write it.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 26, 2021
As a mental health professional, I have several favorite books on boundaries but this is my new favorite.
Boundaries of Steel: A Workbook for Managing and Recovering from Toxic Relationships takes a fresh and in-depth look into boundaries and toxic relationships.
The author touches on many aspects that previous authors who have tackled this subject matter have not including:
- the many ways to more effectively use imagery to strengthen boundaries,
- an extensive and thoughtful list of ways to improve and strengthen self-care,
- the ever-present need to assess for the possible relationship patterns that can come with the phrase "Never again", and,
- recognizing Imposter Syndrome as a possible barrier when dating.
Boundaries of Steel is my new "go-to" book for friends and clients alike who are wanting to grow their boundaries and expand their possibilities.
Boundaries of Steel: A Workbook for Managing and Recovering from Toxic Relationships takes a fresh and in-depth look into boundaries and toxic relationships.
The author touches on many aspects that previous authors who have tackled this subject matter have not including:
- the many ways to more effectively use imagery to strengthen boundaries,
- an extensive and thoughtful list of ways to improve and strengthen self-care,
- the ever-present need to assess for the possible relationship patterns that can come with the phrase "Never again", and,
- recognizing Imposter Syndrome as a possible barrier when dating.
Boundaries of Steel is my new "go-to" book for friends and clients alike who are wanting to grow their boundaries and expand their possibilities.
January 27, 2022
A well-written book on boundaries and other skills in healing from unhealthy relationships and starting healthy relationships. This book is clear and concise in it's descriptions. I'm glad it's not my first exposure to these ideas or I don't think I would've understood it. The descriptions are too short. This book describes what boundaries could be set, but doesn't talk about how to do it. Sometimes brief phrases or suggestions or examples are given, but I found more help from another book called Stop Caretaking the Narcissist or BPD which had more specific examples to learn from or follow. I think this book was meant to be used with a counselor or group. That would help readers understand the concepts more.
For me, it was a great review of most things (why set boundaries, people will push back, grieving what you've lost, self-care), yet added a few new ideas that I had not heard of from previous resources such as false concensus bias or trauma bonds. The best description of what boundaries are wasn't in the first chapter. It was in chapter 9 where it says that boundaries define how people can and cannot treat you (pg. 146). Each chapter has easy to understand activities at the end of the chapter, and good references for other books to read. Chapter 10 on healing was the most helpful for me. This book validated and briefly discussed many of the issues I have identified and worked on by myself. I think it's been a good book to read on my journey towards healthy relationships, but I needed other books to pave the way to this one or I would have been lost.
For me, it was a great review of most things (why set boundaries, people will push back, grieving what you've lost, self-care), yet added a few new ideas that I had not heard of from previous resources such as false concensus bias or trauma bonds. The best description of what boundaries are wasn't in the first chapter. It was in chapter 9 where it says that boundaries define how people can and cannot treat you (pg. 146). Each chapter has easy to understand activities at the end of the chapter, and good references for other books to read. Chapter 10 on healing was the most helpful for me. This book validated and briefly discussed many of the issues I have identified and worked on by myself. I think it's been a good book to read on my journey towards healthy relationships, but I needed other books to pave the way to this one or I would have been lost.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews