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Comments from Readers
The Art of Changing "One of the most helpful little books that I have read recently is The Art of Changing: Your Path to a Better Life by Susan Peabody. In a concise way she hits the big items involved when a person gets serious about changing their life for the better, i.e. willingness, taking action, getting help, helping others, building self-esteem, embracing spirituality, treating depression, healing the wounds of the past, and forgiving ourselves and others. She begins her work with a profound quote from her personal journey, “Change is to human life what the metamorphosis is to the caterpillar; it is the inevitable cycle of life. If there is no change, there is no life.” I was not looking for an in-depth analysis of the mysterious and difficult process of changing. I was looking for inspiration and I found it. Susan did it. I can too." Pastor from Raytown
I think "The Art of Changing" is your best work as it speaks to the most common short term diagnosis in psychotherapy which is "adjustment disorder." When I read it, I hear echoes from an undergraduate elective class in the psychology of adjustment. I think the textbook for the course was "I never knew I had a choice" by Corey? Anyways, Susan, you like your Jungian metaphorical exploration of your personal symbology. I think "The Art of Changing" is a work that speaks to both clients and professionals. I found items within this book to be personally enlightening and relevant to my experience and process of growth and change. James
I love this book it has changed the way I think. It's therapy without the bill. Catherine
Addiction to Love
“Love addiction is a three-headed serpent that Susan Peabody adeptly slays. This is the quintessential book for any love addict or counselor needing to fully understand this highly prevalent and complex disorder. Susan detects and dissects aspects of this condition not comprehended in other books of its kind. Recovery is possible. This book makes it possible to take the succinct steps necessary towards a loving and reciprocal, long-term intimate relationship." (Sudi Scull MFT,CN, is a psychotherapist and nutritionist, specializing in relationships and addictions.)
“I have just recently finished reading your book and wanted you to know that it has saved my life. Maybe this sounds crazy, but it’s true. I wasn’t going to get help for my addiction until I read this book. I was in the final stage of addiction when I purchased it on a whim. At that stage, according to the book, it’s either death or intervention. So in a way your book was my intervention. As I write this, it is 3:00 a.m. in the morning and I should be sleeping. But I now have chronic stress-related problems, and I’m in fear of losing my job. But thanks to your book, I begin therapy today, and I now have a hope that I never had before. Over 33 years of trying to kill myself for love, I finally feel like I have a chance for real happiness. Thank you for writing this book, you’ve helped to save my life.” (Leah Prestwood)
“I am a 38 year old male and I just finished reading your book Addiction to Love. When I came upon it in the book store, by accident, I read one paragraph at random and almost passed out right then. It took every ounce of energy not to burst into tears right there. That book is me. I’m sure you have had thousands of letters from people about the book. I’ve never written to someone like this before, but I just had to thank you for writing something that has touched me in a way I will be unable to adequately explain. I’m going though a lot of pain, confusion, etc. on my latest relationship failure, however, your book has given me some hope that I may now understand why I do the things I do, and will finally allow me to go into counseling and get help for an addiction that has ruined my life.” (Steve Anderson)
“There are many books on the subject; one you might find helpful is Addiction to Love: Overcoming Obsession and Dependency in Relationships.” (“Ask Amy” from the Chicago Tribune—Ann Lander's successor)
“This [book] is a compilation of Susan Peabody's course on Addiction to Love which she composed and leads at her local adult school. It is a lovely little book with pleasing chapter title pages, lively doses of healing, and lots of epiphanic information. Chapters are: Looking For Love; Contributing Factors That Influence Potential Love Addicts; Symptoms of Addiction to Love and Suggestions for change; How Addiction to Love Progresses; Recovery; and Starting Over Again. This is also a book with suggested further reading at the end of each lesson and a bibliography that is impressive.... Peabody's experience and research adds a vital clue to who is likely to become a love addict. After the long-standing examples of youngsters whose bonding with their primary caretaker (usually mothers) is either damaged or unhealthily severed, Peabody adds the peer-rejected youngsters.... What are the symptoms of Addiction to Love? Many and various and clearly set out in Chapter 3. Read them and weep. I recommend this little tome for every throne room where young adults and the young-at-heart hang out; certainly for waiting rooms and clinics. Give a copy to someone as they head into puberty or to that good friend who’s on her 7th relationship or that buddy you just know is going to blow it with his newest. And if you think you're free and clear, read the book yourself, just to make sure, naturally!” (Book review by Reba Be, in the Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients)
“Helpful, insightful and easy to read : This book helped me see and understand some unhealthy patterns in my current relationship. If you have relationships that continue to go sour or if you see recurring patterns in your current relationship, I would recommend this book to you. If you are constantly hoping, wishing and waiting for the other person to change, read this book. It helps you realize the changes that need to happen must come from within and how to realize those changes.” (Anonymous reader)
“Unlike other love addiction/codependency books: This book offers so many tools to help you recognize your patterns and how to work through them to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have read it 3 times and find some new tool each time, possibly growing as I go. Excellent.” (Anonymous reader in Texas)
“This book helped a great deal. In particular, I found it lifesaving to know that there was a narcissistic personality type—and I'd married one. There were times I thought I was going crazy dealing with my wife, but Susan Peabody's book helped me to see that I wasn't always guilty or always wrong. The relationship between my codependency and love addiction to a narcissist was defined in non-threatening terms, and I found myself more able to separate from her as a result of reading this book. Additionally, the strategies for getting and maintaining healthy relationships mentioned in this work continue to be of great help to me.” (Scott Chamberlain)
“Written from the heart, this painfully honest book, just released in an expanded second edition, is based in part on Peabody’s own struggles with destructive relationships. . . . [he goes on to describe the book. He ends with] Even those fortunate enough not to see themselves in the book are almost sure to have a better understanding of relatives, friends, or past lovers.” (From the Berkeley Insider)
I want to start out by saying thank you for writing the book Addiction to Love. It has truly opened up things I never knew. I just want you to know I was reading your book and 142 pages later I was in tears from knowing that you had wrote about me and you dont even know me. Really, I know it wasnt me but I felt as if you knew my life all to well.
Your writings have changed my life. All kinds of emotions are coming up but it's good.
I have suffered from chronic and debilitating depression for more than half of my life and only just realized that I suffer from love addiction. I just finished reading your book, Addiction to Love and found it to be the best book i have read on the subject. I just wanted to let you know how thankful I am to have found your book and your website.
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