Changes That Heal: How to Understand the Past to Ensure a Healthier Future [Mass Market Paperback]

Henry Cloud (Author)

Book Description

Release date: December 24, 1996

Never before has an expert defined the steps toward self-fulfillment and satisfying relationships with such clear, insightful, and easy-to-follow guidelines. In Changes That Heal, Dr. Henry Cloud, a renowned clinical psychologist, combines his expertise, well-developed faith, and keen understanding of human nature in a four-step program of healing and growth. Dr. Cloud's down-to-earth plan shows you how to: bond with others to form truly intimate relationships, separate from others and develop a sense of self, understand the good and bad in yourself and others, and grow emotionally and spiritually toward adulthood. Filled with fascinating case studies and helpful, easy-to-adopt techniques, Changes That Heal offers sound advice that helps you get the most out of your life, heal the wounds of your past, and build lasting, loving relationships.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Never before has an expert defined the steps toward self-fulfillment and satisfying relationships with such clear, insightful, and easy-to-follow guidelines. In Changes That Heal, Dr. Henry Cloud, a renowned clinical psychologist, combines his expertise, well-developed faith, and keen understanding of human nature in a four-step program of healing and growth. Dr. Cloud's down-to-earth plan shows you how to: bond with others to form truly intimate relationships, separate from others and develop a sense of self, understand the good and bad in yourself and others, and grow emotionally and spiritually toward adulthood. Filled with fascinating case studies and helpful, easy-to-adopt techniques, Changes That Heal offers sound advice that helps you get the most out of your life, heal the wounds of your past, and build lasting, loving relationships.

About the Author

Dr. Henry Cloud is a popular speaker, and co-host, with Dr. John Townsend, of the nationally broadcast New Life Live! Radio program, and cofounder of Cloud-Townsend Clinic and Cloud-Townsend Resources. His bestselling books include the Gold Medallion Award-winning Boundaries books and Making Small Groups Work. Dr. Cloud and his wife and two daughters live in Southern California. SPANISH BIO: El Dr. Henry Cloud es un conferenciante de gran popularidad. Con el Dr. John Townsend es anfitrion del programa de radio New Life Live!, ademas de ambos ser fundadores de la Clinica Cloud-Townsend y de la organizacion Cloud-Townsend Resources. Es el autor de varios libros premiados con el reconocimiento Medalla de Oro, entre ellos 'Limites' y 'El poder transformador de los grupos pequenos'. El Dr. Cloud, su esposa y sus dos hijas radican en el Sur de California.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (December 24, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310214637
• ISBN-13: 978-0310214632
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (132 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #260,705 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

113 of 117 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great help in looking at our past to ensure happier futures May 15, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

A-plus! This is a GREAT book that helped me understand how my past affected every area of my life (work, relationships, and my underlying attitudes). Although I had experienced great success in the business world, my personal relationships were suffering terribly and I was miserable on the inside. This book helped me understand why and how to change.

It clearly explained the important things I needed but didn't get out of each developmental stage while growing up from an infant to an adult. While reading the book, it became clear how I developed coping mechanisms to get through life--trying to get my needs met--with mixed results. On the outside, I was a picture of success, but on the inside I was tired, empty, unhappy and frustrated.

With this understanding, and a continued commitment to find new ways to think, act and live, I am now learning to live a life that promises to be happier and healthier. Thanks Dr. Cloud for your part in bringing about these changes in me!

I highly recommend other books written by Henry Cloud's (Safe People, Boundaries) as they are also well written and very good resources for healing the innermost areas of the heart and minds to help enjoy the journey to wholeness and joy!

'Changes That Heal' is a book that is informative and life changing. Change and Healing IS possible! Definitely worth reading! A-plus!

91 of 94 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Changes That Heal, paperback July 17, 2000

By M. Moody

Format:Mass Market Paperback

The four main points of this book can help any person understand more who they are and how they relate to others. Bonding, how to say "no", learning that people are neither all good nor all bad are points that Dr. Henry Cloud explains in a biblical and tangible way. The book is well-written, broken up in understandable sections and gives you something to think about at every turn. The author pulls from many people's life experiences and there are many examples of everyday people that you can relate to. You will find examples that help you understand the points he is trying to point out. This book is a must read.

There is a work book which goes along with the book, but Changes That Heal stands alone or can be enhanced by the workbook.

64 of 65 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Image Bearers March 5, 2006

By Pamela Simpson

Format:Paperback

What does it mean to be made in the image of God? People sometimes say that it means we have free will, or we have emotions and intellect, or we have a spirit. In Changes that Heal, Cloud describes part of his own theory of what it means to bear the image of God on this planet. He describes four major areas that are involved in bearing God's image: 1. Bonding to others 2. Separating from others 3. Sorting out good and bad in ourselves and others 4. Becoming an adult. For each of these four areas, he points out the picture we have in scripture of God's nature as He operates in the specific area, then describes how this aspect of man was broken in the fall, and suggests ways to move toward healing. The book is especially helpful when it describes case studies from Dr. Cloud's practice and shows which symptoms, or life problems, may result from failure to grow up in each of the areas.

There are a few weaknesses in the book. He doesn't include enough practical how-to for someone seeking healing, possibly because this requires help from healthy relationships and/or professionals. Also, the writing style tends to ramble and get a little tedious. You have to be pretty dedicated to getting the information in order to plod through to the end. Although the subject matter is not exactly duplicated, for a book along the same lines I much prefer John Townsend's Hiding from Love.

62 of 66 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful, considerate, and full of hope.... August 29, 2000

By Just-a-girl

Format:Audio Cassette

The difference between Dr. Cloud and some other Christians writers in this field is that he is so positive. He doesn't condemn people for suffering and struggling. He just prods us on to godliness and to dealing with the root issues of our symptoms. He will help you see what has caused your issues, what your issues truly are, and how those issues relate to the "symptoms" that you experience (depression, anxiety, etc). He gives constructive steps toward becoming a more whole and healthy person. I plan to listen to these tapes again and again.

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Life-changing Book September 1, 2001

By "[e-mail]"

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I have read many Christian books-this is my favorite. It opens on Truth and Grace and Time. Key elements of understanding our role in God's kingdom. It focuses on taking responsibility and quite honestly when not to. Dr. Cloud references scriptures at every turn so you can feel confident these teachings and wisdom, are biblical. My friends have noticed changes in my areas of acceptance and placing boundaries and it has helped our relationships tremendously. I have learned to love God more because of this book.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars let's get real March 31, 2007

By Ashley N. McCamant

Format:Paperback

I have read many books by Cloud & Townsend prior to this book-- How to Get a Date Worth Keeping, Boundaries, Boundaries in Dating, Safe People, and Nine Things You Simply Must Do: To Succeed in Love and Life. I read Changes that Heal in little bites-- usually no more than 30 minutes worth before bed each night. It touched on things I had never thought before, supported ideas explored in previous books, and brought a lot to the light. I learned a WHOLE lot about myself as I read this and processed it. And the beauty of it all, is that it was very direct, to the point, and calls you out on your issues without a hint of condemnation. I was challenged in areas no one had ever asked me to be accountable in and I was freed from condemnation (my own and others) in other areas. My "symptoms" make sense now because I am beginning to get to the roots of the issues. The wisdom and insight of these two men along with their genuine commitment to see people reconciled in all areas has been a great blessing to me.