The Journey from Heartbreak to Connection [Paperback]

Susan Anderson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2003

Expanding on the ideas set forth in Anderson's first book, The Journey from Abandonment to Healing, this follow-up is a workshop in abandonment recovery-to help develop trust, build new relationships, and learn to love again. Inspired by her ever-growing readership, The Journey from Heartbreak to Connection offers accessible techniques, guidelines, and signposts for healing.

A manual for individual or support group use, it includes exercises that the author has tested and developed throughout her years of expertise in abandonment recovery.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Susan Anderson is a psychotherapist who has devoted over 25 years of clinical experience and research to working with the victims of abandonment trauma, heartbreak, and loss. She is the founder of the Abandonment Recovery movement, leading workshops in Manhattan and nationally. Her website, abandonment.net, reaches out to abandonment survivors as well as clinicians throughout the world.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade (July 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 042519020X
• ISBN-13: 978-0425190203
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #715,350 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Susan Anderson, CSW, is a psychotherapist who has specialized in helping clients deal with heartbreak, loss and abandonment for more than 25 years. She has led workshops on abandonment recovery, conducts seminars and lectures, and has appeared on radio and television speaking on the related issues of addiction, parenting and abandonment.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Journey to Healing, February 3, 2004

By 

Robert J. Hogan (Albuquerque, New Mexico) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Journey from Heartbreak to Connection (Paperback)

This book has had a profound positive effect on my life. I went through a painful breakup just a couple of months before I happened to come upon this book in the bookstore. I was so upset about my breakup, I lost over 30 lbs, (and I was thin to begin with), was put on an anti-depression by my doctor and started seeing a Therapist 3 days a week because I was suicidal. This book truely helped me to let go and to realize that loving yourself is the path to healing. It also taught me how to take my ex off the pedestal and see my relationship for what it really was and to move on with my life. This book helped me to gain a feeling of self-worth and to truely realize that I will love again and someone will love me again, but the most important thing is to love yourself.

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gently Written with Lots of Room for Personal Process, January 22, 2004

By 

Julie Jordan Scott "Writer, Life Coach - Owne... (Bakersfield, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Journey from Heartbreak to Connection (Paperback)

There is a lot of gold to be found in this book, especially for people who feel abandonment in relationship to a romantic relationship lost.

I picked the book up NOT because I was in this situation, instead because I have had "abandonment issues" (that sounds so stale) and also I think the entire concept really spreads across our culture as a whole.

Anderson separates the "platitudes" from her own 12 Swan Lessons and Gestures which she took deeper after having a romantic break as a known and respected "abandonment expert".

I was struck by her courage in applying her own teachings and deepening them to create this book which is chock full of exercises, questionnaires, places to take concept deeper.

Another piece that "book readers alone" might miss that Anderson engages and moves the reader to is taking an "Action Vow"... I wanted to stand up and applaud when I read that section.

My only real criticism is the title, which should let the reader know this is about ROMANTIC abandonment... and can be applied to other areas. It really zeros in, for the most part, on the romantic side.

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for all you "abandonholics" out there!, December 28, 2005

By 

Jeffrey C. Schinsky "kyanqaza" (Colorado Spring, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Journey from Heartbreak to Connection (Paperback)

I just wanted to comment on another reviewer's words before I give my review. The book does zero in on getting past abandonment to establish a healthy romantic relationship, but the things that made you an abandoment victim may or may NOT have had anything to do with with prior romantic situations. See more in my review that follows:

I got involved with a woman who has abandonment issues that stretch back to her disapproving/abusive father, all the way up through two abusive ex-husbands. All she's ever known was abandoment (at least from an emotional perspective). Abandonment, according to this book, can cause a person create all sorts of obstacles to true emotional intimacy because they're afraid of being hurt again. Thanks, in part, to this book, we're getting past many of our respective issues (I was dumped by an ex-wife) and learning how to love each other without reservation. If you've been emotionally OR physically abandoned in your life (even if it was just an alcoholic or "absent" parent), you could be what the book calls an "abandonholic." Get this book... it's full of good stuff to help get you out of a truly destuctive mindset.