Healing From Family Rifts : Ten Steps to Finding Peace After Being Cut Off From a Family Member (Paperback)

by Mark Sichel (Author), Mark Sichel (Author) "Whether you've been cut off by your family, or you've cut off a family member because of circumstances you find intolerable, you invariably undergo a..." (more)
Key Phrases: family that cuts, family cutoff, family estrangement, Mother's Day, New York, Father's Day (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Sichel encourages his reading audience to discover their family roles,… [keep] ‘a gratitude list,’… [and] talk about it." -- Meg Nugent, The Star-Ledger

"Sichel makes his feelings clear: Those who have been cut off from family have it bad." -- Devin Rose, Knight Ridder

"This book is sure to be read eagerly by those in difficult family situations." -- Kay Brodie, Library Journal

Product Description
Ten steps to surviving a family rift, finding peace, and moving on

A family rift is one of the most traumatic experiences a person can face. It can have a profound effect on virtually every aspect of life, causing depression, relationship problems, and even physical illness. Healing From Family Rifts offers hope to those coping with a split in their families. Family therapist Mark Sichel addresses the pain and shame connected with family rifts and offers a way through the crisis and on toward healing and fulfillment. Uniquely, Sichel does not assume that every rift will or even should be mended. Instead, he offers ways to recover from any outcome, including:

A 10-step process to come to terms with the family dynamics that led to the split
Methods to find peace and personal reconciliation
Skills that help to build a second family of people whose values are in line with one's own
Techniques to fight feelings of guilt when faced with a family rift

Includes inspiring and instructive stories drawn from the author's patients that help readers put their own situations in perspective.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (February 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071412425
• ISBN-13: 978-0071412421
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #84,665 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a must-read, October 14, 2004

By	D. Blume "David" (NY,NY) - See all my reviews

Mark Sichel's book offers practical and helpful advice from the first chapter to the last. I read about the book in the Ask Amy column in my newspaper (she replaced Ann Landers), bought it here, and have devoured it. His insight, compassion, and courage to share his personal experiences helped me to not feel crazy about the situation with my own family, and his practical suggestions for repairing a fractured family are like a Bible for the dysfunctional family. I highly recommend this book. I think other readers who have been suffering as I had will feel relieved, calmer, and saner after reading Sichel's book. If you're having estrangement issues or chronic feuding with your family, this is the book for you.

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Help the Healing!, March 31, 2004

By	acmeharpoon (Montreal, Canada) - See all my reviews

This book allowed me to go on with my life.  I felt like a total flop as a mother  because my son and his wife haven't spoken to me and won't return calls or letters or allow me to see my grandchildren. As I read the book, I learned I need to focus on all the succesful relationships in my life. I finally feel okay knowing I made every effort to mend things and they refuse to do so.   I highly recommend it to anyone who's got a relative who's said that they're never again speaking to them, especially to a parent who's going through a tragedy like mine. The author is smart, compassionate, and gives many practical tools for moving on and feeling better about yourself, whether you can heal the relationship or not.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful and Helpful Book!, March 23, 2004

By	Martin Andersen (New York Metro) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book really cuts to the heart of the subject of losing one's family. What I really like about the book is the author's empathetic and effective approach to understanding, coping, and finally recovering from the tragedy of involuntary exile from family or relative. Step by step, he makes it possible to understand and deal with an often deeply painful life trauma. Mr. Sichel gives us all the gory details: but the book is ultimately one of hope and healing. As someone who has in some measure experienced family cutoff, I found the book to be of great comfort and usefulness; and would unconditionally recommend it to anyone who faces similar circumstances, or to those who know a friend or loved one going through such an ordeal.