Healing Conversations: What to Say When You Don't Know What to Say (Hardcover)

by Nance Guilmartin (Author) "HOW ARE YOU?..." (more)
Key Phrases: Mary Kay, Valentine's Day

Editorial Reviews

New York Times, Books on Health review column, John Langone, July 30, 2002
This thoughtful book by a consultant and former broadcast journalist offers valuable help...when[asking], "What do I say when...?"

Review
"This little book is bang on. Would that I had it in my pocket every time I needed it the last thirty years. The pages would be threadbare."
—Thomas L. Goodgame, president emeritus, Westinghouse (CBS) Television Group

"Although understanding how to comfort someone only comes with living through difficult times, Nance's book helps you get started...taking those first steps toward helping someone in distress."
—Niki Tsongas, wife of the late U.S. Senator, Paul Tsongas

"Healing Conversations--what a beautiful concept. Not only does Nance Guilmartin offer a multitude of wise suggestions to help us show we care with our words, but just as important, she teaches us how to listen. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn how to really be there for those they care about."
—Beverly Engel, author, The Power of Apology

"After 30 years of working with people in pain, I have heard too many 'unhealing' conversations. It is time for all of us to learn that one word of kindness to someone in pain can begin their recovery. This book teaches us how to pause long enough to listen in to the silence of another's pain and to facilitate the body's potential to heal itself."
—James Walaski, Past Chair, American Massage Therapy National Sports Massage Education Council, Massage Therapist for the New York Yankees 1996-98, Keynote speaker at the 1997 Australian National Massage Therapy convention

"In twenty years of coaching managers to have difficult conversations, and having many of them myself, I realize that the fear we have in having that tough talk is actually worse than the conversation itself. [These] stories remove some of the stumbling blocks and [these] words, once read, are transformed into personal courage."
—Gwendy Longyear-Hayden, director, Human Capital Solutions Resources Connection

"Practical, friendly, and thoughtful guide for communication at home, school, and the workplace when confronting the challenge of healing broken relationships."
—Badi G. Foster president, Phelps-Stokes Fund, former director of Tufts University's Lincoln Filene Center for Citizenship and Public Affairs

"A tremendously important book that I could have used a hundred times before. Everyone who knows anyone in pain should read this book. It speaks right to the heart of the matter."
—Richard Carlson, Author of Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

"Healing Conversations helps us to find the language of the heart for ourselves and for those whose lives we touch."
—Frances Hesselbein, chairman of the Board of Governors of the Peter F. Drucker Foundation and past chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of America, USA

"Oh! Ms. Guilmartin! Where were you when I needed you! This little book is bang on. Would that I had it in my pocket every time I needed it the last 30 years. The pages would be threadbare."
—Thomas L. Goodgame, President Emeritus Westinghouse (CBS) Television Group

"Nance Guilmartin's Healing Conversations is an extraordinary, comprehensive blueprint for dealing with the slings and arrows of daily, stressful, sometimes hurting life. There are "healing conversations" for divorce, depression, sadness, separation, anger, loss. Especially after the tragedy of September 11, this book offers great comfort."
—Jeffrey Fox, Author, How to Become CEO: The Rules for Rising to the Top of Any Organization

"Like a healing conversation, this book teaches readers how to plumb the depths of their own experiences so that they are better prepared to hear the stories told by others. Nance Guilmartin leads her readers to understand how they can offer the healing power of compassionate conversation."
—Rev. Ellen C. Chahey, Minister of Visitation, Federated Churches of Hyannis, MA

"Your book will help clergy like myself to be more attuned to what people in trouble are saying. Hopefully, with God's help, we will guide them to hold onto life and help them see that it can be lived with meaning. I am speaking to my colleagues about having you come talk to us about your book. It will be a great teaching tool."
—Reverend Aram Marashlian, Secretary, Massachusetts' Firefighters Chaplains Association

"Healing Conversations offers a positive, empathetic approach to helping people in need. It puts them at ease. It also prepares us for how to use a humanitarian approach to dis-ease-that state when those of us who are trying to comfort someone, find ourselves ill at ease. Doctors, nurses, patients and their families all need your book, right now."
—Rudi Ansbacher, M.D., President The International Society for The Study of Humanistic Aspects of Medicine

"A Practical, friendly and thoughtful guide for communication at home, school, and the workplace when confronting the challenge of healing broken relationships. Required reading for civil discourse on implications of WTC disaster."
—Badi G. Foster, president, Phelps-Stokes Fund, former director of Tufts University's Lincoln Filene Center for Citizenship and Public Affairs

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