by SaraKay Smullens, M.S.W., L.C.S.W., B.C.D.

Emotional abuse is a hidden secret that knows no economic, religious or gender boundaries. The cycle of emotional abuse often begins in childhood within the confines of the family, leaving an individual vulnerable and entrapping him or her in future dysfunctional relationships in adulthood with friends, co-workers and lovers. SaraKay Smullens likens this emotional abuse dynamic to a neverending, unbroken cycle. Like a highly contagious disease, it can spread among family members and friends, poison work and love relationships and infect the next generation.

In this supportive and inspiring book, Smullens offers an eye-opening perspective on what emotional abuse is, why it happens and how to deal with it. Most significantly, she shows how to recognize this profoundly wounding and destructive cycle.

In this long anticipated sequel to the bestselling, Whoever Said Life Is Fair?, SaraKay Smullens offers invaluable and hard won insights that are life altering. She candidly and courageously tells her own story as well as those of the many clients she has worked with and helped change their lives. Combined with practical tools like exercises, quizzes and checklists, readers will learn to move forward emotionally, break the cycle of emotional abuse and experience healing. In this way, they will protect their children’s futures, as well as their own.

SaraKay Smullens, M.S.W., L.C.S.W., B.C.D., a marriage and family counselor in private practice for over twenty years, is a frequent guest columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News and has appeared on Oprah as well as numerous radio and television interview programs. She received her masters degree from the University of Pennsylvania and has taught at Temple University, Hahnemann Medical College and the Philadelphia College of the Arts. The mother of four, she and her husband live in Philadelphia.

* September 2002 Release