Escaping Toxic Guilt: Five Proven Steps to Free Yourself from Guilt for Good!

by Susan Carrell

Overview

Your life's journey shouldn't be a guilt trip

Do you feel responsible for everyone around you? Do you value the feelings of others more than your own? Do you have unrealistic expectations of yourself? Then you may be trapped by toxic guilt.

Trying to win the approval of others—whether they are your parents, spouse, colleagues, friends, children, or church—while being trapped by toxic guilt can strain your relationships, drain your energy, and dominate your life. The five easy-to-follow steps in Escaping Toxic Guilt can liberate you from these self-defeating patterns and put you on the path to living life fully, joyfully, and on your own terms.

By following this simple, effective plan, you will be able to:

• Recognize the difference between good guilt and toxic guilt
• Build boundaries around your time and emotions
• Weather the storm of people's disapproval
• Find freedom through forgiveness and relinquishing control
• Protect your sense of self while still caring for others

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780071497350
Publisher:	McGraw Hill LLC
Publication date:	11/05/2007
Edition description:	List
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Susan Carrell, is a licensed professional counselor and therapist with more than twenty years of experience. She is also a registered nurse, with a specialization in psychiatric nursing, and a former hospital chaplain.

Table of Contents

Preface     v
Acknowledgments     ix
Introduction: A Hidden Net     xi
The Guilt Trap
What Is Guilt?     3
Naming Our Guilt     11
Sorting It Out: Case Studies     19
The Psychological Underpinnings of Guilt     37
The Dynamics of Guilt     51
The Cultural Underpinnings of Guilt     65
The Eight Situations
But I Can't Leave Him: He Needs Me!     87
But They're My Children!     97
Yes, Mom, of Course I'll Do It     107
But God Will Strike Me Down if I Don't     115
But They Won't Be Able to Function Without Me     123
So, Whose House Are You Going to This Thanksgiving?     133
But It'll Kill Them to Find Out I'm Gay     139
But They'll Be So Ashamed of Me     145
The Escape Plan
Step One: Speak the Truth     153
Step Two: Claim Territory     163
Step Three: Brace for the Storm     197
Step Four: Ride the Wind     217
Step Five: Patrol Borders     235
Index     249