My Life As a Border Collie: Freedom from Codependency

by Nancy L. Johnston

Overview

In this fun, inviting look at a serious topic—codependence—Nancy L. Johnston shares the life lessons she learned from her observations of the relationship behaviors exhibited by her pet collie, Daisy: "The book began by my noticing behaviors in Daisy that resemble the codependent behaviors in me, which I have been working to moderate through my recovery. Daily I am struck by our tendencies to attend to others, to herd, to overreact."

Johnston's delightful book examines twelve specific behaviors that, in their extreme form, can be codependent. It also offers new information on codependence and help for it, including the latest research-supported findings, so that readers can understand "What am I doing that is not producing the relationship results I really want?"

Nancy L. Johnston, MS, LPC, LSATP, is a licensed psychotherapist and licensed substance abuse treatment practitioner in private practice in Lexington, Virginia. She has thirty-three years of clinical experience addressing a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues. Johnston specializes in treating adolescents and adults, and has always had a special interest in addiction and its effects on both individuals and family systems. Her first book, Disentangle: When You've Lost Your Self in Someone Else, was published by Central Recovery Press in 2011.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781936290925
Publisher:	Central Recovery Press, LLC
Publication date:	09/11/2012
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Nancy L. Johnston: Nancy L. Johnston, MS, LPC, LSATP, is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner in private practice in Virginia. She has a BS in Psychology from the College of William and Mary and a MS in Counseling Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University.

With thirty two years of clinical experience, she has developed the approach presented in her book, Disentangle, from both her professional and personal experiences. Johnston specializes in treating adolescents and adults. She works with a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues, and has always had a special interest in addiction and its effects on both individuals and family systems.

Johnston lives with her husband and daughter in an old house on a river in the Valley of Virginia.

Editorial Reviews

One look at the cover of this book and most readers, enchanted by the sweet photo of a border collie mutt, will say "I'll take it." And that would be a mistake. Psychotherapist and substance abuse treatment specialist Johnston's concept is creative and solid: use a cute cuddly pet to compare and contrast codependent behaviors. Johnston declares, "codependence... I think both Daisy the dog and I have got it." Her daughter, when vexed, complains, "You are such a border collie." Certainly, many of Johnston's observations are useful: herding is a key characteristic of codependency, except that "people cannot be herded. Like dogs, Codependents tend to be big-hearted, but, Johnston says, this can go wrong when we believe we can "fix and control others." Unfortunately, Johnston's comparisons throughout most of the book are lifeless, relying on good for dog/bad for human examples that can seem contrived. On the positive side, Johnston uses "Lessons Learned" sections in each chapter to help clarify her message. It's a book perhaps only a codependent or border collie owner might love. And like most good dog stories, it has an uplifting if bittersweet conclusion.
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Publishers Weekly

"A practical, easy-reading guide to codependency."—David Nelson, MD

"An exceptionally clear and accessible handbook."—Lisa Tracy, author of Objects of Our Affection

From the Publisher

This memoir is written in a very informal way with much duplication of stories to illustrate new and different points. The author is a dictionary aficionado who frequently defines fairly common terms throughout, apparently concerned that all readers are on the same page. Even at the end of the book she sees reiterates that she is talking about codependent behaviors, not the concept of codependency. The main point of the book seems to be demonstrating that the good qualities in both humans and border collies can be carried to an extreme, which can be damaging. It's a cute book but does not contain much new information; rather, it might be useful as reinforcement for someone troubled by codependent behaviors. The book was written over a period of ten years, which might explain some of the rather dated references included in the bibliography. VERDICT Optional purchase for dog lovers interested in self-help.—Margaret Cardwell, Memphis

Library Journal