Amazon Growth Central *Growth Central Category:  Relationships Publisher: Growth Publishing ISBN-10:  1893505138 Type: Non-Fiction Pages: 212 Copyright: Apr 1 2000 ISBN-13: 9781893505131 Readers learn clearly described relationship skills, which lead to the resolution of differences in needs, thoughts, and feelings. This inspiring guide is user-friendly and designed for those who are seeking more meaning and healthy growth in their relationship. The author explains that creating real relationships can be the most challenging and potentially rewarding of all human endeavors. Readers learn clearly described relationship skills, which lead to the resolution of differences in needs, thoughts, and feelings. This inspiring guide is user-friendly and designed for those who are seeking more meaning and healthy growth in their relationship. The author explains that creating real relationships can be the most challenging and potentially rewarding of all human endeavors. This book tells how two individuals can develop a relationship that will support, encourage and nurture their real self. People who grew up in emotionally healthy families have a head start in learning how to build a real relationship, but the good news according to the author is that everyone can learn these skills. Key skills for building real relationships include: Overcoming the power of difference and letting go of the fantasy that your partner should change to become just like you, Overcoming your own anger and that of your partner, Overcoming the power of shame, Overcoming anxiety and the potentially damaging effects on the relationship, Overcoming distorted thinking. Available directly from Growth Publishing, 750 Columbus Ave, Suite 9S, New York, NY, 10025      Excerpt Real Relationships can be a reservoir of great human joy on one hand and/or deepest pain on the other. Love begins with both dreams and fantasy: the hope of being understood, known, and truly accepted; the hope of being safe and making another safe, of belonging; the hope of deep passion; the hope of a lasting and transforming bond. But hope collides with the realities of love. Any two partners are going to have different needs, anger results, judgments erode away the once flowing acceptance, and loneliness seeps into increasingly distant lives. Partners who make a Real Relationship work have certain skills. Couples who know and practice core interpersonal skills form relationships that endure, deepen and grow. That's the Good News, because you can decide to learn new skills by learning and practicing. This book will help you develop and hone the skills you need to create and maintain a Real Relationship and to keep love alive. The focus is on action and change by providing skills and concepts for overcoming the underlying dynamics of difference and shame. This means that you can't just passive sit and read. You'll need to get involved by risking new behaviors and trying new responses. It will take patience and persistence, and sometimes courage. But your hopes and dreams are worth the effort. A Real Relationship will not happen by chance or because you understand more, or your partner undergoes some surprise change, but because you and your partner are more skillful at being a couple.

Metaphysical Reviews
"A real relationship is defined, in part, as two people supporting, encouraging and nurturing themselves, and each other. Author Rich Pfeiffer shows you that not only is this possible, it is possible to achieve even with all the baggage we bring along.

In his powerful new book, he points out the key is developing the ability to express one's own true self. What sets this book apart from the others is a focus on the dynamics of difference and shame. By teaching us how to overcome these dynamics, Dr. Pfeiffer enables the reader to change unhealthy, wounded relationships into healthy ones."