Learn how therapy can help you create the life you desire. Ready to Talk: A Companion Guide to Psychotherapy is a hands-on guide for anyone currently engaged in psychotherapy or considering it for the first time. It's also well-suited for those who've tried psychotherapy in the past but were dissatisfied with results. As an experienced psychotherapist, author Mary Sanger has often heard questions such as, "How does therapy work?" and "How long will I need to be in therapy?" Of course, the answers are different for everyone but Sanger recognized in her own practice that her clients could not only enhance but also expedite their therapy if they had ongoing access to some basic, pragmatic information about how the therapeutic process works. In straightforward language and an easy-to-read format, Sanger explains how one's past may inform one's present, but that it doesn't have to rule it. Essentially, each of us is the author of our own story. Ready to Talk helps you get the most out of therapy as quickly as possible. In Ready to Talk, Sanger discusses in detail the difference between simply "feeling better" (which frequently occurs in the early stages of therapy) and "getting better" (which creates lasting positive changes but requires commitment and regular client participation). With an emphasis on the Family Systems Theory developed by Dr. Murray Bowen, Sanger streamlines the process of knowing and understanding the basic self - providing questionnaires, client examples and interactive exercises that give the therapeutic client opportunities to "do the work" between sessions as well as thoughtfully prepare for appointments so that the client can to make the most of them. Readers will learn how to challenge current beliefs that are no longer serving them well, recognize and change unhelpful thought patterns and self-defeating behaviors, manage emotions so that relationships are more enjoyable, and understand how others' beliefs and emotions don't have to control their lives. It's an indispensable book for those seeking a healthier, richer, and more pleasurable daily life. The chapter titles are: Chapter 1"What Brings You Here?": Why People Seek Therapy Chapter 2What Goes On in the Room?: How Does Therapy Work? Chapter 3What Are the Goals of Therapy?: Feeling Better vs. Getting Better Chapter 4Thoughts and Feelings: What's the Difference? Chapter 5Differentiation of Self: Come Here - Now, Go Away! Chapter 6Managing Feelings: Feelings Are Neither Good Nor Bad Chapter 7The Importance of Journaling: Seeing is Believing Chapter 8Relationship Patterns: Healthy Relationship Require Healthy People Chapter 9Growing a Basic Self: Meet Your New Best Friend - YOU Chapter 10Distorted Thinking: It's Not What You Think Chapter 11Defense Mechanisms: Are They "Evil" or Necessary? Chapter 12Boundaries: Respect for Others Begins with Self Chapter 13Communication: Ready to Talk - with Others Chapter 14It's Complicated: Setbacks, Obstacles and Stumbling Blocks Chapter 15Our Time is Up: Conclusion