Hold Me Tight
by Dr. Sue Johnson
Summary
Written by the developer of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), one of the most research-validated couples therapy approaches available, this book distills that clinical method into seven conversations designed to rebuild emotional connection. For couples stuck in a repeating negative cycle, this offers both an explanation of the cycle and a structured way out of it.
Who it's for
Couples who keep having the same argument in different forms, and want a structured, therapeutically grounded way to break the cycle and rebuild connection.
Key takeaways
- How to identify the specific negative cycle (like pursue-withdraw) that repeats beneath surface-level arguments
- Seven structured conversations designed to move a relationship from conflict back toward emotional safety
- The emotional needs (rooted in attachment) that most relationship conflicts are actually protecting
Sue Johnson developed Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), which has one of the strongest research bases of any couples therapy approach, and this book brings that clinical framework directly to readers rather than requiring a therapist as an intermediary.
Its central insight is that most repeating relationship conflicts aren’t really about the surface topic — they’re protective moves around deeper attachment needs — and the seven conversations it walks through are designed to get underneath the surface argument to what’s actually driving it.
Available on Amazon
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