Changes That Heal

Rating:
Summary: Life-changing Book
Review: I have read many Christian books-this is my favorite. It opens on Truth and Grace and Time. Key elements of understanding our role in God's kingdom. It focuses on taking responsibility and quite honestly when not to. Dr. Cloud references scriptures at every turn so you can feel confident these teachings and wisdom, are biblical. My friends have noticed changes in my areas of acceptance and placing boundaries and it has helped our relationships tremendously. I have learned to love God more because of this book.

Rating:
Summary: great balance of practical and theoretical
Review: I was surprised at some reviews here, e.g. those that said book was unstructured (read the chapter titles: the structure could not be clearer) or that the authors did not provide any solutions (easily half the book is practical, concrete strategies and suggestions). What I like best about Changes That Heal and other books by Henry Cloud and his frequent co-author John Townsend is the great balance of practical and theoretical. They go into considerable detail about the reasons for certain problems; they provide lots of case studies; and they give numerous practical devices such as checklists (e.g. to test whether I have certain feelings, attitudes etc.) and direct suggestions. Of course, these suggestions are not simple--no "take 2 aspirin" approaches here. Changing and healing require--surprise--lots of work!!

Rating:
Summary: simple and strait forward
Review: The difference between Dr. Cloud and some other Christians writers in this field is that he is so positive. He doesn't condemn people for suffering and struggling. He just prods us on to godliness and to dealing with the root issues of our symptoms. He will help you see what has caused your issues, what your issues truly are, and how those issues relate to the "symptoms" that you experience (depression, anxiety, etc). He gives constructive steps toward becoming a more whole and healthy person. I plan to listen to these tapes again and again.

Rating:
Summary: Changes That Heal, paperback
Review: The four main points of this book can help any person understand more who they are and how they relate to others. Bonding, how to say "no", learning that people are neither all good nor all bad are points that Dr. Henry Cloud explains in a biblical and tangible way. The book is well-written, broken up in understandable sections and gives you something to think about at every turn. The author pulls from many people's life experiences and there are many examples of everyday people that you can relate to. You will find examples that help you understand the points he is trying to point out. This book is a must read.

There is a work book which goes along with the book, but Changes That Heal stands alone or can be enhanced by the workbook.

Rating:
Summary: Incredible and terrible
Review: There are few books out there that play on the borders of both worthlessness and pricelessness. This is one of them.

Cloud brings out life-changing principles in his analysis of boundaries, bonding, good and evil, and adulthood. It has the potential of completely revamping your view of healthy interaction with others (and God).

At the same time, it is very poorly written. I found it to be unstructured, long-winded, and completely unengaging in many places. Moreover, there is frequent misuse of scripture and a number of statements that could be taken to horribly unhealthy extremes.

Read the book. Be changed, but be wary.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting, but does not suggest change
Review: This is an interesting theory that people who are lacking emotionally fail in one of four areas: bonding, boundaries, ability to accept and exert authority, and ability to discern right from wrong. What's missing from the book are ways to remedy the lack in each of these "growth areas." In addition, what the book doesn't seem to acknowledge is that bonding and boundaries (and perhaps the other two areas, as well) are tightly coupled, so that if a person were difficient in one, he would probably be in the others, as well. I like his analysis, but would have preferred suggestions for how to take care of those areas that are lacking.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting, but does not suggest change
Review: This is an interesting theory that people who are lacking emotionally fail in one of four areas: bonding, boundaries, ability to accept and exert authority, and ability to discern right from wrong. What's missing from the book are ways to remedy the lack in each of these "growth areas." In addition, what the book doesn't seem to acknowledge is that bonding and boundaries (and perhaps the other two areas, as well) are tightly coupled, so that if a person were difficient in one, he would probably be in the others, as well. I like his analysis, but would have preferred suggestions for how to take care of those areas that are lacking.