Reptiles in Love : Ending Destructive Fights and Evolving Toward More Loving Relationships

by Don Ferguson

• ISBN13: 9780787983888
• ISBN10: 0787983888
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2006-05-01
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Summary

Nagging, snide comments, passive-aggressive tendencies, running away, childish insults; sometimes even the most loving couples can revert to their primitive nature. Don Ferguson, a psychologist and relationship therapist, has discovered that no matter how evolved we think we are, our reptilian brain is still primed for instantaneous reactions and fight-or-flight. This syndrome can rule relationships and in the end destroy them. Through the latest neurological research, Ferguson has discovered how to manage our primitive reactions with thoughtful, "new brain" interventions. Written in a highly entertaining and readable way, Reptiles in Love has an answer for helping couples to stop attacking each other and transform their dysfunctional, prehistoric relationship into a more evolved and loving partnership.

Table of Contents

Preface: Be Like Elvis! But Less Dead

Introduction

Understanding the Reptile in Us

The Dinosaur Legacy: Why We Fight Poorly

Lizard Madness: Understanding Methods and Cycles in Stupid Fighting

Five Steps to Ending Destructive Fights and Evolving Toward More Loving Relationships

Step One: Assess Your Relationship

Step Two: Learn to Communicate in a Nonreptilian Manner

Step Three: Clarify Your Needs and Fears Together

Step Four: Add Positives and Build Intimacy

Step Five: Learn Nonreptilian Lovemaking

Special Issues for Evolving Reptiles

Once Bitten...: Surviving Betrayal

Reptiles in Therapy: An Introduction to Couples Therapy

Pure Divorce: If You Must, End and Leave Fully Human

Afterword: A Few Words in Closing

Notes

Resources

About the Author

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.