Hold Me Tight

Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love

Contributors

By Dr. Sue Johnson

Formats and Prices

On Sale
Apr 8, 2008
Page Count
320 pages
Publisher
Little Brown Spark
ISBN-13
9780316113007

Price

$32.00

Price

$42.00 CAD

MORE THAN 1 MILLION COPIES SOLD!

Strengthen and deepen your relationships with revelatory practical exercises, seven profound conversations, and sage advice from clinical psychologist Dr. Sue Johnson.

“the best couple’s therapist in the world” —John Gottman, PhD, bestselling author
 
Are you looking to enrich a healthy relationship, revitalize a tired one, or rescue one gone awry? We all want a lifetime of love, support, and companionship. But sometimes we need a little help.
 
Enter Dr. Sue Johnson, developer of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy and “the most original contributor to couple’s therapy to come along in the last thirty years,” according to Dr. William J. Doherty, PhD. In Hold Me Tight, Dr. Johnson shares her groundbreaking and remarkably successful program for creating stronger, more secure relationships.
 
The message of Hold Me Tight is simple: Forget about learning how to argue better, analyzing your early childhood, making grand romantic gestures, or experimenting with new sexual positions. Instead, get to the emotional underpinnings of your relationship by recognizing that you are emotionally attached to and dependent on your partner in much the same way that a child is on a parent for nurturing, soothing, and protection. Dr. Johnson teaches that the way to enhance or save a relationship is to be open, attuned, and responsive to each other and to reestablish emotional connection. With this in mind, she focuses on key moments in a relationship and uses them as touch points for seven healing conversations, including:  

  • Recognizing the Demon Dialogues
  • Finding the Raw Spots
  • Revisiting a Rocky Moment
  • Forgiving Injuries
  • Keeping Your Love Alive

These conversations give you insight into the defining moments in your relationship and guide you in reshaping these moments to create a secure and lasting bond.
 
Through stories from Dr. Johnson’s practice, illuminating advice, and practical exercises, you will learn how to nurture, protect, and grow your relationship, ensuring a lifetime of love.

  • "A much needed message to all couples and therapists and I recommend it to all."
    Harville Hendrix, Ph.D., author of Getting the Love You Want and Receiving Love
  • "At last, a road map through Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy with its creator. Dr. Johnson's superb science, humor, and clinical wisdom are finally accessible to all of us. I couldn't pick a smarter, warmer, and more real guide for this journey."
    John Gottman, Ph.D., bestselling author of The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work and coauthor of And Baby Makes Three
  • "There's something appealing about this book's honest, no-holds-barred approach. By creating complete emotional safety and by willing to be fearless about it, it seems to me, not only can real love be kept alive, it can flourish"
    Boston Globe
  • Sue Johnson [is] the most original contributor to couples therapy to come along in the last 30 years. This book will touch your heart, stimulate your mind, and give you practical strategies for improving your marriage. It will be an instant classic.
    William J. Doherty, Ph.D., author of Take Back Your Marriage
  • Wonderful!...Hold Me Tight blends the best in research findings with practical suggestions from a caring and compassionate clinician. This fabulous book will be of great benefit...to couples trying to find their way to better communication and deeper, more fulfilling ways of being with each other. Bravo!
    Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., author of Parenting from the Inside Out
  • A truly revolutionary, breakthrough book... the most important, valuable book for couples published in the 21st century.
    Barry McCarthy, Ph.D., author of Getting It Right the First Time

Dr. Sue Johnson

About the Author

Dr. Sue Johnson, until her death in 2024, was a clinical psychologist, professor, researcher, a sought-after presenter & speaker and a pioneer in developing the field of psychotherapy. She transformed our understanding of how humans flourish through secure attachment, empowering individuals, couples, and families worldwide to heal, thrive, and build meaningful relationships rooted in connection and trust. 

She continues to be an internationally recognized leader and innovator in the field of couple interventions, adult attachment, and change in psychotherapy through her creation and development of Emotionally Focused Therapy. She was the founder of the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT): iceeft.com.

Johnson was a prolific and the best-selling author of numerous professional articles and books, including books for the general public: Hold Me Tight, Love Sense, Created for Connection and The Hold Me Tight Workbook. She also created several programs for groups as well as online versions for couples based on Hold Me Tight and Created for Connection.

Sue Johnson received numerous awards for her work including the Order of Canada, 

Her legacy website is drsuejohnson.com

Learn more about this author