In this book, psychotherapist David Richo explores how we replay the past in our present-day relationships—and how we can free ourselves from this destructive pattern. We all have a tendency to transfer potent feelings, needs, expectations, and beliefs from childhood or from former relationships onto the people in our daily lives, whether they are our intimate partners, friends, or acquaintances. When the Past Is Present  helps us to become more aware of the ways we slip into the past so that we can identify our emotional baggage and take steps to unpack it and put it where it belongs.

Drawing on decades of experience as a psychotherapist, Richo helps readers to: Understand how the wounds of childhood become exposed in adult relationships—and why this is a gift Identify and heal the emotional wounds we carry over from the past so that they won't sabotage present-day relationships Recognize how strong attractions and aversions to people in the present can be signals of own own unfinished business Use mindfulness to stay in the present moment and cultivate authentic intimacy...

This book offers a fresh and inspiring approach to personal growth, one that taps into our inherent creativity and the versatility of poetry. In Being True to Life psychotherapist David Richo explains how writing and reading poetry can be a rich path of self-exploration and emotional healing for anyone, no matter one’s poetic abilities.

Richo offers a range of practical exercises for exploring how poetry can help us to become more aware, to heal, and to grow emotionally and spiritually. Exercises include free writing; composing autobiographical poems; writing a poem to your fears; and composing poems based on childhood memories, significant experiences, and dreams. Richo also offers guidance on how to read poetry in a way that can be personally transformative....

Using the metaphor of the heroic journey--departure, struggle and return--the author shows readers the way to psychological and spiritual health....