Surviving and Thriving in Stepfamily Relationships

What Works and What Doesn’t

By: Patricia L. Papernow

Narrated by: Chloe Cannon

Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Surviving and Thriving in Stepfamily Relationships draws on current research, a wide variety of clinical modalities, and 30 years of clinical work with stepfamily members to describe the special challenges stepfamilies face. The book presents the concept of "stepfamily architecture" and the five challenges it creates, and delineates three different levels of strategies - psychoeducation, building interpersonal skills, and intrapsychic work - for meeting those challenges in dozens of different settings. 

The model is designed to be useful both to stepfamily members themselves and to a wide variety of practitioners, from a highly trained clinician who needs to know how and when to work on all three levels, to a school counselor or clergy person who may work on the first two levels but refer out for level three. It will also be useful to educators, judges, mediators, lawyers, and medical personnel who will practice on the first level, but need to understand the other two to guide their work. 

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio. 

©2013 Patricia L. Papernow (P)2019 Tantor

Wow!

I am not a Counselor myself, but a stepmother of 12 years. I have gained so much insight from listening to this audiobook. I will most certainly listen to it again, in chunks. If I could have found this book 12 years ago, my family’s transition to a blended family would’ve been much easier. Highly recommend.

excellent resource

Full of applicable techniques and research made all the more accessible with the support of case studies! If you work with step families this is a must have resource!

great information

I felt like this book helped me to understand some situations, and also connect with many of the situations in the book. A good read

Stepparent with high conflict

as a stepparent in a high conflict separation this was incredibly helpful. now i better understand the struggles for my spouse and step kids, and recognize the need for their bonding time without me or without feeling guilty for it

super helpful

I work as a guardian ad litem in the domestic relations court and I found this book very helpful in understanding extended family dynamics

Is fantastic! Must listen to book for stepparents

This book was a phenomenal resource to understand the dynamics When dating as a parent or dating a parent. We'll probably listen to again to make sure I catch all the great tips held in this book. Could not recommend it highly enough. I hope she will create an audio book for her other recent publication, the step family Hamburg.

I wish

I wish I had had this book 19 years ago when I was married to my now ex husband. I was not who I desired to be for myself or my step daughters.

As the tables have turned and my children have been the step kids, I wish I had known better how to communicate. I wish I had been better at mirroring and I wish as a couple we had had this information instead of blogs and misinformed "information" that only further tore us apart.

I don't care where you are in your relationship with your partner or step children, whether you've had counseling or not, this book is an invaluable resource!

Audibook prioritizing safe & positive relationship

Many families endure lifelong pains and vulnerabilities after suffering separation or loss of a partner. Patricia and Chloe, committed this book to aiding these broken families recouple. The research and experience inspires reconnecting and exploration to start new family loyalty bonds. Trained professionals, Patricia and Chloe, share case studies and the work it took to bridge differences when faced with coparenting challenges. I enjoyed the audiobook. I would recommend it to step and blended families recovering, joining and forging new connections.