Jim Butler has served as a licensed, registered counsellor in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada for over 19 years. His emphasis is on individual, couple, and family counselling. In those 19 years, Jim has become a trusted authority on personal growth/transformation, verbal and emotional abuse counselling and prevention, as well as proactive relationship coaching.
This book offers practical tools for men facing unhealthy power dynamics in their intimate relationships. Most powerfully, the book offers a practical toolkit for escaping relationships that are hurtful rather than loving. (Kathleen Thompson, PhD, MSW, RSW, Co-Chair, National Mental Health Inclusion Network) Every adult man on the planet, regardless of age or relationship status, should read this book. In reading this book, I was struck by the mental obstacles men needed to tackle to break free. What had always seemed like a simple course of action ... just leave ... was actually a complex maze of self-doubt and fear of the unknown to be faced head on-and overcome-before any movement to break free could be contemplated. (Colleen Smith, Business and Community Leader) A powerful and thought-provoking book on developing self-esteem and the skills needed to escape toxic or emotionally abusive relationships. A must-read for anyone seeking to address dysfunction and pervasively negative patterns in their romantic relationship; they might just find the peace they've been longing for. The book shines a light on a different way of thinking that could have an invaluable ripple-effect on their decisions moving forward. (Lisa Nagy, BA, BSW, MSW) The reality of emotionally abusive relationships is clearly laid out in this book. Jim encourages a position of accountability and asserts that pleasers are not victims in their toxic relationships. This book clearly explains why pleasers and narcissists attract and remain locked in a dance where they both exhaust and damage each other. A must-read for anyone who is having trouble recognizing manipulation and understanding the dangers of their constant need to please. (Adelle Teneke, BA, BSW, MSW) This book challenges you to think, reflect, and provides a road-map out of emotionally abusive relationships. Packaged with an edge to it, this book is thought-provoking, powerful, and provides a unique perspective regarding co-dependency and the toxic relationship cycle. It will help guide individuals with pleasing tendencies to develop self-worth and strength in order to take the next step. (Susan Krafchuk, BA, BSW, RSW)