Gaslighting: A Step-by-Step Recovery Guide to Heal from Emotional Abuse and Build Healthy Relationships

I was interested in this book as a possible resource, both to learn more about the topic and to share with people in my circle who may be facing gaslighting in their lives. I was not disappointed; this book will be an excellent resource. The author, Dr. Deborah Vinall, who has many years of training and practical work as a licensed marriage and family therapist, writes with a gentle, yet strong, and empowering voice. She strikes the perfect balance of informative and readable, not giving in to the temptation to load the book with clinical jargon, nor to oversimplifying the material.Just under 150 pages, this small, unassuming book is truly a workbook. It is not meant to be read in a single sitting. Rather, it is designed to be worked through at the reader's own pace, over a period of time. Included throughout are several anecdotal narratives that demonstrate the specific point at hand, help the reader identify red flags or healthy responses, etc. The examples and explanations are clear and easy to follow. Filled with simple, effective exercises adapted from proven tools used widely by licensed therapists, Break Free From Gaslighting is a resource for anyone who is (or wonders if) they are being gaslit in any relationship; be it at work, school, religious community, family, friendships, or romantic partner. There is also excellent use of metaphors and imagry to emphasize, clarify, or deepen understanding of a concept. For example, this quote from page 118 “You may cycle back to grief again; this is not regression but a deeper layer of release and healing. Just as when you climb a spiral staircase, you circle around again, yet continue to rise.”Breaking Free from Gaslighting is broken primarily into 2 parts; Part 1: introducting and defining of the topic, and Part 2: 7 steps to breaking free. At the end of the book there is included a list of helpful resources for the reader as well. I highly recommend this book to anyone who may be questioning whether they are being gaslit, or to anyone who works with others who are or have been gaslight. It is highly informative, helpful, and supportive.

The media could not be loaded.  I did a pretty in-depth video. In case you didn't watch it...Go by the book! I bought this book to help get over The toxic, abusive, gas lighting relationship with my mother. I finally went no contact a few months ago and just the healing process was not happening. This was a wonderful way to get started. I've been in a lot of therapy over the years and this is really well written. She's validating and covers pretty much every situation. She even included if there were pets involved and you had to separate. Absolutely amazing writer. There are some words that are pretty academic and I had to take some time to Google them but that's okay. It shows she knows her stuff.Absolutely wonderful I can't say enough good stuff...

I wish I could take back so many of my 5 star ratings because this book truly warranted it for me. I'm at the bottom of my soul right now feeling gutted. I've read so many books about narcissist abuse but truly it's the GAS LIGHTING that was the worst of it and this book helped me identify that. Sadly, it also helped me realize something that had always "not felt quite right". My daughter was also gas lighting me. So now I feel I can't trust anyone. All this after a 37 year marriage when one day he decided to walk out. I will have to move on. Gratefully I have new neighbors who have reached out. Right now, I'll take any help I can. But, yes, I recommend this book. Her tone is comforting and soothing too.

This is one of 7 books I've read on this subject and I'd rank it as number 3 in my list. I have filled it with notes, sticky notes, memories, feelings about contents, people who were my abusers, etc.This book covers Understanding Gaslighting, the Gaslighters Playbook, Emotional abuse and recovery, 7 steps to freedom from gaslighting and breaking the cycle for good.Not everything in it applies to me, just as not everything in the other 7 books applies to me. I have found that my life was a unique abuse situation, as are many experiences of victims of this type of abuse, and I have yet to find a book that covers my specific experience, how to identify and talk to others about what I went through, how to describe this type of abuse to the average person who has never heard of it, but see that something has happened to you in your past, how to recover from specific scars and the actions/reactions that must be overcome to heal and recover... This book has some really good information and some tools to help with recovery.Good and useful book. I'm glad I read it in conjunction with all the others. If you are interested in this subject for whatever reason, I recommend you read a variety of books to get a cross-section analysis of what narcissism and gaslighting abuse is and a variety of tools to use in order to deal with it, avoid it, and/or recover from it. Did it help with my recovery? One small step in a long journey...

Worth every penny- I’ve had to purchase these types of books more than once due to the gaslighting- I buy, they disappear- My narcissistic husband has caused me way to much pain and anguish- I’m following the steps in this book and can’t wait till the day I’m free. I believe the stress he has put me under has also led to the Chronic Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, and Cancer that I am experiencing- Forty years of his shinanigans is ENOUGH.

The book clarifies the different types of gaslighting from accidental to sadistic. The book teaches you the red flags, protects your memory or experiences and so your mental and emotional health.Recognizing manipulation can protect you from becoming a victim of the most intimate forms such as domestic abuse to global gaslighting by politicians or people in positions of power.