Created for Connection: The "Hold Me Tight" Guide for Christian Couples (The Dr. Sue Johnson Collection, 3) Hardcover – October 4, 2016

I've been a practicing Christian for over thirty years. I have a degree in theology. And I had what all outside observers thought was a great marriage. Only after my marriage was close to dissolving did my wife and I seek out counseling. We chose our counselor partly because of her explanation of EFT. She recommended this book and I can say that the effects of reading this book, examining myself, and discussing it with my wife have been life altering. I only wish that this book had been available and that we had read it at the beginning of our marriage as it might have saved us from the greatest strife in our married life. This book is well-researched and yet practical, well-reasoned and yet emotionally engaging. Furthermore, as a Christ-follower the spiritual content does not feel "shoehorned" in, but instead faithfully synthesizes the age old truth of God's love and plan of redemption with proven scientific, clinical research. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

My husband is a MFT, so we talk and read about relationships a lot. I was weary of reading "silly" relationship books that dragged out a theory or idea over 200 pages that could be explained in 15 or less. Created for Connection really goes deep in explaining how attachment affects us for our whole lives, into all of our relationships. Dr. Johnson also describes beautifully and graciously that it's NORMAL to seek attachment with our spouses and partners, and our responses are a part of that seeking. This book is worth your time if you are seeking to understand relationship dynamics and willing to dig in. I think that couples who read it with seriousness will find improvement in their relationship.

I utilize this in my therapy practice to support couples in better understanding themselves and their partner. The videos, workbook, and book can be used in a group or in couples work.

I had purchased this book to seek an understanding of relationships from a faith based perspective. I am not a practicing Christian, but raised Catholic in name. First, I found this book to be easy to read, the layout and organization flows from chapter to chapter. In addition, the practicality of the exercises and way the seven conversations can play out in a relationship was extremely helpful to read and connect to. I did not find the book overtly Christian, but rather a way that relationships are presented from different sides of understanding.

Highly recommend this book on attachment theory for marriages. Emotional attachment is clearly seen as ideal throughout Scripture both between God and His creation and between human relationships. Easy read and very useful information.

Sue Johnson is one of the world’s leading couple’s therapists and originator of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT). Her earlier book Hold Me Tight guided couples through seven conversations, based on EFT, designed to deepen their relationship and strengthen their bond. In Created for Connection, Sue Johnson and Kenny Sanderfer revised Hold Me Tight to include reflections on the harmony between the science of love and the teachings of love found in the Christian scriptures. As in the book Hold Me Tight, Created for Connection walks a couple through key conversations that help restore a sense of emotional safety in their relationship followed by conversations designed to deepen their emotional connection. As an EFT therapist, I highly recommend this book for couples who desire to strengthen their relationship in a way that is both based on relationship research and the truths of scripture.

I highly recommend this book. I would also suggest that if you are married and need guidance, see a therapist specifically trained in the methodology referred to in this book called "Emotionally Focused Therapy." If you have been married for any time, you know you will need help at some point in your marriage; it is hard! Stay the course, read this book and find an EFT therapist.The book itself is a good size, and the print size is decent, so you may not need to break out the readers.

A wonderful book about how to connect at the emotional level. Emotional safety is essential for intimacy, and most of our most difficult struggles are rooted in our emotional brokenness. If we can enter our mate's fears and wounds with empathy and grace we not only feel closer... we can also have a role as agents of "the God of all comfort" to foster healing. The book is fairly complex, but relevant and useful. Biblical integration is accurately chosen but pretty sparse (although I have not yet read the chapter about relationship with God.) -- a marriage therapist for over 25 years.