This is an old favourite that I pulled out again, after reading "Self Talk, Soul Talk" recently.  Well that is to say that I have had "Telling Each Other the Truth", and the companion "Telling Yourself the Truth", for 15-20 years and haven't read the former for a long while!

Mr Backus was a christian psychologist and therefore references passages from the bible, but in a liberating manner not a condemning one.  Many of his points refute the paradigm christian's (may) have of how they are allowed to act and what they are allowed to say, as often propounded by the institutional church. (Sadly he passed away in 2005).

'Telling Each Other the Truth' is about communication with one another, that is truthful - fancy that!  Our spouses, colleagues, suitors, family and perfect strangers.  It does encourage you to use the "I" word, speak directly, keep focussed, handle manipulative others, and accept criticism.

It takes a wee bit of getting into, and hasn't been dumbed down and made 'light and airy' for the un-focused reader.

It is the type of book that you'd get the best out of it, by thinking of each chapter as a once-weekly therapy session, and taking the time in between to really put into practise your 'homework'.

Telling Each Other the Truth written by William Backus (preview available via 'search inside')