Susan Forward

Susan Forward

Susan Forward was born on May 14th, 1938. Susan passed away February 1st, 2020 at 81 years old.

Susan Forward was one of the most respected figures in relationship self-help and psychotherapy, known for her easy-to-understand writings, which she usually integrated into her clinical practice.

For years, Susan Forward, a licensed clinical social worker in private practice, was a beacon of expertise. Her specialization in adult survivors, marital and family issues, and her consultations in medical and psychiatric settings in Southern California all underscored her deep understanding of the human psyche.

She got her most significant breakthrough when she started publishing books on issues of the hidden dynamics of abuse, control, and manipulation in intimate relationships. She was responsible for popularizing the concepts of guilt, obligation, and fear, which she called "emotional blackmail.
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Susan Forward also wrote about destructive relationship patterns where women remain in controlling and abusive relationships.

Outside of her writing, Susan Forward was active on social media and appeared on nationally syndicated talk radio shows. Her style, which combined direct language, case stories, and clinical experience, was not just informative but also practical. It empowered people to break free from destructive relational patterns, showing them that change was not only possible but also within their reach.

In her work, Susan Forward didn't just contribute to our understanding of healing, manipulation, and control in families and intimate relationships; she also helped shape our understanding of these dynamics. She also showed us that change was possible. Her work bridged the gap between practical change and therapeutic theory, inspiring hope and showing that transformation was within reach.

In 1978, Susan Forward published Betrayal of Innocence, in which she told the story of Craig Buck as an exploration of the devastating effect of incest.

From about 25 case studies ranging from granddaughter-grandfather to mother-son to sibling and father-daughter, she explored how the taboo shatters family structure, identity, and trust.

The author examined the dynamics of betrayal, shame, and coercion in victims' lives, as well as the legal responses and their impact on the broader family system.

In her most popular work, Men Who Hate Women and the Women Who Love Them, Susan Forward looked into the devastating dynamics in relationships where women have to deal with emotional abuse, criticism, and control.

She explained how most men who display such behaviour have elements of misogyny, dependency, and deep insecurities. On the other hand, their partners are driven by hope, guilt, and love, which forces them into cycles of self-blame and pain.

Drawing on clinical experience, Susan showed how women can make empowered choices to leave such relationships, heal, rebuild self-worth, and recognize manipulation.

In Toxic Parents, published in 1990, Susan Forward wrote a self-help guide for adults who were raised in dysfunctional families.

The author showed how alcoholic, abusive, controlling, or neglectful parents left lifelong emotional wounds in children conditioned to be people pleasing and with perpetual guilt.

She provides real-life case studies and practical steps for recognizing and addressing forging emotional independence, identifying toxic patterns, confronting the past, and setting boundaries.

She emphasizes that healing is about reclaiming your life rather than carrying damage over the years.

Related Authors

Fans of Susan Forward also enjoy these authors:

1. Agatha Christie, author of: And Then There Were None / Ten Little Indians.
2. Stephen King, author of The Dark Tower Series.
3. J.A. Jance, author of the Joanna Brady Series.
4. Heather Graham, author of the Krewe Of Hunters Series.
5. Gillian Flynn, author of: Gone Girl.

Susan Forward: F.A.Q