Susan Forward
Born: May 14, 1938 – New York, New York, United States
Susan Forward was an American therapist and self-help author known for writing about family dysfunction, emotional abuse, and unhealthy relationships. Her best-known books include Toxic Parents, Emotional Blackmail, and Men Who Hate Women and the Women Who Love Them, works that became widely read bestsellers in popular psychology.
Biography & Author's Journey
Susan Forward was a Los Angeles-based therapist and bestselling self-help author whose authority came first from clinical work. Her professional turning point arrived when she volunteered at UCLA’s Neuropsychiatric Institute; staff recognized her skill with patients and brought her on in a paraprofessional role. She then attended the University of Southern California, earned a master’s degree in psychiatric social work, became a licensed clinical social worker, and later completed a PhD in psychology. From there she built a career as a therapist, consultant, and instructor across Southern California psychiatric and medical settings, while also developing a private practice centered on relationship, trauma, and family issues. ((https://susanforward.com/therapist))
Quotes
You May Also Like
Popular Books
Men who hate women & the women who love them
Susan Forward
Escape toxic love: recognize emotional abuse, reclaim your power.
Toxic Parents
Susan Forward
A powerful guide to healing from parental abuse and reclaiming your life, offering strategies for overcoming toxic family dynamics.
Emotional Blackmail
Susan Forward & Donna Frazier
A powerful guide to recognizing and combating manipulation in relationships, offering tools to break free from emotional blackmail.
Men who hate women & the women who love them
Susan Forward
Escape toxic love: recognize emotional abuse, reclaim your power.
Toxic Parents
Susan Forward
A powerful guide to healing from parental abuse and reclaiming your life, offering strategies for overcoming toxic family dynamics.
Emotional Blackmail
Susan Forward & Donna Frazier
A powerful guide to recognizing and combating manipulation in relationships, offering tools to break free from emotional blackmail.
Discover more
Heal from mom's narcissism & adoption trauma
This learning plan addresses the profound and often invisible impact of being raised by a narcissistic mother combined with adoption trauma, which can create deep-rooted patterns of depression, anxiety, and Complex PTSD. Adult women who experienced these dual traumas often struggle with relationships, self-worth, and emotional regulation without understanding why. This program offers science-backed healing strategies specifically designed to help you understand your past, rewire your brain, and reclaim your authentic self.
Heal from emotionally unavailable parenting
This plan is designed for adults who grew up with emotionally distant or immature caregivers and struggle with self-worth or relationship patterns. It provides a structured path to move from survival-based coping mechanisms to a life of secure attachment and authentic connection.
The Science of Self-Sabotage
This plan is essential for high-achievers and chronic caretakers who feel stuck in repetitive patterns of failure or burnout. It offers a deep dive into the neurobiology of behavior, making it ideal for anyone looking to reclaim control over their choices and mental well-being.
Neurochemistry of Love, Trauma & Bonding
Understanding the biological roots of our emotional lives is essential for anyone seeking to break destructive relationship cycles. This plan is ideal for therapists, coaches, or individuals looking to leverage neuroscience to build deeper, more secure connections.
Heal From Childhood Emotional Wounds
Childhood emotional wounds often create invisible barriers to happiness, healthy relationships, and self-worth that persist into adulthood. This learning plan is essential for anyone who struggles with recurring relationship patterns, low self-esteem, difficulty trusting others, or feeling emotionally stuck despite wanting to change. It provides a structured, compassionate path to understanding and healing the root causes of emotional pain rather than just managing symptoms.
Heal my relationship with my kids
This plan is designed for parents seeking to move past reactive patterns and deep-seated conflicts to build a healthier bond with their children. It is ideal for those who want to combine self-reflection with practical attachment strategies to foster lifelong trust and connection.
Self-study & healing from narcissistic abuse
This learning plan is essential for survivors seeking to reclaim their identity and physiological well-being after experiencing toxic relationship dynamics. It provides a structured path from initial validation to long-term empowerment for anyone ready to break the cycle of abuse.
Healing the Patterns You Inherited
This plan is essential for individuals who feel stuck in repetitive emotional cycles or high-functioning anxiety rooted in family history. It is ideal for those seeking to move beyond intellectual understanding into somatic healing and genuine self-integration.
Community Voices
"I consider Susan Forward to be among the foremost therapists of our age"
— John Bradshaw
"Susan Forward's wisdom and compassion shines through in this excellent guide for women about a potentially devastating experience in their lives"
— Susan Jeffers
"Riveting! Once again, Susan Forward has shone a light on relationships in her uniquely compassionate and dramatic way"
— Barbara De Angelis
"Susan Forward does it again with this powerful book that will go a long way toward helping women regain their balance and self-esteem"
— June M. Reinisch
"Breathe a sigh of relief! Susan Forward helps you identify and correct an intensely destructive and confusing pattern of relating with those you love"
— Susan Jeffers
"Once again Susan Forward has identified an important issue that has been calling out for her expertise and unique perspective"
— Beverly Engel
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
