The Nice Girl Syndrome: Stop Being Manipulated and Abused -- and Start Standing Up for Yourself - Softcover

In this breakthrough guide, internationally acclaimed therapist and emotional abuse expert Beverly Engel explains that women today simply cannot afford to be Nice Girls, since "nice girls" are much more likely to be victimized—emotionally, physically, and sexually—than those who are not so nice. She helps you determine whether the syndrome is keeping you in an abusive relationship or in manipulative situations, and she identifies the seven different types of Nice Girls. She also discusses the specific conditions and experiences that contribute to the development of each type and helps you decide which type might apply to you.

Engel helps you understand the signals that your Nice Girl behavior sends to potential abusers. Through prescriptive action steps, she shows you how to confront the beliefs and behaviors that keep you stuck in your Nice Girl act and how to replace them with healthier, more empowering ones.

By reading The Nice Girl Syndrome, you'll learn how to:

• Stop putting other people's needs and feelings before your own

• Stop believing that being nice will protect you and learn how to protect yourself

• Stop worrying about what other people think of you

• Start standing up for yourself and your rights

• Express your anger and learn how to handle conflict effectively

To help in your journey from Nice Girl to strong woman, Engel tells the moving and inspiringstories of women she has worked with who have found the courage and strength to stop taking abuse and who have broken free fromthose who manipulate, belittle, and abuse them. Filled with wise advice, powerful exercises, and practical prescriptions, The Nice Girl Syndrome will show you step by step how to be your own strong woman.

"Readers will find [Beverly] Engel's elucidation of the four causes of 'Nice Girl Syndrome' and the 'Seven Types of Nice Girls' (e.g., Doormat, Pretender, Prude, Enlightened One) deeply funny and familiar. . . . This book will challenge, entertain, and empower its readers."
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Are you too nice for your own good? Do family members manipulate you? Do coworkers take advantage of you? If this sounds familiar, read The Nice Girl Syndrome.

In this breakthrough guide, internationally acclaimed therapist and emotional abuse expert Beverly Engel explains that women today simply cannot afford to be Nice Girls, because women who are too nice send the message that they are easy targets and are much more likely to be victimized emotionally, physically, and sexually. Engel helps you determine whether the Nice Girl Syndrome is keeping you in an abusive relationship or in manipulative situations. She identifies the seven different types of Nice Girls and shows you how to tell which type or types you are. Through prescriptive action steps, Engel shows you how to confront the beliefs and behaviors that keep you stuck in your Nice Girl act and how to replace them with healthier, more empowering ones.

To help you in your journey from Nice Girl to fulfilled woman, Engel tells the inspiring stories of clients she has worked with who have found the courage and strength to stop being abused and who have broken free from those who manipulate, belittle, and take advantage of them. Filled with wise advice, powerful exercises, and practical prescriptions, The Nice Girl Syndrome will show you step by step how to be your own strong woman.