{"title":"Rik Isensee","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"love-between-men-book-rik-isensee-9781625361875","title":"Love Between Men","description":"Read this book if you'd like to improve your relationship and communicate better with your boyfriend, lover, or even your next date  You'll learn how to resolve conflicts instead of escalating or retaliating, enhancing the sense of intimacy and love that brought you together in the first place. LOVE BETWEEN MEN is a treasure...Isensee condenses years of clinical expertise of working with gay couples and translates this into a volume that is chock-full of enormously helpful and practical ways for men to look at, understand, and improve their relationships. It is bound to become a classic. --Michael Shernoff, ACSW ...a valid guide to establishing closer, more enduring partnerships...fills a gap in the resources available to couples. --K. Orton Williams, San Francisco Sentinel ...there is meat on these bones; material that any person in a relationship, or considering\/fearing one, can learn from.... Isensee's insights are solid and his chapter on abusive relationships is the sort of material rarely discussed within the gay community. And his summation chapters, which include the awful thought of 'What If It Doesn't Work Out?, ' are astute. --Dale Reynolds, Lambda Book Report This is a practical, down-to-earth manual for men who live in intimate relationships and want to improve them.... This book does more than help couples solve complicated interpersonal problems--it helps them to avoid them. --Harvey L. Gochros, D.S.W., professor, School of Social Work, University of Hawaii lsensee explores gay male relationships by examining the difficulty of maintaining successful male-male bondings in a hostile, homophobic society. He discusses problems unique to homosexual relationships.... A helpful book. --Library Journal A welcome addition to practical gay literature. --Booklist","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49523247841553,"sku":"GOR013244045","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ VERY_GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":50419888816401,"sku":"CIN1625361874VG","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":51040462143761,"sku":"NIN9781625361875","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":53349788123409,"sku":"NLS9781625361875","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1625361874.jpg?v=1750831152"},{"product_id":"are-you-ready-book-rik-isensee-9781555834593","title":"Are You Ready?","description":"Bombarded with youthful images in both gay and mainstream media, many gay men approach midlife with a sense of foreboding. Are You Ready counters common stereotypes about aging in the gay community. In lively discussions with ten gay men, it describes positive aspects of midlife, and how to deal more effectively with the changes (and challenges) that commonly take place at this time of life. Some of the topics include physical and sexual changes; loss and mortality; impact of midlife on gay relationships; and dating at midlife. Authenticity, generativity, equanimity, and a sense of meaning are some of the positive aspects many of the men discovered as they entered this phase of life. The last chapter compares gay men at midlife with the trickster figure in traditional cultures, and shows how many gay men meet midlife challenges with wisdom, healing, and humor.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49579049746705,"sku":"GOR001306616","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1555834590.jpg?v=1750926370"},{"product_id":"growing-up-gay-in-a-dysfunctional-family-book-rik-isensee-9780671767631","title":"Growing Up Gay in a Dysfunctional Family","description":"\u003cp\u003eGovernments around the world face the challenge of espousing principles of fairness but practicing inequity in their administration. Issues of equity and justice are fundamental concerns of government, and thus to public administrators, who constantly struggle to evaluate a country's social climate and ensure equity in governance. Such evaluation is unlikely to occur in a serious way, however, if government actors are fundamentally too uncomfortable to directly engage the topic. The result, this book argues, is a context of 'nervousness, ' which unless squarely acknowledged and addressed, can become debilitating and thwart progress toward achieving social equity. \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis volume explores and expands our understanding of the concept of nervousness in the administration of government services around the world, demonstrating the ways in which such an emotional and physical reaction can debilitate government actions that are needed to promote social equity and justice. Each of the chapters in this edited volume focuses on a single country and examines a specific nervous area of government, highlighting important historical and political considerations, as well as specific evidence of promising progress. It considers the complexity of nervous areas of governments around the world, while identifying encouraging approaches and initiatives.\u003cem\u003e Global Equity in Administration\u003c\/em\u003e is required reading for all practicing and aspiring public servants concerned with fair and equitable provision of public services around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49583753330961,"sku":"GOR013461246","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":50145124811025,"sku":"CIN0671767631G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ VERY_GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":50281788539153,"sku":"CIN0671767631VG","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ WELL_READ \/ SBYB","offer_id":50355884491025,"sku":"CIN0671767631A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":51286602875153,"sku":"GOR014216991","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0671767631.jpg?v=1751231546"},{"product_id":"shift-your-mood-book-rik-isensee-9781625361516","title":"Shift Your Mood","description":"Shift Your Mood provides an easy and active form of mindfulness to calm reactivity. Rik includes stories from real people's lives that show how you can soothe anxiety and stress, overcome obsessions, and tame your inner critic. As you release emotional tension, you will naturally shift to the source of your own love and inner wisdom. Rik Isensee has done a masterful job of integrating scientifically-based yet cutting edge material from psychology, brain science, and spirituality into a comprehensive collection of practical tools you can use every day to feel better, happier, and more loving. Rik's sincerity and warm-heartedness make each page glow. This book is a gem. --Rick Hanson, Ph.D. Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom. Author of Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness Shift Your Mood invites readers straight into the goodness of their own hearts. I particularly enjoyed Rik's playful invitations to experiment with a variety of embodied and mindful exercises. This book will help you navigate the inner pitfalls of your body-mind, as you reclaim the organic vitality of your own life. Manuela Mischke Reeds, MA, MFT. Co-director, Hakomi Institute of California. Author of Eight Keys to Practicing Mindfulness: Practical Strategies for Emotional Health and Well-being This is an engaging book that contains lots of good advice about becoming happier. Informed by research findings from the new field of positive psychology as well as venerable strategies from mindfulness meditation, Shift Your Mood presents a balanced and plausible formula for moving beyond where one is. --Christopher Peterson, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology, University of Michigan. Author of A Primer in Positive Psychology Using the guided assistance from your book, I quickly realized why I was so triggered, then felt calm and astoundingly clear. It was a triumph  --Alecia Vultaggio, San Diego","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49628813820177,"sku":"GOR013374448","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":51040522273041,"sku":"NIN9781625361516","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":53349789106449,"sku":"NLS9781625361516","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1625361513.jpg?v=1751088924"},{"product_id":"reclaiming-your-life-book-rik-isensee-9781555834227","title":"Reclaiming Your Life","description":null,"brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":49700757471505,"sku":"CIN1555834221G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ WELL_READ \/ SBYB","offer_id":52816124707089,"sku":"CIN1555834221A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1555834221.jpg?v=1751212686"},{"product_id":"love-between-men-book-rik-isensee-9781555833626","title":"Love Between Men","description":null,"brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":50270848712977,"sku":"CIN1555833624G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ VERY_GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":51698643632401,"sku":"CIN1555833624VG","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ WELL_READ \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":52602646495505,"sku":"GOR009002983","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53144202969361,"sku":"GOR004351516","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ WELL_READ \/ SBYB","offer_id":53243903148305,"sku":"CIN1555833624A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1555833624.jpg?v=1751056107"},{"product_id":"growing-up-gay-in-a-dysfunctional-family-book-rik-isensee-9780133469585","title":"Growing Up Gay in a Dysfunctional Family","description":null,"brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":50344438923537,"sku":"CIN0133469581G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0133469581.jpg?v=1751322791"},{"product_id":"love-between-men-book-rik-isensee-9780595341467","title":"Love Between Men","description":"Read this book if you'd like to improve your relationship and communicate better with your boyfriend, lover, or even your next date  You'll learn how to resolve conflicts instead of escalating or retaliating, enhancing the sense of intimacy and love that brought you together in the first place. LOVE BETWEEN MEN is a treasure...Isensee condenses years of clinical expertise of working with gay couples and translates this into a volume that is chock-full of enormously helpful and practical ways for men to look at, understand, and improve their relationships. It is bound to become a classic. --Michael Shernoff, ACSW ...a valid guide to establishing closer, more enduring partnerships...fills a gap in the resources available to couples. --K. Orton Williams, San Francisco Sentinel ...there is meat on these bones; material that any person in a relationship, or considering\/fearing one, can learn from.... Isensee's insights are solid and his chapter on abusive relationships is the sort of material rarely discussed within the gay community. And his summation chapters, which include the awful thought of 'What If It Doesn't Work Out?, ' are astute. --Dale Reynolds, Lambda Book Report This is a practical, down-to-earth manual for men who live in intimate relationships and want to improve them.... This book does more than help couples solve complicated interpersonal problems--it helps them to avoid them. --Harvey L. Gochros, D.S.W., professor, School of Social Work, University of Hawaii lsensee explores gay male relationships by examining the difficulty of maintaining successful male-male bondings in a hostile, homophobic society. He discusses problems unique to homosexual relationships.... A helpful book. --Library Journal A welcome addition to practical gay literature. --Booklist","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":50354234654993,"sku":"CIN0595341462G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ VERY_GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":50977210269969,"sku":"CIN0595341462VG","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ WELL_READ \/ SBYB","offer_id":51334995738897,"sku":"CIN0595341462A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0595341462.jpg?v=1751009064"},{"product_id":"love-between-men-book-rik-isensee-9781504026987","title":"Love Between Men","description":"\u003cp\u003eRead \u003cem\u003eLove Between Men\u003c\/em\u003e if you'd like to improve your relationship and communicate better with your boyfriend, lover, or even your next date  You'll learn how to resolve conflicts instead of escalating or retaliating, enhancing the sense of intimacy and love that brought you together in the first place.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"US \/ WELL_READ \/ SBYB","offer_id":50387913965841,"sku":"CIN1504026985A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1504026985.jpg?v=1750893053"},{"product_id":"reclaiming-your-life-book-rik-isensee-9781625361899","title":"Reclaiming Your Life","description":"Reclaiming Your Life is a guide to healing from early abuse, homophobia, addictions, and other self-defeating behavior.Part I looks at how growing up gay in a homophobic culture is similar in many ways to growing up in a dysfunctional or abusive family, because of the secrecy, self-blame, and shame that often accompany the realization that we're somehow different, but without much support for understanding what it means to feel attracted to the same sex.In addition, experiences of early physical, sexual, or emotional abuse can sometimes lead to the development of a \"false self,\" the internalization of negative messages, or the development of self-destructive behavior.Part II shows how gay men can recover from early abuse, internalized homophobia, and self-defeating behavior, such as alcohol and drug abuse, sexual compulsion, body image, and problems with food or debt.It offers chapters on how to counter internalized homophobic and other negative messages, expand the moment between impulse and action, and work through the feelings that are likely to arise when we stop using self-defeating behaviors to push our emotions away.\"No matter what kind of family you grew up in, you will find yourself in this book. All of our families are dysfunctional to some degree, and as gay men, we have to overcome our own homophobia and resulting shame. Rik Isensee writes in a style that is so readable and relevant, every gay\/bi man can take something with him.\" --Jeffrey Chernin, Ph.D. \"Members of a dysfunctional family interact abusively, and when the family is homophobic a gay member will likely be doubly abused. In the first half of this guide, Isensee capably outlines all aspects of growing up gay in a dysfunctional family. He includes homophobia, sexual abuse, stress, self- blame, shame, and self-destructive behavior. In the second half, he relates the ways a gay child can overcome the many hindrances to gaining self-respect through grieving, nurturing, and supporting. He ends with suggestions on how to react to homophobia and create a life without the guilt that a heterosexual society induces. Although the topic may seem a bit clinical, Isensee's book is easy to read and even gay adolescents will want to consult it.\" --H. Robert Malinowsky, Univ. of Illinois at Chicago, Library Journal\"Rik Isensee strikes a long-forgotten chord with his self-help book, Reclaiming Your Life, which gives strong psychological advice to gay men who have been through just about every situation imaginable. There are scenarios presented that will ring true for some readers, and Isensee offers his unique and insightful advice on each of them, giving the reader options to overcome overbearing feelings and\/or situations that would cause others to commit drastic actions. This is an excellent book in the field of self-help, and once finished, provides an uplifting light at the end of the tunnel.\" --Illinois HIV Prevention, Region 6 Booklist","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ -","offer_id":51040221823249,"sku":"","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":51040225394961,"sku":"NIN9781625361899","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":53349788156177,"sku":"NLS9781625361899","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1625361890.jpg?v=1750831153"},{"product_id":"are-you-ready-book-rik-isensee-9781625361851","title":"Are You Ready?","description":null,"brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ -","offer_id":51040850837777,"sku":"","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":51040854180113,"sku":"NIN9781625361851","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":53112972607761,"sku":"CIN1625361858G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":53349788057873,"sku":"NLS9781625361851","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1625361858.jpg?v=1750831151"},{"product_id":"we-re-not-alone-book-rik-isensee-9781625361912","title":"We're Not Alone","description":"We're Not Alone is a young adult novel that follows Mike and Susie through their adventures coming out in a suburban high school. Susie, a firebrand from the get-go, gets thrown out as President of the Girls' Athletic Association when she comes out as a lesbian. Mike, still unsure about his orientation, develops a crush on Scott, his best friend, who's in love with Melody. When Scott gets jumped by some anti-gay bullies, Mike is forced to take a stand.\"We' re Not Alone is an excellent, thought-provoking story that deals head-on with the struggles confronting both a young lesbian and a young gay man on their paths to self-acceptance. I strongly recommend this book for all youth, and particularly for lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth. It is well-written, engrossing and ultimately self-empowering.\" --Barbara Blinick, President, Bay Area Network of Gay and Lesbian Educators\"...a cheerful story of gay adolescent empowerment. One can't help liking Mike and Susie, who are defi­nitely gay and proud, and liking even more the sense of self-worth they're likely to impart to other gay kids.\" --Nancy Garden, Lambda Book Report, Author of Annie on My Mind and Lark in the Morning\"We' re Not Alone is a wonderful novel that brings to life the hidden world of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth. The story follows four teenagers: Susie, Mike, Melody, and Scott as they explore and become open about their sexual orientations in their relationships, high school, and with their families. Rik Isensee empowers gay and lesbian youth to overcome homophobia and develop a positive identity using information, peer support, and social action. His characters are role models for all youth, showing hon­esty, caring, courage, and humor in confronting the obstacles they face. This well-written and entertaining book is must reading for lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth coping with an often painful and lonely adolescence. It also provides heterosexual youth and adults with a better understanding of who gay and lesbian youth are­challenging all of us to accept and support them. --Paul Gibson, LCSW, psychotherapist, advocate for gay and lesbian youth\"We' re Not Alone is fast-paced, well-written, and funny. Young people can easily identify with Mike and Susie's genuine friendship and mutual support. If every youth could read this book-whether gay, lesbian, bisexual or straight-it would go a long way toward ending their isolation. We' re Not Alone provides a sense of well-being and empowerment in a sometimes difficult world. This book belongs in the library of every high school.\" --Joyce Hunter, MSW, CSW, President, National Lesbian\/Gay Health Foundation, Co-Founder of Harvey Milk High School","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ -","offer_id":51119565177105,"sku":"","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":51119566291217,"sku":"NIN9781625361912","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":53349788254481,"sku":"NLS9781625361912","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1625361912.jpg?v=1750895761"},{"product_id":"god-squad-book-rik-isensee-9780595006779","title":"The God Squad","description":null,"brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":52149627224337,"sku":"NLS9780595006779","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":53490013503761,"sku":"NIN9780595006779","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/9780595006779.jpg?v=1757607432"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.worldofbooks.com\/en-gb\/collections\/author-books-by-rik-isensee.oembed","provider":"World of Books ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}