Human beings do not exist in isolation, in fact according to author/psychotherapist Marla Gale, relationships are the foundation of good mental health and success in life. But in Dirty Dishes and Other War Stories," Gale does more than just explain how healthy thought and behavior patterns enhance relationships, she also provides a myriad of interactive exercises so that readers can actually think about their thought processes and rehearse effective techniques for interacting. Readers, will see this book as an important and down-to-earth "how to" volume in the often nebulous, emotional world of mental health. While all counselors listen to their clients' emotional pain, Gale does more, she offers excellent strategies to guide readers to take charge of their lives and to improve their lives in measurable ways. Her contention is that if we, didn't learn good intra & interpersonal and communication skills in childhood, it's not too late to acquire them as adults.

Gale points out that many dysfunctional family patterns are carried over into the workplace. Just as a family is a system, a company or organization is also a system. In business, just as in the family, the person in charge usually dictates the atmosphere. Dirty Dishes acts as an excellent resource for managers who need a wide variety of consciously used communication and management skills. Her book points out underlying dysfunctional thought and communication patterns and then offers other ways of thinking and doing. The author covers how to listen effectively, be assertive without being aggressive, and how to create happy, efficiently functioning teams at work. Gale explains that our ability to relate well to people and manage our own behavior contributes greatly to our success or failure in life. Like the dishes scenario the author uses real-life situations she encountered in her professional counseling practice to bring this volume to life. Read the stories, practice the skills and you will be on your way to a brighter and better tomorrow.