As children, many of us aren’t taught the importance of assertiveness. Which means, as adults, we often become frustrated in interpersonal relationships because we don’t know how to express our needs, desires, or expectations. That frustration can lead to worst-case scenarios, like acting out in ways that don’t match our character, or even creating abusive dynamics in our relationships.

Holding boundaries and asserting yourself are crucial skills for maintaining healthy relationships and a sense of self-respect. In Push Back: Assert Yourself in Relationships, professional clinical psychologist Dr. Monica Johnson teaches you how to clearly define your limits, communicate those limits to others, and foster mutual respect and understanding in your everyday interactions. Over eight lectures, you’ll examine the social and psychological factors that make assertiveness so difficult; the pros and cons of passive, passive-aggressive, aggressive, and assertive communication styles; ways to structure your sentences when asking for what you want; the importance of context and nuance in interpersonal communication; and much more.

Dr. Johnson’s Audible Original is an insightful, empowering guidebook for anyone on the path to becoming a more assertive person. Over time, and with practice, you’ll find yourself more skillful at pushing back than you could ever have imagined.