
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Amazon Prime includes:
Fast, FREE Delivery is available to Prime members. To join, select "Try Amazon Prime and start saving today with Fast, FREE Delivery" below the Add to Cart button.
Amazon Prime members enjoy:- Cardmembers earn 5% Back at Amazon.com with a Prime Credit Card.
- Unlimited Free Two-Day Delivery
- Streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows with limited ads on Prime Video.
- A Kindle book to borrow for free each month - with no due dates
- Listen to over 2 million songs and hundreds of playlists
- Unlimited photo storage with anywhere access
Important: Your credit card will NOT be charged when you start your free trial or if you cancel during the trial period. If you're happy with Amazon Prime, do nothing. At the end of the free trial, your membership will automatically upgrade to a monthly membership.
Buy new:
-31% $20.69$20.69
Ships from: Amazon.com Sold by: Amazon.com
Save with Used - Very Good
$19.20$19.20
Ships from: Amazon Sold by: PrestigeWorldwide

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Follow the authors
OK
Created for Connection: The "Hold Me Tight" Guide for Christian Couples (The Dr. Sue Johnson Collection, 3) Hardcover – October 4, 2016
Purchase options and add-ons
Are you looking to enrich a healthy relationship, revitalize a tired one, or rescue one gone awry? Do you yearn to grow closer to God, and to further incorporate Him and His teachings into your marriage? We all want a lifetime of love, support, and faith. But sometimes we need a little help.
Enter Dr. Sue Johnson, developer of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and "the best couple therapist in the world," according to bestselling relationship expert Dr. John Gottman. In CREATED FOR CONNECTION, Dr. Johnson and Kenneth Sanderfer, a leading EFT practitioner in the Christian community, share Johnson's groundbreaking and remarkably successful program for creating stronger, more secure relationships not only between partners, but between us and God.
The message of CREATED FOR CONNECTION is simple: Forget about learning how to argue better, analyzing your early childhood, or making grand romantic gestures. Instead, get to the emotional underpinnings of your relationship by recognizing that you are attached to and dependent on your partner in much the same way that a child is on a parent, and we are on the Heavenly Father, for nurturing, soothing, and protection. The way to enhance or save our relationships with each other and with God is to be open, attuned, responsive, and to reestablish safe emotional connection. Filled with Bible verses, inspiring real-life stories, and guidance, CREATED FOR CONNECTION will ensure a lifetime of love.
- Print length336 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherLittle, Brown Spark
- Publication dateOctober 4, 2016
- Dimensions6.4 x 1 x 9.55 inches
- ISBN-100316307416
- ISBN-13978-0316307413
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Frequently bought together

Customers who viewed this item also viewed
From the brand

-
Health & Wellness
-
Interesting Stories
-
A Deep Dive on Society
-
Human Psychology
-
Business
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Little, Brown Spark; Revised edition (October 4, 2016)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 336 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0316307416
- ISBN-13 : 978-0316307413
- Item Weight : 1.2 pounds
- Dimensions : 6.4 x 1 x 9.55 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #17,434 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #52 in Popular Psychology Counseling
- #107 in Christian Marriage (Books)
- #180 in Marriage
- Customer Reviews:
About the authors
Dr. Sue Johnson is an author, clinical psychologist, researcher, professor, popular presenter, speaker and a leading innovator in the field of psychotherapy and adult attachment. Sue is the primary developer of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), which has demonstrated its effectiveness in over 35 years of peer-reviewed clinical research.
Sue has received a variety of awards acknowledging her significant contributions to the field of psychology, including the Order of Canada and the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award from Psychotherapy Networker.
Hold Me Tight, Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love (2008), written for the general public, is a self-help version of her ground-breaking research – how to enhance relationships, how to repair them and how to keep them. This best seller has sold over one million copies worldwide and has been translated into 30 languages.
Dr. Johnson’s best-known professional books include Attachment Theory in Practice: EFT with Individuals, Couples and Families (2019), A Primer for Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (2022) and The Practice of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy: Creating Connection (3rd edition, 2020),
Her most recent book - Edgar and Elouise, Sagas 1&2 – is her first book of fiction and tells the story of a group of fascinating animals who learn to discover who they are, face fear and peril and come together to fight to save their world.
Sue lives in Victoria, BC, with her husband; sue adores Argentine tango and kayaking on Canada’s lakes and seas.
Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book provides meaningful insights and practical tools for couples' relationships. They describe it as a helpful resource that can be used alone or in conjunction with a therapist. However, opinions differ on readability - some find it relatable and understandable, while others feel the author is too busy using metaphors and analogies that it's unclear what she's saying.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers appreciate the book's insightful and useful content on couples relationships. They find it meaningful and helpful, bringing them closer and strengthening their Catholic faith. The book opens doors for important conversations and helps them communicate better. It explores emotional attachment as ideal throughout Scripture, both between God and His creation and between humans. It provides new techniques and ideas on marriage that customers have never heard of before. Overall, customers consider the book to be an excellent source of valuable information and practice for any couple.
"...this book and I can say that the effects of reading this book, examining myself, and discussing it with my wife have been life altering...." Read more
"...Johnson also describes beautifully and graciously that it's NORMAL to seek attachment with our spouses and partners, and our responses are a part of..." Read more
"...Emotional attachment is clearly seen as ideal throughout Scripture both between God and His creation and between human relationships...." Read more
"...to strengthen their relationship in a way that is both based on relationship research and the truths of scripture." Read more
Customers find the book practical and helpful for pre-marital counseling. They appreciate the exercises and how the conversations can be used. The book is a great resource that can be used alone or in conjunction with a therapist.
"...This book is well-researched and yet practical, well-reasoned and yet emotionally engaging...." Read more
"...In addition, the practicality of the exercises and way the seven conversations can play out in a relationship was extremely helpful to read and..." Read more
"This is a really great tool!!..." Read more
"meaningful and useful." Read more
Customers have different views on the book's readability. Some find it relatable and understandable for average couples. They say it flows well and is helpful for non-academics. However, others feel the author uses too many metaphors and analogies, making it difficult to understand. The book is complex but relevant and useful.
"...First, I found this book to be easy to read, the layout and organization flows from chapter to chapter...." Read more
"...Easy read and very useful information." Read more
"...The book is fairly complex, but relevant and useful...." Read more
"The voice actor who read this book did such an amazing job interpreting and adding subtle characterization that really made the content come..." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2017I've been a practicing Christian for over thirty years. I have a degree in theology. And I had what all outside observers thought was a great marriage. Only after my marriage was close to dissolving did my wife and I seek out counseling. We chose our counselor partly because of her explanation of EFT. She recommended this book and I can say that the effects of reading this book, examining myself, and discussing it with my wife have been life altering. I only wish that this book had been available and that we had read it at the beginning of our marriage as it might have saved us from the greatest strife in our married life. This book is well-researched and yet practical, well-reasoned and yet emotionally engaging. Furthermore, as a Christ-follower the spiritual content does not feel "shoehorned" in, but instead faithfully synthesizes the age old truth of God's love and plan of redemption with proven scientific, clinical research. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2019My husband is a MFT, so we talk and read about relationships a lot. I was weary of reading "silly" relationship books that dragged out a theory or idea over 200 pages that could be explained in 15 or less. Created for Connection really goes deep in explaining how attachment affects us for our whole lives, into all of our relationships. Dr. Johnson also describes beautifully and graciously that it's NORMAL to seek attachment with our spouses and partners, and our responses are a part of that seeking. This book is worth your time if you are seeking to understand relationship dynamics and willing to dig in. I think that couples who read it with seriousness will find improvement in their relationship.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2023I utilize this in my therapy practice to support couples in better understanding themselves and their partner. The videos, workbook, and book can be used in a group or in couples work.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2021I had purchased this book to seek an understanding of relationships from a faith based perspective. I am not a practicing Christian, but raised Catholic in name. First, I found this book to be easy to read, the layout and organization flows from chapter to chapter. In addition, the practicality of the exercises and way the seven conversations can play out in a relationship was extremely helpful to read and connect to. I did not find the book overtly Christian, but rather a way that relationships are presented from different sides of understanding.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2025Highly recommend this book on attachment theory for marriages. Emotional attachment is clearly seen as ideal throughout Scripture both between God and His creation and between human relationships. Easy read and very useful information.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2016Sue Johnson is one of the world’s leading couple’s therapists and originator of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT). Her earlier book Hold Me Tight guided couples through seven conversations, based on EFT, designed to deepen their relationship and strengthen their bond. In Created for Connection, Sue Johnson and Kenny Sanderfer revised Hold Me Tight to include reflections on the harmony between the science of love and the teachings of love found in the Christian scriptures. As in the book Hold Me Tight, Created for Connection walks a couple through key conversations that help restore a sense of emotional safety in their relationship followed by conversations designed to deepen their emotional connection. As an EFT therapist, I highly recommend this book for couples who desire to strengthen their relationship in a way that is both based on relationship research and the truths of scripture.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2023I highly recommend this book. I would also suggest that if you are married and need guidance, see a therapist specifically trained in the methodology referred to in this book called "Emotionally Focused Therapy." If you have been married for any time, you know you will need help at some point in your marriage; it is hard! Stay the course, read this book and find an EFT therapist.
The book itself is a good size, and the print size is decent, so you may not need to break out the readers.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2021The voice actor who read this book did such an amazing job interpreting and adding subtle characterization that really made the content come alive.
The content of the book is the most important information and practice that any couple, Christian or not, can put into play for their marriage. This book is for anyone who wants depth and wholehearted love to grow throughout their married life.
Top reviews from other countries
- M. R. MurrayReviewed in Canada on August 10, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Christian version of Hold Me Tight
I read Hold Me Tight first. Created for Connection is very similar. These are books aimed at restoring marriage relationships that have been going for a while but are no longer thriving or even seeming to be at an end. It won't save every marriage but it can help those that still have a desire to reconnect.
- kindlemanReviewed in the United Kingdom on March 30, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars An essential read for any married couple seeking to invest in their relationship
I was introduced to this book through attending a conference day where the co-author, Kenny Sanderfer was launching this into the UK. It recognises the value of Dr Sue Johnson's Hold Me Tight book on Emotionally Focussed Therapy (EFT) and the attachment parallels that exist with our loving Father in heaven.
I enjoyed the systematic approach, written in a very accessible style that couples can work through together. Each chapter finishes with a very practical section encouraging readers to apply these principles to their own relationship before progressing to the next chapter. The case studies used were helpful and even though this was created in the States and I am in the UK, I felt empathy with the couples and could ignore cultural differences.
Thoroughly recommended.
- Christy LindeReviewed in Canada on December 11, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Really Good Marriage Resource
I preferred this book to most marriage books I've read. No silly exercises or stereotypes about men and women. Just really great research based information about attachment.
- Harminder RhamiReviewed in the United Kingdom on February 23, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars Phil's likes
I related to almost all the problems flagged and investigated by Sue. Her solutions were on point and have unequivocally helped me to connect to my wife
- Sam BergReviewed in Canada on February 16, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars Helping couples enrich their relationships
An excellent resource for couples who are seeking to escape from the restricting, or conflicted patterns that have captured their relationships, through guided conversations. The book is based on the findings about attachment theory that produced Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples. it is written specifically for Christian couples. (The secular version is called "Hold Me Tight".) Pastors and counsellors can usefully recommend it to couples that come to them.