The Power of Closure

Why We Want It, How to Get It, and When to Walk Away

By: Gary McClain PhD

Narrated by: Gary McClain PhD

Find healing and move on from the past in the face of loss, confusion, and pain

“If only I could get some closure…” If you’ve found yourself saying these words, you’re not alone. When you’ve lost a relationship, a job, or a loved one, closure can seem as elusive as it is necessary. Psychotherapist and relationship coach Gary McClain says it’s one of the most common—and important—issues his clients bring up.

In this empathetic and insightful guide, Dr. McClain explains why the promise of closure is so appealing—and why it’s not always all it’s cracked up to be. He walks listeners through what closure is (and isn’t), the reasons we want it, how to seek it in healthy and productive ways, and ways to move forward when we don’t get the closure we’re looking for. Learn how to find peace and leave regret behind when you can’t stop obsessing about a fight with a friend, when your world has been turned upside down by a breakup, or when a loved one has died. Whether you’re dealing with the pain of loss or are simply feeling the need to tie up a loose end, big or small, in a relationship, The Power of Closure will help you let go of the past and embrace the future.

©2024 Gary McClain (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Everyone wants closure, but few know how to actually achieve it. The Power of Closure helps readers find acceptance and closure in even the most difficult situations. This book is perfect for anyone trying to navigate a transition and move forward."—Whitney Goodman, LMFT, author of Toxic Positivity

“Closure is one of the most important (and misunderstood) topics in the world of relational healing. The belief that closure is a ‘have-to-have’ lures us into unhealthy and repetitive relationship cycles. Dr. Gary McClain compassionately and skillfully navigates readers through the maze of myths and truths surrounding closure. His is a much-needed voice on this subject, and I would recommend this book to any of my friends, family, or clients who feel stuck on the closure loop.”—Britt Frank, LSCSW, author of The Science of Stuck

“This book is for anyone who has ever experienced hard endings in life, like the death of a loved one following a long illness, and for those who’ve experienced soft endings, like the winding down of a relationship that had no goodbye, and no real resolution. Using a combination of clear-cut examples, tales from his professional experience, and interactive tools, Gary McClain dispels the notion that closure is something we should chase. Instead, he gives you concrete methods for finding it within yourself. I’m recommending this book to everyone who wants to take ownership over their own endings in life, so they can toward a healthier and happier future.”—Tessa West, author of Jerks at Work and Job Therapy

Compelling & Practical - A Great Listen

Truly an empathic and insightful guide, The Power of Closure answers questions you might not even know you have. Read by the author, this book is filled with warmth, wisdom, common sense, and applicability. Highly recommended for anyone seeking guidance, whether you think you need closure or not. Add this brilliant piece of work to your reading list!