DEBORA M. RICKS is the author of Love Addicted: One Woman's Spiritual Journey Through Emotional Dependency,

a candid, thought provoking account of how her compulsive search for love--driven by a hunger for a father's love and a deep fear of being alone--ultimately leads to a spiritual awakening. A speaker, editor, and attorney, DeBora is committed to inspiring individuals to live lives of authenticity, power, and purpose.

She has more than ten years experience representing, advising and counseling abused and battered women. She currently works in a therapeutic residential drug treatment center assisting clients with their legal issues. DeBora makes her home in Baltimore, Maryland where she is at work on her second book.

DeBora was one of the panelist on The FLOW relationship panel Sins of the Father: How Fathers Impact Daughters Relationships held January 17th in Baltimore, Maryland. DeBora was quite outspoken about how her past with her father is still present in her relationships and her continuing struggle maintain perspective.

Our relationships do not exist in a vacuum. David Richo in his book When the Past is Present says

"we can appreciate the impact of the past and see how it influences present behavior but does not excuse it." "The work is to see the influence rather than let it remain unconscious. Then we can make new choices that reflect our adult responsibility."

Father's and mother's impact on their childrens relationships is too often an unresolved past that terrorizes the present of their children and/or dependents. DeBorah's book powerfully speaks to this difficult journey borne by many of us. This discussion will continue. This is a topic that The FLOW will revisit at a New York City event in March and a later event in Newark, New Jersey.