Forward first gained international attention with Men Who Hate Women and the Women Who Love Them (1986), co-authored with Joan Torres, which examined misogyny and destructive relationships. Her landmark work, Toxic Parents: Overcoming Their Hurtful Legacy and Reclaiming Your Life (1989), became a worldwide bestseller, offering adult children practical strategies for healing from childhood wounds. Her other significant books include Betrayal of Innocence (1978), Obsessive Love (1987), Money Demons (1994), Emotional Blackmail: When the People in Your Life Use Fear, Obligation, and Guilt to Manipulate You (1997), and Toxic In-Laws (2001).
Written in a direct yet compassionate style, Forward's books have been translated into many languages, continuing to guide millions of readers toward self-awareness, recovery, and healthier relationships.