Emotions, rather than simply being the result of random or disordered biochemical processes, are adaptive mechanisms that are often overly relied upon as a function of basic learning processes. The Quest to Feel Good helps the reader understand that negative emotions serve a critical adaptive purpose that functions in relation to one's ultimate desire for a felt-positive state. Paul Rasmussen addresses the role of emotions as adaptive components, in combination with cognitive and behavioral processes, to our overall orchestration of life. To this end, the therapist is directed to use a client's negative affect as a means of guiding critical therapeutic conclusions and decisions. Rasmussen emphasizes an integration of the basic premises of Adlerian psychology with the evolutionary-imperative model presented by Theodore Millon (1990, 1999). This integration is used to explain the primacy of emotions in the manifestation of most clinical conditions. This critical integration and focus makes the volume important, necessary, and unique to mental health professionals. Case examples and illustrations are also offered throughout the text.

Drawing on research conducted at 17 Catholic universities in the US, making it the largest study of its kind, this volume explores effective practice in improving institutional policy relating to issues of sexuality. The text calls attention to campus cultures of fear, shame, or denial around sexuality and highlights possible points of institutional resistance to changes in policy. Discussing topics such as sexual identity, sexuality education in the curriculum, Title IX, employee termination and morality clauses, the book shows how staff and faculty are crucial in effecting change across Catholic campuses, providing valuable insight into the "unspoken rules" around sexuality within the shadow culture at Catholic institutions. Moreover, the text illustrates how institutions can maintain fidelity to Church teachings and even embrace notions of human dignity, solidarity, and the common good to achieve sexual inclusivity. A unique study demonstrating how Catholic teaching can help support inclusive change around issues of sexuality and gender in higher education, it ultimately puts forward a practical framework for effecting change and improving student and staff support structures in Catholic institutions. It will thus appeal to researchers and academics working in the fields of Higher Education Management, Gender and Sexuality in Education, Religion, Gender and Sexuality, and the Sociology of Religion.

This guide practically aids mental health professionals in understanding and improving their therapeutic and academic writing, demonstrating how the written word is an invaluable tool to document, assess, and promote change with those in and outside the therapy room. Exploring the various ways writing occurs in psychotherapy professions, Michael D. Reiter comprehensively covers the range of the written word, from progress notes and assessment documentation, to journaling and therapeutic letters, as well as contacting larger systems such as report writing and grant applications. Chapters are formatted to include the purpose and function of a particular type of writing before providing multiple examples so therapists can apply this in their own practice. This book aims to help all therapists, regardless of academic training or therapeutic modality, to incorporate these ideas into their work. This book is designed for mental health professionals in a variety of settings, including counselors, therapists, social workers, family therapists, and clinical psychologists. This book is useful for graduate students as well as those already in practice.

Nothing destroys trust like sexual betrayal. Beyond broken vows, a woman who discovers that the man she loves has been viewing pornography or having an affair must deal with devastating blows to her self-image and self-worth. She must grapple with the fact that the man she thought she knew has lied and deceived her. She may even bear the brunt of shame and judgment when the people around her find out. Drawing from her experience both as a marriage and family therapist and a woman who personally experienced the devastation of sexual betrayal, Dr. Sheri Keffer walks women impacted by betrayal through the pain and toward recovery. She explains how the trauma of betrayal affects our minds, bodies, spirits, and sexuality. She offers practical tools for dealing with emotional triggers and helps women understand the realities of sexual addiction. And she shows women how to practice self-care, develop healthy boundaries, protect themselves from abuse or manipulation, and find freedom from the burden of shame and guilt.

Couples seek therapy for a variety of reasons, from short-lived adjustment difficulties to deeply entrenched conflict. Yet marital therapy has lacked a conceptual framework for matching treatment to a couple's particular problem. This outstanding new book, by a team of researcher-clinicians from the Center for Family Learning, is the first to address this deficiency.The authors systematically assess the duration and intensity of a couple's present conflict, as well as how the spouses function alone and in their extended families. They have found that troubled couples tend to fall into one of four categories, each best suited to a particular treatment program. The mild conflicts of stage one, for example, respond well to a six-week educational program; whereas the extreme anger and alienation of stage three is best handled without direct confrontation.The authors describe their evaluation and treatment procedures--including assessing multigenerational systems, dealing with triangles, and reducing emotional arousal--and illustrate their explanations with lengthy case illustrations and session-by-session transcripts. Because it offers a carefully articulated, clinically tested method of treating a broad range of marital problems, this valuable book makes a unique and much-needed contribution to the field.

In today's colleges and universities, parents and families are increasingly important as partners to support students in enrolling and navigating the college experience. Tailored to higher education professionals who work with the families of college students, this book provides a solid foundation for establishing or enhancing parent and family initiatives across the institution and how to partner with families to foster student success. The chapter authors, seasoned professionals working in higher education, share best practices and relevant research related to partnering with families and addressing challenges that come with engaging families. Chapters also explore ways to make parent and family programming accessible for first generation families and families from underrepresented groups who may often feel left out of traditional activities, programs, and services. Chapters feature "Voices from the Field" sharing best practices as well as "Tough Talks" breaking down some of the more difficult interactions between families and students and staff. This book is a valuable resource to higher education and student affairs professionals seeking to strengthen their work with families in order to better support student success in college.

This book is an exploration of intentional listening as an essential skill for coaches. It introduces the Head, Heart, and Hands Listening model as a vital tool to amplify effective listening in coaching practice. Accessible and applicable, the book explores the three listening modalities of Head, Heart, and Hands as active, though largely unconscious, lenses that inform the potency of our listening. Dakin-Neal argues that once coaches identify 'how' they listen, they can assist their clients in more targeted ways to positively impact their personal and professional lives. Chapters are divided into the three listening modalities, Head, Heart, and Hands, and are filled with case studies, stories, reflective questions and exercises from the author's experience to help coaches' strengthen their listening skills. The book also includes a comprehensive listening assessment for coaches to use in practice. This book is essential reading for coaches in practice and in training as well as organizational psychologists, HR professionals, and those working within corporations.

Satisfying, secure connection with others depends heavily on how well we listen to each other and respond to what we've heard. The Listening Book lays bare the key elements of both deeply attuned and badly misattuned listening in vivid scenes of real-life interactions that capture the emotional impact and give the reader an illuminating "aha" experience. Added to that is a mind-opening account of psychological processes and principles that normally operate from outside of awareness, showing how skillful listening can reveal those dynamics. Beyond even that, such listening can produce interactions that unlock lifelong emotional conditioning to yield liberating change through one of the brain's most remarkable processes, which neuroscientists call memory reconsolidation. Whether read solo, with a partner, or in a reading group, The Listening Book is for everyone who yearns for deeper emotional connection and closeness, everyone who is at a loss to understand what is interfering, and everyone who is fascinated by the subtle and manifold factors involved in interpersonal communication.

This book brings together therapists to talk about their own experiences, and how these can help work with children and adolescents.

This book brings together therapists to talk about their own experiences, and how these can help work with children and adolescents.

This edited collection covers the role of the process observer - a position that enhances the effectiveness of group functioning by observing the process, summarizing the behavior of the group so that the group can learn and, if needed, improve its functioning. There is little guidance on best practices for this role, and in most settings, process observers are forced to rely on whatever previous training they have received in group work to fulfil their role. The first of its kind, this book offers a wealth of resources for the role of group process observer organized in a systematic way. Each contributor focuses on a specific aspect of group process observation, identifying what is currently known on the topic, suggesting best practices, and providing the reader with tools, structures, and guidelines for effective process observation. Students and educators of group work courses will find this book integral as it covers the existing gap in literature on group process observation.

Bowen theory views the family as an emotional unit. The family is a natural system that has evolved, like all living systems. The elegance and unity of the concept of differentiation of self, and of Bowen theory in its entirety, is that they describe the basis of individual functioning in relation to others within the emotional systems of family, occupation, community, and larger society. This volume consists of essays elucidating and applying differentiation of self, the central concept of Bowen family systems theory and therapy. The purpose of the volume is fourfold: * to describe the historical evolution of differentiation of self * to analyze the complex dimension of this concept as the integrating cornerstone of Bowen theory * to present applications of the concept for both the therapist/coach and in clinical practice * to examine the problems and possibilities of researching differentiation of self The largest part of this volume is the presentation of in-depth case studies of clients or therapists in their efforts to differentiate or define self. This provides an understanding of the what and how that go into the differentiation of self. Contributed to by professionals who have studied, applied, and taught Bowen theory in their own lives, practices, educational settings, and training settings, this volume is a must-have for any therapist/coach working within a systems perspective.

* Written in an accessible style with pregnant and postpartum women in mind. * The short chapters, activities, and format lends itself to sleep deprived new parents with poor attention spans * Provides real skills that pregnant women and new parents can learn to decrease debilitating symptoms. * Uniquely focuses on both the pregnancy and postpartum period unlike most books in the market, and is inclusive in addressing the range of all mood symptoms a woman may experience during pregnancy and postpartum, not just postpartum depression. * Chapters include updated and inclusive language that is culturally sensitive and includes same sex partners, gender non-conforming parents, and adoptive parents. * Includes exercises, graphics, and information boxes throughout.

This book aims to equip mental health professionals to integrate discussions of sexual identity, health, wellness, and intimacy into the scope of their client's mental health, ensuring they are well-prepared to incorporate sexual functioning into core assessment, interventions, and treatment. We exist in societies that are scared to discuss sexual health, identity, and relationships, and the stigma surrounding these topics saturates our mental health professions. Sex, intimacy, and sexual identity have historically been relegated as 'specialized' topics when training new clinicians, which has led to professionals feeling unable and unskilled to speak about a core part of their client's psychological, biological, physical, and relational health. Viewing this as a social justice issue, this book addresses a movement in the counseling field to incorporate sexual health into therapy as well as providing new ways of foundational teaching. Chapters begin exploring the history of sex therapy and the problems that have previously been addressed as concerns for the sex therapy field only, before discussing issues surrounding transference and countertransference. Encouraging self-reflection regarding values, bias, and attitudes related to topics of sexuality, the book moves to discussing strategies and integrative approaches to co-occurring conditions, such as trauma, diagnosis of sexual difficulties, stigma and societal messages, biopsychosocial treatment, networking and coordination of care, and spiritual health and healing. Including journaling exercises, assessment tools, and case studies of how to weave approaches addressing sexual concerns into practice, this book will provide graduate courses and continuing education instructors with the core material to assist the training and development of future and established professionals.

Offers a comprehensive view of the emerging fields of secular-scientific mindfulness and Mindfulness-Based Teaching and Learning (MBTL) for professionals for use in a range of educational and clinical settings, including preK-12, higher education, adult and community education, social work, workplace education, medicine, psychology, and counselling. Provides intellectual depth, including addressing key critiques, while offering constructive support to practitioners and professionals in the full spectrum of skills and competencies required of secular-scientific mindfulness specialists, including an up-to-date competency framework. Presents a multi-disciplinary approach to secular-scientific mindfulness and its practices, with implications for teacher preparation and continuing education for a range of professions. These multi-disciplinary perspectives provide a fulsome view of mindfulness as it is unfolding in modern contexts, including the continuing dialogue with traditional Buddhist and classical Western philosophical sources; empirical perspectives from psychology and cognitive science, and practice-oriented scholarship from education, medicine, and social work.

The stresses on workers have increased greatly during the pandemic. This book highlights the psychological help these people need.

Mindfulness-Based Wellbeing Enhancement (MBWE) integrates Mindfulness and Wellbeing to realize human flourishing and the attainment of happiness. This 9-session program, conducted over 8 weeks, enhances wellbeing, happiness and quality of life through self-understanding and self-awareness. The first part of the book is devoted to presenting mindfulness, wellbeing, the happiness paradigm and the curriculum of the Mindfulness-Based Wellbeing Enhancement (MBWE) program. It presents the foundations of mindfulness-based programs, and how mindfulness intersects with wellbeing. The authors argue, with the support of evidence, that mindfulness is well placed to promote human flourishing rather than limiting its relevance to stress reduction and preventing depression relapse. Several chapters are devoted to presenting the MBWE program comprehensively with weekly agendas, homework, handouts, facilitation guides and practice scripts. The second part of the book presents the evidence base of mindfulness, cultural adaptations for different populations, the therapeutic effectiveness of group learning inherent in Mindfulness-Based Programs and the often-untold history of mindfulness. The authors present the often-neglected Asian roots of Mindfulness and justify how secular Mindfulness, as taught by Jon Kabat-Zinn, is influenced by multiple wisdom traditions as opposed to it being a solely Buddhist practice. This book serves as a hands-on resource for trained mindfulness teachers, psychologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, counsellors, social workers, practitioners, educators, coaches, and consultants. It is also suitable for anyone who is interested in the appreciation of mindfulness and human flourishing.

This fascinating and thought-provoking book provides much-needed philosophical background for counsellors, therapists and healthcare workers looking for broader, deeper foundations in the struggle to help and make sense of others. While examining the best among twentieth-century philosophy it shows the wealth of inspiration of earlier centuries, and demonstrates with remarkable clarity the way in which the ideas of, and the relations between, these philosophers can inspire, inform and underpin much of counselling and psychotherapy. The author ties the philosophies with practice in a pragmatic and exercise-based way, making it an excellent source for training courses. Each chapter is headed with 'key points' and their application to counselling and psychotherapy, and ends with practical questions, exercises and a detailed bibliography, including extensive listing of relevant websites.

This book provides skills for therapists and families to help improve interpersonal communication, promoting a new system of family coexistence and a refreshed concept of the modern marriage in society. Written from a constructivist peace perspective, the book's aim is to reduce the high statistics of intimate partner violence that occurs in Mexico, arguing that the culture of peace and how it is born in the family in turn affects society for better or for worse. Based upon interviews from 150 long-term married couples, the chapters address the components that promote peaceful dialogue in marriages, such as assertive language, active listening, tolerance to frustration, and gender perspectives. Including accessible language and several models of peace, the book uniquely examines same-sex marriages, the role of children in marriage conflicts, and prescribed gender assumptions and roles in relationships. It aims to empower family members to move away from old habits and seek a more equitable existence in marriages and society at large. This interdisciplinary text will be of great interest to family therapists and clinical social workers, as well as to students and researchers in communication and peace studies.

Presents complex material and practical applications about the neuroscience of resiliency and trauma with innovation, clarity, simplicity, and accessibility to the reader. Presents easy-to-use applications based on cutting edge neuroscience to mobilize individuals and communities from a resiliency-focused and trauma-informed perspective, simply, creatively and with innovation. Demonstrates how the simple, clear and innovative methods based on cutting edge neuroscience and somatic approaches have been integrated into projects around the world from Dalai Lama's vision of creating a curriculum for children to civil rights leaders wanting to change systemic racism. This book gives readers tools and ideas to not only help themselves but also to transform their communities.

This volume explores the current state of student mental health and trauma while offering theories and practice of trauma informed teaching and learning. The interdisciplinary authors gathered in this collection discuss the roles, practices, and structures in higher education that can support the wellness and academic success of students who suffer from the effects of traumatic experiences. Chapters cover topics on teaching traumatic materials ethically and effectively, reading and writing to support recovery and healing from trauma, inclusive pedagogies responsive to systemically inflicted trauma, and developing institutional structures to support trauma informed pedagogies. This timely and important book is designed for faculty in institutions of higher education seeking to meaningfully cultivate trauma informed classes and learning experiences for their students.

Relationship Coaching provides a comprehensive guide to coaching to achieve relationship success and enrichment in three main areas: to help single people to form and secure stable relationships, to assist couples seeking to enhance their relationship and to support parents looking to improve their relationships with their children. Yossi Ives is an experienced relationship coach and Elaine Cox is an expert on developmental coaching approaches. They explain how the fundamental elements of coaching are customised and adapted to meet the needs of relationship enhancement. The book introduces specific coaching theories, processes and techniques through the use of practical case studies, which provide insight into a range of applications and contexts, and introduces new ways of approaching marriage and singles coaching. Relationship Coaching combines an accessible, practical guide with a strong theoretical underpinning. It will be an essential guide for coaches, counsellors and students, as well as other professional helpers including social workers and ministers.

The second edition of Creative Activities for Group Therapy focuses on evidence-based alternatives for verbal expression in group therapy, which provides group leaders with innovative inspirational tools, techniques, and intervention strategies to address dilemmas and difficult situations and help encourage members' self-exploration and self-disclosure. Newly organized into three categories, the book covers group basics and fundamentals, categories for activities, and a new section on diverse settings, conditions, and applications. The first section outlines use of activities, benefits to groups, and tips for effective and safe use of creative activities. Section two covers a range of creative activities for leaders to implement, such as art therapies, movement therapies, writing therapy, and includes new activities for virtual sessions. The new section then addresses activities for diverse settings such as groups in hospitals and prisons, various medical conditions and psychological states, and inclusive applications that minimize group conflict and promote emotional expression. This new edition provides mental health professionals and students, including therapists, counselors, and clinical social workers, with a wide array of methods for enriching their therapy groups and tools for implementing these activities.

Therapeutic Work for Children with Complex Trauma offers a contemporary three-track psychodynamic treatment model to mental health professionals working with traumatised children and their caregivers. The book offers a contemporary and comprehensive approach to working with traumatised children by integrating knowledge and skills from traditional psychodynamic child psychotherapy and more contemporary trauma-informed and mentalization-based frameworks. It advocates three tracks of work, involving direct work with the child, work with the child's primary caregivers and work with the network. The book is divided into two parts: Part I of the book covers the theoretical background and Part II discusses the core components and phases of the trauma-informed and mentalization-based treatment approach. The authors bring out the specific dynamics of the psychotherapeutic work through four composite cases woven through the book. Written in accessible language this treatment guide is primarily aimed at psychodynamically trained psychotherapists, mental health professionals, and professional caregivers working with traumatised children.

Based on over a decade of sustained longitudinal research with a broad range of different user groups, Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy and Coaching: An Evidence-Based Framework is an essential guide which offers both theoretical foundations and practical models for working with horses in psychotherapy and coaching. While not a panacea for distress and difficulties, the connections that humans find with horses can become a catalyst for deeper self-knowledge. By de-centring the human subject and placing the horse in the middle of the investigation, the ways in which humans make sense of themselves can be explored and more easily understood. Drawing on this wide spectrum of different client groups, the book features intervention studies with expelled teenagers, adults in addiction recovery programmes, children diagnosed on the autistic spectrum, people suffering from trauma and mental health problems, prisoners and even multi-national corporations wanting culture change. The practice of using horses in a psychological intervention is thoroughly scrutinised throughout, with ways of establishing successful change documented and assessed. Liefooghe's analysis of these studies builds up to provide a comprehensive, evidence-based framework for equine-assisted psychotherapy and coaching. This essential book offers psychotherapists, coaches and all those who work in a helping capacity a clear insight into what horses can and cannot do in a therapeutic role.