Main description:

Why Don't I Feel Good Enough? Using Attachment Theory to Find a Solution offers a guide to how early emotional bonds affect our adult relationships and how psychological theory can help us to find the origin and solution to a number of life's problems.

Bringing a wealth of therapeutic experience and the latest scientific research, Helen Dent introduces the benefits that understanding attachment theory can bring to all areas of life. You will find this particularly helpful if you struggle with everyday relationships and have difficulties managing your emotions. Using practical guidance, real-life examples and questionnaires to help you locate your own 'attachment style', she provides the tools and guidance to help you move on and develop secure, positive attachments.

Why Don't I Feel Good Enough?

will be an important guide and resource for psychotherapists, counsellors, clinical psychologists and their clients. It provides a good introduction to attachment theory for professionals in training.

Contents:

Contents

Part One: Why Don't I Feel Good?

How Can I Help You?

Feeling Good

Surviving and Thriving - Attachment Theory

How Attachment Styles are Formed

Attachment Styles in Adulthood
Part Two: Taking Action - Mapping My Inner Life

Family History and the Genogram

Working Out My Attachment Style

Putting It All Together - Formulating My Psychological Map
Part Three: Becoming Aware of the Hidden Forces in My Relationships

Romantic Partners

Family and Friends

Colleagues

Other Relationships
Part Four: Feeling Good - Learning to Take Control of My Life

Taking Care of Myself

Managing My Emotions

Managing My Behaviours

Where Can I Get Further Help?
Part Five: Additional Information

Strengths and Limitations of Research Evidence

Afterword - Eva, Dan, Jas and Zac...

Further Reading

References

Index

List of Figures

Figure 2.1 Circles of context

Figure 2.2 Johari Window

Figure 2.3 Johari Window after Self-Exploration

Figure 3.1 The Attachment Cycle - Development of Trust & Secure Attachment

Figure 3.1 Development of Emotional Understanding & Regulation

Figure 3.1 Development of Shame

Figure 3.1 Relationship Repair

Figure 4.1 Secure Attachment Style

Figure 4.1 Pyramid of Personal Fulfilment

Figure 4.1 Anxious Attachment Style

Figure 4.1 Avoidant Attachment Style

Figure 4.1 Disorganised Attachment Style

List of Tables

Table 4.1 Labels Given to Infant and Adult Attachment Styles

Table 4.2 Bowlby's Original Classification of Attachment Styles

Table 5.1 Adult Attachment Behaviours

Table 14.1 Universal Emotional States

Table 14.1 Forms of Dissociation

Table 14.1 Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress

List of Exercises

Exercise 6.1 Assessment Flowchart

Exercise 6.2 Genogram Symbols

Exercise 6.1 Eva's Genogram

Exercise 6.1 Zac's Genogram

Exercise 7.1 Attachment Style Vignettes

Exercise 7.1 My Attachment Style Questionnaire

Exercise 7.1 My Attachment Style Questionnaire - Eva

Exercise 7.1 My Attachment Style Questionnaire - Dan

Exercise 7.1 My Attachment Style Questionnaire - Jas

Exercise 7.1 My Attachment Style Questionnaire - Zac

Exercise 8.1 Five P's Formulation

Exercise 8.1 Nine Steps Formulation

Exercise 8.1 Eva's Formulation Map

Exercise 8.1 Dan's Five P's Formulation

Exercise 8.1 Jas's Formulation Picture

Exercise 8.1 Zac's Formulation Story

Exercise 14.1 Jas's Record of Emotions

Exercise 15.1 Self-Imposed Barriers to Change

Exercise 15.2 ROSE acronym for managing intense emotion

Exercise 16.1 Subjective Units of Distress for Measuring Progress

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