Main description:

Depending on your client, the goal of therapy may be to repair an estranged relationship with their mother or to finalize parental estrangement and redefine themself. How can clinicians feel prepared to address the possible treatment focus of ruptured maternal relationships in the therapeutic space? This book focuses on identifying the estrangement cycle for clinical application with adult women clients by mental health professionals. This resource provides clinical tool to address the challenges of estrangement and adjustment needs of these clients within the spheres of personal identity, relationships, and grief and loss in order to promote personal growth and healing in the therapeutic space. This book engages readers by 1) introducing the estrangement cycle, 2) illustrating different stages of estrangement through client vignettes, and 3) providing practical tools for mental health professionals to offer clients wanting to do therapeutic work around estrangement in a supportive and nonjudgmental space. With this resource, clinicians and clients will feel better equipped with the skills needed to tackle the emotional rollercoaster that is Estrangement Energy.

Contents:

Introduction

Structure

Identity Protection

Author Experience

Chapter 1: Estrangement Defined

Terms of Estrangement

Physical Versus Emotional Estrangement

Family Frequency of Estrangement

Sibling Estrangement

The Stigma of Estrangement

Mother-Daughter Estrangement

Warning Signs for Daughters

Warning Signs for Mothers

Cultural Considerations

Clinical Considerations

Estrangement Explained

Chapter 2: Long-Term Effects of Estrangement

Symptoms of Estrangement

Impact on Partners

Impact on Siblings

Impact on Children

Impact on Other Family Members

Impact on Friends and Community Members

Chapter 3: Assumptions of Estrangement

Selfishness

Suddenness

Therapist Recommendation

Exaggerated Trauma

Refusal to Reconcile

Too Much Toxic

False Memories

Mental Health Problems

Control over Grandchildren

Chapter 4: A Woman's Worth

Mother-Daughter Attachment

Partner Attachment

Attachment Trauma

Abuse

Neglect

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Chapter 5: Introduction to The Estrangement Energy Cycle

Chapter 6: Cycle of Abuse

Power and Control

Gaslighting

Financial Abuse

Generational Trauma

Minimizing

Scapegoating

Caregiving

Defective/Denial

Superior Parenting

Chapter 7: Questioning

Shame and Guilt

Negative Core Beliefs

Self-Doubt

Emotion Dysregulation

The Burden of Busyness

Active Avoidance

Self-Criticism

Suicidal Ideation

Perfectionism

Chapter 8: Relationship Rupture

Chapter 9: Therapeutic Tools for Estrangement Energy

Shutting Down the Inner Critic

Experiencing Anticipatory Grief

Challenging Ambivalence

Exploring Forgiveness

Understanding the Fight or Flight Response

Addressing Elevated Anxiety

Watching for Warning Signs

Exploring EMDR

Staying Present

Chapter 10: Grief and Loss

Chapter 11: Discovering Sense of Self

Successful Self

Trauma Personification

Identity Formation

Sobriety Versus Recovery

Compassionate Touch

Reconciled Relationship

Positive Role Model

Professional Helper

Safe Space

Chapter 12: Deeper Work

Theme #1: What Happened is a Part of Me, But Doesn't Define Me

Theme #2: I Know and Trust Myself

Theme #3: I Can Change this Trauma Legacy for My Children

Chapter 13: Redefining Self-Worth

Chapter 14: Revisiting the Cycle

Chapter 15: Treating Men Who Are Estranged

Chapter 16: Clinical Competencies in Estrangement

Assessment

Professionalism

Intervention

Chapter 17: When Someone You Know is Estranged

For Partners

For Parents

Readiness for Reconciliation

Parent Dynamics

Shared Grief

Supporting Self-Awareness

For Siblings

For Friends and Community Members

DO

DON'T

Chapter 18: Dating and Estrangement

Chapter 19: Life After Estrangement

Chapter 20: A Final Look at Estrangement Energy

Appendix A: Warning Signs in the Mother-Daughter Relationship

Appendix B: The Estrangement Energy Cycle

Appendix C: Estrangement Energy Therapeutic Tools

Appendix D: Estrangement Clinical Competencies and Self-Assessment

Appendix E: Group Processing Questions

For Therapeutic Groups

For Book Club Discussion

References

Index

About the Author