Expressing Emotion Myths, Realities, and Therapeutic Strategies

by Kennedy-Moore, Eileen; Watson, Jeanne C.

• ISBN13: 9781572304734
• ISBN10: 1572304731
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-06-11
• Publisher: The Guilford Press

Summary

This clearly written book examines the role of emotional expression and nonexpression in individual adaptation, social interaction, and the therapeutic process. Synthesizing a vast body of theory and research into a coherent conceptual framework, the authors show that expression and nonexpression come in many different forms, with a wide range of consequences for personal well- being and relationship satisfaction. Including helpful clinical examples, the book provides guidelines for the assessment and treatment of problems related to emotional behaviour.

Author Biography

Jeanne C. Watson, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Adult Education, Community Development and Counselling Psychology at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto. She is the coeditor of the Handbook of Experiential Psychotherapy and has written numerous articles on psychotherapy process and outcome. Dr. Watson has a part-time private practice in Toronto.

Table of Contents

PART I. INTRODUCTION	3	(22)
1. Expression, Nonexpression, and Well-Being: An Overview	3	(22)
PART II. INTRAPERSONAL PROCESSES	25	(84)
2. The Myth of Emotional Venting	25	(38)
3. Blind Spots and Epiphanies: Expression, Nonexpression, and Emotional Insight	63	(28)
4. The "Shoulds," "Oughts," and "Musts" of Emotional Behavior: Expressive Goals and Values	91	(18)
PART III. INTERPERSONAL PROCESSES	109	(96)
5. Family Socialization of Emotional Behavior	109	(26)
6. Men, Women, and the Language of Love	135	(47)
7. Telling One's Troubles: Expression of Distress in Intimate Relationships	182	(23)
PART IV. TREATMENT IMPLICATIONS	205	(90)
8. Expression and Nonexpression in Psychotherapy: Facilitating Emotional Understanding and Behavioral Change	205	(20)
9. Beyond Sadness: Therapeutic Approaches to Emotional Constriction in Depression	225	(15)
10. Flooding or Blunting: Vacillating Expression and Nonexpression in Bereavement and Trauma	240	(18)
11. Emotional Expression in Marital Therapy	258	(15)
12. Expression-Related Interventions in Health Psychology	273	(22)
PART V. CONCLUSION	295	(12)
13. Balance in Emotional Behavior	295	(12)
References	307	(44)
Index	351