A Therapist's Handbook to Dissolve Shame and Defense: Master the Moment

Therapists can overcome shame and self-doubt by using Susan Warren Warshow's user-friendly guide, which breaks down complex concepts into digestible elements for practical application. DEFT is a comprehensive treatment approach for demonstrable change, illustrated with clinical vignettes. The author emphasizes shame-sensitivity and introduces a three-step framework, The Healing Triad, to intervene effectively when the winds of resistance arise. This book is essential reading for advanced and newly practicing mental health practitioners.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 31 December 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Therapy can be a challenging journey for therapists, as it often involves navigating the complex terrain of shame and formidable defenses. Susan Warren Warshow has written a user-friendly guide to help therapists overcome these common treatment barriers. This unique book avoids jargon and breaks down complex concepts into easily understandable elements, making it practical for clinical application. At its core, Dynamic Emotional Focused Therapy (DEFT) is a comprehensive treatment approach that aims to bring about demonstrable change. Through rich and abundant clinical vignettes, the author illustrates the core principles of DEFT, providing a clear understanding of how to apply these techniques in real-world situations.

One of the key aspects of this handbook is its emphasis on shame-sensitivity. The author recognizes that shame is often overlooked in treatment, but it can have a profound impact on interpersonal connections. By creating a safe environment that fosters shame-sensitivity, therapists can help their clients achieve profound interpersonal connection. The author explains the therapeutic transfer of compassion for self, a relational phenomenon that purposefully generates affective expression. This approach allows therapists to tap into their clients' deep emotions and facilitate transformative change.

In addition to providing a theoretical framework, the book offers a three-step, robust framework, The Healing Triad, to guide therapists in intervening effectively when the winds of resistance arise. The Healing Triad consists of three essential elements: feeling, thinking, and doing. By focusing on these elements, therapists can help their clients identify and move beyond shame and anxiety, transform toxic guilt into reparative actions, and disarm defenses while avoiding ruptures.

Chapters in the book clarify various aspects of therapy, such as why we focus on feelings, how to identify and move beyond shame and anxiety, how to transform toxic guilt into reparative actions, and how to disarm defenses while avoiding ruptures. Each chapter is filled with practical insights and examples that will help therapists apply the principles outlined in the book to their clinical practice.

Whether you are an advanced mental health practitioner or a newly practicing therapist, this book is essential reading. It provides a comprehensive and practical guide to accessing the profound emotions in your clients for transformative change. By embracing the principles of DEFT and using the The Healing Triad framework, therapists can help their clients overcome shame, build resilience, and achieve greater well-being.

Weight: 498g
Dimension: 228 x 151 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367024390