Expressing Emotion: Myths, Realities, and Therapeutic Strategies

by Eileen Kennedy-Moore, Jeanne C. Watson

Emotional expression is the link between internal experience and the outside world. It is intimately connected to who we are, how we feel, and how we relate to others. In daily life, expression enables people to communicate with each other and influence relationships; in psychotherapy, it provides important information about how clients are feeling and how they are relating to the therapist. This lucid volume examines expressions of such feelings as love, anger, and sadness, and highlights the individual and interpersonal processes that shape emotional behavior. It offers a lively and comprehensive discussion of the role of emotional expression and nonexpression in individual adaptation, social interaction, and therapeutic process.

Drawing upon extensive theory and research, the authors provide coherent guidelines to help clinicians, researchers, and students identify, conceptualize, and treat problems in emotional behavior. They show that expression and nonexpression come in many different forms, with a wide range of personal and relational consequences. The effects of expressing one's feelings depend on what is expressed, to whom, in what way, and in what context. Expression can lead to greater self-knowledge, enhanced coping, and fuller intimacy, but it can also result in embarrassment, misunderstanding, or rejection. Conversely, nonexpression can involve a frustrating lack of opportunity to express, or problems in accessing or articulating feelings, but it can also reflect cultural values or effective coping efforts. Through vivid clinical examples, the authors illuminate a range of problems related to both expression and nonexpression, and provide insight into how these can be addressed in individual and couple therapy.

This practical and clearly written guide is an important resource for teachers, students, and researchers of clinical, counseling, social, personality, and health psychology, as well as practicing counselors and psychotherapists. It will also serve as a text in advanced undergraduate and graduate-level courses on emotion and interpersonal communication, and in graduate-level counseling and psychotherapy seminars.

365 pages, Paperback

Published March 15, 2001

About the author

Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, aka "Dr. Friendtastic," is an author, psychologist, and speaker, who specializes in parenting and children’s feelings and friendships. Her most recent books for children are Moody Moody Cars and Growing Friendships: A Kids' Guide to Making and Keeping Friends . She has also written or co-authored four books for parents: Kid Confidence , Smart Parenting for Smart Kids , The Unwritten Rules of Friendship , and What’s My Child Thinking?

Dr. Kennedy-Moore's podcast, Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic, features 5-minute episodes answering children's questions about friendship. Her blog, Growing Friendships on Psychology Today has over 4.8 million views.

As a trusted expert on parenting and child development, Dr. Kennedy-Moore has been a featured guest on Live with Kelly and Ryan, The Today Show, Good Day Philadelphia, and dozens of radio shows and podcasts. She has been quoted many times in major newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune Parents, Real Simple, Working Mother, and, Woman's Day.

Dr. Kennedy-Moore has a private practice in Princeton, NJ (lic. #35SI00425400), where she works with adults, children, and families, and she often presents at schools, corporations, and conferences. She and her husband have four grown children.

Learn more at EileenKennedyMoore.com or DrFriendtastic.com (for kids).