Letting Go of Self-Destructive Behaviors

by Lisa Ferentz

Letting Go of Self-Destructive Behaviors offers inspiring, hopeful, creative resources for the millions of male and female adolescents and adults who struggle with eating disorders, addictions, any form of self-mutilation. It is also a workbook for the clinicians who treat them. Using journaling exercises, drawing and collaging prompts, guided imagery, visualizations, and other behavioral techniques, readers will learn how to understand, compassionately work with, and heal from their behaviors rather than distracting from or fighting against them, which can dramatically reduce internal conflict and instill genuine hope. Techniques are provided in easy-to-follow exercises that focus on calming the body, containing overwhelming emotions, managing negative and distorted thoughts, re-grounding from flashbacks, addressing tension and anxiety, decreasing a sense of vulnerability, strengthening assertiveness and communication skills, and accessing inner wisdom. This workbook can be used in conjunction with Treating Self-Destructive Behaviors in Trauma Survivors, 2nd ed , also by Lisa Ferentz, to allow therapists and their clients to approach the behaviors from the same strengths-based perspective. Workbook exercises can be completed as homework assignments or as part of a therapy session. In either case, the client is given the opportunity to process their work and share their insights with a compassionate witness and trained professional, making the healing journey even safer and more rewarding.

Genres: Psychology, Counselling, Nonfiction, Self Help

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Carmen Blankenship · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book opened something up in me. I was drawn to it simply because I knew by the title I would relate. I WAS Leary about if I read or learn anything I hadn't already. See I'm 38 and have struggled with both cutting and addiction my whole life. Well, from adolescence until now. If you passed me on the street or sat next to me at work you'd never know my arms are scarred from forearm to shoulder. It simply wouldn't make sense to many. It doesn't make sense me sometimes. I have been sober 4 years and haven't cut in 1. But I struggle. What this book did was give me A LOT of insight and helped me understand triggers and possible reasons for this need to escape pain. Emotional pain. Sometimes just reading the explanations of our behavior when we can't find the words to truly explain what we feel can be a huge validation. I will keep the journal and look back on the questions I answered and reflect. It's a relief to know you're not alone. I know so many young women who I will present this book to. It should be mandatory for treatment centers. I learned so much while doing the exercises even if was at times painful being honest with yourself is painful but the you can heal. I thank you for helping me get on the road confound just that..... healing.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Princess Godoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

(I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an Honest review)

As someone who's training to become a Psychologist, this book really interest me and I think that it is not just helpful for me but also for it's target audience which is someone who is suffering from destructive behavior.

It is packed with experiences that can connect to the readers and helpful tips in overcoming them. It is not just informative but it's also interactive because it has worksheets.

I can say that this is one of my favorite self-help book because it tackles important topic like teenage angst and romanticizing self-harm (which is not talked about but important) and properly differentiating bulimia, bingeing and anorexia

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This workbook has the potential to be life-changing for many people. I read through the workbook hoping to be able to recommend it to some of the teens that I work with. However, I feel strongly that this book is likely more appropriate for adults than for teens. I was uncomfortable with some of the assumptions that the book puts forth about the functions of the behaviours, the nature of the trauma (e.g., I foresee some of the teens I work with minimizing their trauma when held next to some of the examples in the book), and caregivers (e.g., there is a general theme within the book that parents are a source of trauma rather than a resource to cope with trauma, though I suspect this is unintentional--this is not the message I want to send to my client's parents). That said, the theory underlying this approach and the exercises themselves are very applicable and useful for the teens I work with. All-in-all, while there is excellent material within this workbook, I will need to be very thoughtful about which clients I might recommend it for, or which pieces of the workbook to work through with them.

[Kimmie · Rating 5 out of 5]

She really hits the correct spots. Very helpful

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, relatable material for teens and adults. It has helped many of my clients as we process the trauma and the self-destructive behaviors that often go alongside it.