Binder, 2004
142 pages

Description

Developing a Secure Self: An Attachment-Based Approach to Adult Psychotherapy (2007 edition) presents an approach that evolved out of my search to find a focused way in which to directly address the needs of my clients that are rooted in early insecure attachment relationships. Please go to the "Developing a Secure Self" page (link at left) for more information about this method and for responses from therapists using it.

The 175 pages of this handbook include principles, dozens of clinical examples, sample Imaginal Nurturing scripts and organizational tools. It is in a convenient three-ringed binder so pages can be readily removed for clinical use, personal notes can be added, and pages delineating any further developments in this approach can be added eliminating the need to purchase an up-dated edition.

When you order the handbook or toolkit, a laminated card summarizing the Memory-Based Imaginal Nurturing guided imagery process that can help you begin to use I-N responsively and spontaneously will be tucked inside.

Table of Contents

About the Author iii

Preface iii

List of Tables vi

List of Figures vi

Abbreviations vii

Introduction 1
Background 1
    Overview
    Other approaches
    Imagery
    History of inner child work
    Summary
Developing a Secure Self Components 5
    The therapeutic relationship
    Imaginal Nurturing
    Emotional skills development
Imaginal Nurturing Concepts 6
    Imaginal Nurturing
    Memory-Based Imaginal Nurturing
    Inspiration-Based Imaginal Nurturing
    Exploration Imagery

Attachment, Exploration, and Intersubjectivity 11
Concepts 11
Attachment Research 13
    Infant Strange Situation
    Adult Attachment Interview
Clinical Indicators of Insecure Attachment 18
    Overview
    Identity
    Intersubjectivity
    Mood
    Security
    Affect
    Summary
Continuum of Organized Attachment 21
    Structure as an organizing principle
Attachment and the Therapeutic Relationship 24
    Attachment style of the therapist
    Dependency in the therapeutic relationship
    Facilitating attunement and a close therapeutic alliance
    The Therapy Faeries

Organizational Tools 35
Attachment-Focused History 36
Therapy Lifeline 40
Client Sheet 42
Nurturing Messages Sheet 44
Balanced Affect Scale and Validity of Cognition Scale 46

Imaginal Nurturing 49
The concept 49
Who's who in Imaginal Nurturing 49
Principles of Imaginal Nurturing 53
Language 66

Imaginal Nurturing in Practice 67
Memory-Based Imaginal Nurturing 67
    Overview
    General comments
    Sample Memory-Based I-N script for women with comments
Uses of Memory-Based Imaginal Nurturing in relation to trauma work
Uses of Memory-Based Imaginal Nurturing in relation to the EMDR Standard Protocol
Inspiration-Based Imaginal Nurturing 81
    Overview
    Preparation for Inspiration-Based Imaginal Nurturing
    Sample initial Inspiration-Based Imaginal Nurturing script for men with comments
    Subsequent Inspiration-Based Imaginal Nurturing
Abbreviated Inspiration-Based Imaginal Nurturing 90
Exploration Imagery 92
    Overview
    Sample Exploration Imagery script for women
Incorporating I-N and DSS into therapy 97

Problems That May Arise in Imaginal Nurturing 101

Emotional Skills 111
Enhancing Skills Through Working With Structure 111
    Narrative
    Breathing
    The body
The Imaginal Home 114
    Working with the Imaginal Home
    Characteristics of the Imaginal Home
    Sample Imaginal Home script
    Uses of the Imaginal Home
Emotional Skills Techniques 117
    Attachment status and skills
    Techniques

In Conclusion 129

Bibliography 131

Appendix: Sample Scripts 135
Sample Memory-Based Imaginal Nurturing Script for Women 135
Sample Memory-Based Imaginal Nurturing Script for Men 137
Sample Inspiration-Based Imaginal Nurturing Script for Women 140
Sample Inspiration-Based Imaginal Nurturing Script for Men 143
Sample Exploration Imagery Script for Women 146
Sample Exploration Imagery Script for Men 150
Sample Imaginal Home Script for Women and Men 153

Organizational Tools: Sheets for clinical use [in front pocket]
Attachment-Focused History
Therapy Lifeline
Client Sheet
Nurturing and Encouraging Messages Sheet

Laminated Balanced Affect Scale and Validity of Cognition Scale [in front pocket]
CD Information and Order Form [in back pocket]
Consultation Information [in back pocket]

Reviews

"I've been studying and using the DSS materials you sent last month, and my clients are simply loving the I-N work. It fits in perfectly with my theoretical base of the attachment relationship between client and therapist..... Anyway all this to just say this is terrific, deep sophisticated work and the clarity of your presentation in written form is truly amazing. I've been a therapist now for 24 years, and this discovery has been nearly as fruitful as learning EMDR. That says a great deal about the power of your creation, April."

~ Mary Kay Neumann, LCSW

About the Author

April Steele is a psychotherapist in private practice with offices in Nanaimo and Gabriola, British Columbia (which is the most westerly province in Canada). Her Master's degree is from the College of Family and Consumer Studies at the University of Guelph. She also hs a Master's-level diploma from the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute, is a registered art therapist and a past president of the BC Art Therapy Association. Certified by EMDRIA (the EMDR International Association), and an EMDRIA-approved consultant, she has been an active participant on the professional EMDR discussion list since 1998. Her experience includes work in sexual abuse programs in Nanaimo and Vancouver, as well as at a mental health centre and an alcohol and drug program.

In specializing in working with adults with histories of abuse and neglect, she has become especially interested in attachment and the effects of early deficits. Developing a Secure Self is an approach I have created for working with clients with childhood histories of neglect, emotional abuse, and attachment issues. Imaginal Nurturing, its major component, utilizes guided imagery to directly address these issues which cannot be resolved simply by reprocessing trauma. Imaginal Nurturing is now being used in many countries around the world. As an EMDRIA credit provider, she offers training workshops in the Developing a Secure Self approach.