Living Like You Mean It

In LIVING LIKE YOU MEAN IT, author Ronald J. Frederick, does a
brilliant job of describing why people are so afraid of their
emotions and how this fear creates a variety of problems in their
lives. While the problems are different, the underlying issue is
often the same. At the core of their distress is what Dr. Frederick
refers to as feelings phobia. Whether it s the experience of love,
joy, anger, sadness, or surprise, our inborn ability to be a fully
feeling person has been hijacked by fear--and it s fear that s
keeping us from a better life.

The book begins with a questionnaire-style list that help
readers take an honest look at themselves and recognize whether and
how they are afraid of their feelings. It then moves on to explore
the origins of fear of feeling and introduces a four-part program
for overcoming the fear: (1) Become aware of and learn to recognize
feelings--anger, sadness, joy, love, fear, guilt/shame, surprise,
disgust. (2) Master techniques for taming the fear. (3) Let the
feeling work its way all the way through to its resolution. (4)
Open up and put those feelings into words and communicate them
confidently. With wisdom, humor, and compassion, the book uses
stories and examples to help readers see that overcoming feelings
phobia is the key to a better life and more fulfilling
relationships.

Auteur

The Author RONALD J. FREDERICK, Ph.D., is a cofounder of the Center for Courageous Living, which offers innovative therapy, coaching, and consulting. He is a licensed psychologist and life coach with more than fifteen years experience helping people get the life they really want. Frederick is a senior faculty member of the Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy Institute as well as the clinical supervisor of Park House, an outpatient program of Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Résumé
In LIVING LIKE YOU MEAN IT, author Ronald J. Frederick, does a brilliant job of describing why people are so afraid of their emotions and how this fear creates a variety of problems in their lives. While the problems are different, the underlying issue is often the same. At the core of their distress is what Dr. Frederick refers to as feelings phobia. Whether it s the experience of love, joy, anger, sadness, or surprise, our inborn ability to be a fully feeling person has been hijacked by fear--and it s fear that s keeping us from a better life. The book begins with a questionnaire-style list that help readers take an honest look at themselves and recognize whether and how they are afraid of their feelings. It then moves on to explore the origins of fear of feeling and introduces a four-part program for overcoming the fear: (1) Become aware of and learn to recognize feelings--anger, sadness, joy, love, fear, guilt/shame, surprise, disgust. (2) Master techniques for taming the fear. (3) Let the feeling work its way all the way through to its resolution. (4) Open up and put those feelings into words and communicate them confidently. With wisdom, humor, and compassion, the book uses stories and examples to help readers see that overcoming feelings phobia is the key to a better life and more fulfilling relationships.

Contenu

Acknowledgments vii

Introduction xiii

Part One: Preparation

1 To Feel or Not to Feel 3

2 How the Heck Did I Get This Way? 23

Part Two: Taking Action

3 Step One: Becoming Aware of Your Feelings 45

4 Step One, Continued: Becoming Aware of Your Defenses 64

5 Step Two: Taming the Fear 87

6 Step Three: Feeling It Through 108

7 Step Four: Opening Up 131

8 Putting It All Together 151

Conclusion: Making a Choice 170

Appendix: Seeking Professional Help 173

Notes 175

The Author 179

Index 181