The groundbreaking guide to self-healing and getting the love you missed “Years ago, I was on vacation and read The Emotionally Absent Mother. That book was one of many that woke me up. . . . I began the process of reparenting and it’s changed my life.”—Dr. Nicole LePera, New York Times–bestselling author of How to Do the Work Was your mother preoccupied, distant, or even demeaning? Have you struggled with relationships—or with your own self-worth? Often, the grown children of emotionally absent mothers can’t quite put a finger on what’s missing from their lives. The children of abusive mothers, by contrast, may recognize the abuse—but overlook its lasting, harmful effects. Psychotherapist Jasmin Lee Cori has helped thousands of men and women heal the hidden wounds left by every kind of undermothering. In this second edition of her pioneering book, with compassion for mother and child alike, she explains: Possible reasons your mother was distracted or hurtful—and what she was unable to give The lasting impact of childhood emotional neglect and abuse How to find the child inside you and fill the “mother gap” through reflections and exercises How to secure a happier future for yourself (and perhaps for your children).

The groundbreaking guide to self-healing and getting the love you missed. Was your mother preoccupied, distant, or even demeaning? Have you struggled with relationships—or with your own self-worth? Often, the grown children of emotionally absent mothers can’t quite put a finger on what’s missing from their lives. The children of abusive mothers, by contrast, may recognize the abuse—but overlook its lasting, harmful effects. Psychotherapist Jasmin Lee Cori has helped thousands of men and women heal the hidden wounds left by every kind of undermothering. In this second edition of her pioneering book, with compassion for mother and child alike, she explains: Possible reasons your mother was distracted or hurtful—and what she was unable to give The lasting impact of childhood emotional neglect and abuse How to find the child inside you and fill the “mother gap” through reflections and exercises How to secure a happier future for yourself (and perhaps for your children)

This book provides a well-researched biblical and scientific overview of abuse. A broad overview, it deals with the various types of abuse, the various effects of abuse, and the means of healing. Abuse can be sexual, physical, neglect, spiritual, and verbal. The chief arguments pursued throughout the book are: (1) abuse is far more rampant than most Christians realize, but due to human depravity and satanic influence, widespread abuse is predicable. (2) All types of abuse create profound, long-term soul damage due to the way abuse perverts various aspects of the image of God. (3) God is the healing redeemer. Human salvation came through horrible physical abuse. (4) Healing must take place in the context of relationships. Humans are deeply impacted by others due to being made in the image of God. Just as surely as abusive relationships have tremendous power to wound the soul, so healthy relationships have tremendous power to nurture and heal the soul. Questions answered in the book include: How can a genuine believer abuse a child? Why would someone abuse a child? How can parents and children's workers identify abusers? How can abuse victims heal? What does genuine healing look like? Is anger appropriate or hurtful for abuse victims? Where does forgiveness fit in? This second edition has been updated to reflect research conducted and published in the past 15 years on abuse and trauma. It accounts for the significant social changes and increased mental health struggles in our culture, including dramatic escalation in rates of depression, anxiety, suicide, and isolation, which exacerbate the effects of abuse and complicate the healing process. Based on their now-extensive trauma care experience, this new edition helps readers how to minister to new domestic and global victims such as sex trafficking survivors, foster children, refugees, and survivors of genocide. Examples and illustrations are updated with more recent ones from high-profile abuse cases and the aftermath of the #MeToo movement. The appendixes include lists of helpful resources for child protection policies, worker/parent child abuse education, warning signs of potential abusers, and general abuse resources (books, internet sites, and organizations) to equip ministry leaders are provided in appendices. Illustrations, case studies, and art therapy drawings.

Would you like to raise almost perfect kids? Family therapist and parent Gregory Popcak and his wife, Lisa, are back with their second edition of Parenting with Grace: The Catholic Parents' Guide to Raising almost Perfect Kids. This latest updated version continues to guide parents through each stage of child development, from infancy through adolescence, offering additional age-specific advice on "parenting with grace." Practical, faithful, and humorous, Parenting with Grace will help you discover: Seven factors that make Catholic parents unique. How to C.A.R.E. enough to parent your very best Practical, faith-filled solutions to common problems of every childhood stage -- sleep problems, tantrums, faith issues, childhood fears, dating, dealing with technology and media, and much, much more! This book's uniquely Catholic approach to parenting combines vigorous relational advice with careful theology and plenty of good humor." -- Publishers Weekly

Was your mother too busy, too tired, or too checked-out to provide you with the nurturing you needed as a child? Men and women who were “undermothered” as children often struggle with intimate relationships, in part because of their unmet need for maternal care. The Emotionally Absent Mother will help you understand what was missing from your childhood, how this relates to your mother’s own history, and how you can fill the “mother gap” by: Examining the past with compassion for yourself and your mother Finding the child inside of you and learning to mother yourself Opening to the archetype of the Good Mother Allowing friends and loved ones to provide support, guidance, and other elements of good mothering that you missed Through reflections, exercises, and clear explanations, psychotherapist Jasmin Lee Cori helps adult sons and daughters heal the wounds left by mothers who failed to provide the essential ingredients that every child needs. She traces perceived personal “defects” back to mothering deficits, relieving self-blame. And, by teaching today’s undermothered adults to cultivate the mothering they missed, she helps them secure a happier future—for themselves and their children.

Did your mother’s love always feel out of reach, conditional, or absent? Have the wounds of being emotionally neglected by the person who should have nurtured you left lasting scars? Are you searching for a way to understand, heal, and finally reclaim your sense of worth? Growing up with an emotionally absent mother is a profound and isolating experience, often leaving adult children feeling invisible, unlovable, or like they never measured up. You may find yourself grappling with self-doubt, anxiety, and strained relationships, all while struggling to give yourself the compassion your childhood lacked. Mothers can be emotionally distant for many reasons: unresolved trauma, cultural pressures, depression, perfectionism, or being overwhelmed by life’s demands. Perhaps your mother seemed preoccupied, cold, or incapable of meeting your emotional needs. She may have been physically present but disconnected, unable to express affection or interest, leaving you with an enduring sense of emptiness. If you recognize these signs in your mother, this book is for you: - Her affection felt conditional, based on your achievements or behavior. - She kept you at a distance, or her love felt transactional. - Your emotions were dismissed, minimized, or never acknowledged. - She rarely expressed pride in or delight about who you are. - Her mood was unpredictable, making you hyper-vigilant to avoid conflict. - She prioritized appearances over genuine connection, often more invested in her image than your well-being. - Conversations were one-sided, dominated by her struggles or needs. - You often walked on eggshells, trying to avoid her judgment or disapproval. - She had her own emotional struggles that overshadowed your needs. These behaviors, and more, shape how you perceive yourself and others. The damage can be subtle yet all-encompassing, affecting your ability to trust, express emotions, or feel deserving of love and acceptance. Perhaps you: - Feel burdened by guilt and unworthiness, questioning your own value. - Struggle with a pervasive sense of rejection, constantly fearing abandonment. - Battle perfectionism or people-pleasing as you yearn for validation. - Experience emotional numbness, having disconnected from your own feelings to cope. - Find yourself drawn to relationships that echo your childhood pain. But there is hope. This book offers compassionate guidance to help you recognize and heal these invisible wounds. Inside, you’ll discover practical strategies to break free from destructive patterns, cultivate self-worth, and transform the legacy of emotional absence into one of resilience and emotional presence. You deserve healing, love, and a future free from the shadows of your past. This book will walk with you as you reclaim your self-worth, build fulfilling relationships, and discover the peace and wholeness that have always been within reach.

How millions of PTSD suffers learned to live without fear, pain, depression, and self-doubt The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Sourcebook, Third Edition introduces survivors, loved ones, and helpers to the remarkable range of treatment alternatives and self-management techniques available today to break through the pain and realize recovery and growth. This updated edition incorporates all-new diagnostics from the DSM-5 and covers the latest treatment techniques and research findings surrounding the optimization of brain health and function, sleep disturbance, new USDA dietary guidelines and the importance of antioxidants, early childhood trauma, treating PTSD and alcoholism, the relationship between PTSD and brain injury, suicide and PTSD, somatic complaints associated with PTSD, and more.