Modern life is tough on young people, and perhaps toughest on the generatiose adolescence and early adulthood has been indelibly marked by Brexit, the Covid-19 lockdowns, war in Europe, economic recession and the mixed blessings of social media. Beneath the looming shadow of the impacts of climate change, Gen Z, the so-called zoomers, are hanging onto the rails on a rollercoaster ride through the social, economic, environmental and political chaos of modern life, and their mental health is suffering. Psychotherapist Jeanine Connor turns her focus to this generation in another series of vivid portraits of what goes on behind the doors of her therapy room. We meet Stan, standing on the threshold of adulthood and grappling with love, sex and death; Preesha, the social influencer, whose life is being shaped by the demands of the media and its conflicts with her cultural family history, and Drew, whose vivid dreams hint at a sexuality that flies in the face of all his notions of masculinity. We sit alongside Keziah, who doesn't 'need' therapy but whose (literally) f*cking mother provides the title (and connecting theme) for the book; Morgan, whose emotionless exterior belies a traumatic childhood, and Bea, the beauty, who wants the fairy tale ending, but not if it reduces her to the status of arm-candy on the biceps of the beast. These therapeutic snapshots bring to life the theories pioneered by Freud and his descendants and make compulsive reading for all those concerned with the human psyche and the struggles of young adults in the Western industrialised world today. They illustrate how mothers show up in (almost) everybody's psychotherapy, and how they, their and our own heritages and baggage shape us all.
Publisher: PCCS Books
ISBN: 9781915220455
Number of pages: 260
Weight: 350 g
Dimensions: 216 x 138 x 14 mm
In a world where everybody is talking about mental health, psychotherapy still has an image problem. Though TikTok and Instagram have made psychology the Lingua Franca of today's youth, what actually goes on behind the consulting room door still remains a mystery. Fortunately, You're Not My Fcking Mother is not just another f*cking therapy book. Connor's refreshingly frank dialogue and relatable stories wonderfully humanise what therapy (and being a therapist) is all about. Accessible, yet grounded in theory, this is a must-read for all, from Gen Z to Gen X - and their f*cking mothers. - Aaron Balick, psychotherapist and author; Not only is it a rollicking read, this book is a bang-up-to-date account of the real-world struggles that young people face today. Social media hell holes and the pandemic hangover are among the themes that Jeanine takes on, with the steadying foundations of Freud and our earliest experiences. Her writing is fresh and bold and never gets gummed up with 'therapy-speak'. This is an essential book for anyone who works with, or cares for or about young people, which is all of us. - Sally Donovan OBE, author of The Strange and Curious Guide to Trauma; Jeanine Connor's latest book is an indispensable resource for psychotherapists, both novice and experienced. By delving into the intricate world of adolescent and young adult therapy through vivid case studies, Connor offers a rare glimpse into the emotional rollercoaster faced by clients and therapists alike. This book skilfully navigates the highs and lows of therapeutic work, providing invaluable insights into the complexities of the therapeutic relationship. It's a must-read for any therapist seeking to deepen their understanding and empathy. A testament to Connor's expertise, this book is a beacon for those committed to the profound journey of healing and growth. - Richard Nicholls, psychotherapist and author of 15 Minutes to Happiness; In this magnificently written volume - more like a gripping theatre drama than a traditional textbook - the experienced psychotherapist and author Jeanine Connor transports us on a gripping journey into the minds of adolescents and young people with great wisdom, covering everything from so-called good and bad maternal breasts to teenage sex to the impact of Covid to the challenges of Gen Z and Gen C. Our genius ancestors, Sigmund Freud and Donald Winnicott, would absolutely have included this book on their essential reading lists - Brett Kahr, Senior Fellow, Tavistock Institute of Medical Psychology and Visiting Professor of Psychoanalysis and Mental Health, Regent's University London
Please sign in to write a review
Would you like to proceed to the App store to download the Waterstones App?
