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Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'
Polysecure: Attachment, Trauma and Consensual Nonmonogamy by Jessica Fern
11 reviews
hale7's review against another edition
3.75
Minor: Infidelity, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Colonisation, Abandonment, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
tmchopra's review
4.0
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Sexual content
christalbotheindl's review
4.5
I also appreciated the suggestions for reflection that help you determine why you are practicing consensual nonmonogamy, what you need from each partner vs what they provide and can provide, what each partner needs from you vs what you provide and can provide. I found it illuminating to read the chapters and reflect on the questions. It also informed me of what I wasn't getting in my attached relationship when my relationship was monogamous and how ridiculous it was of me to feel resentment towards my partner for not providing it — so I believe it will strengthen my already existing marriage as well, by helping me understand the nature of that relationship and what we share in it.
Minor: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Abandonment
twistykris's review against another edition
4.75
I loved the way the book is sectioned off with Part 1 addressing the attachment styles and trauma, Part 2 focusing on nonmonogamy and how the attachment styles fit in, and Part 3 giving guidance on now to be more secure in your relationships with others and yourself. Each section has some questions and thinking exercises to mull over, as well as some bullet points of suggestions, making it easy to digest.
A few things to note are how this book feels very focused on couples in current relationships transitioning to polyamory, not so much single, solo-poly folks.
I also think there were some suggestions to improve attachment and relationship security that just weren't inclusive of neurodivergent folks- keeping eye contact, always being "on and actively listening" is something that can be very difficult but not intentionally neglectful for someone who's neurodivergent. I would have loved to see more representation for asexual folks as well, as they also can have and enjoy sex!
There are a few charts and graphs used in this book that I don't know are explained well in the audiobook, so if you're able to read a physical/ digital copy or have a friend describe the images to you, I think that could be very beneficial for some.
Overall, this book was very well-written, despite the serious lack of research on attachment styles relating to polyamory. Jessica Fern did a great job of making the attachment styles and types of CNM easy to understand while also relating some of her personal insight as a therapist and someone who practices polyamory herself. I learned so much about myself, my relationship with my partner, and how I can navigate potential relationships in the future!
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Infidelity
Minor: Grief and Child abuse
violetends's review
4.75
This is well-researched and based on years of personal experience as a therapist focused on non-monogamous individuals and relationships. Her perspective is empathetic while gently nudging the reader to glance at painful feelings, experiences and own behaviours. I appreciate this combination a lot and consider it much more helpful than other approaches I have sometimes read.
Polysecure is a good introduction to nonmonogamy but I also believe that more experienced people can take a lot from it, or those who are in connections with people who are less experienced.
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, and Misogyny
redefiningrachel's review against another edition
4.0
Minor: Toxic relationship, Misogyny, and Emotional abuse
emfass's review
5.0
Moderate: Infidelity, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Child abuse and Abandonment
rtaire's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Abandonment and Child abuse
deux's review against another edition
4.0
Minor: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
sjanke2's review
1.5
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Grief, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship