Meg Barker – författare

Most social scientific work on intimate relationships has assumed a monogamous structure, or has considered anything other than monogamy only in the context of ''infidelity''. Yet, in recent years there has been a growing interest among researchers and the public in exploring various patterns of intimacy that involve open non-monogamy. This volume gathers contributions from academics, activists, and practitioners throughout the world to explore non-monogamous relationships. Featuring both empirical and theoretical pieces, contributors examine the history and cultural basis of various forms of non-monogamy, experiences of non-monogamous living, psychological understandings of relationship patterns, language and emotion, the discursive construction of mono-normativity as well as issues of race, class, disability, sexuality and gender. This volume will be of interest to academics and practitioners working in the social sciences and anyone who is seeking greater insight into the intricacies of non-monogamous relationships.

Most social scientific work on intimate relationships has assumed a monogamous structure, or has considered anything other than monogamy only in the context of ''infidelity''. Yet, in recent years there has been a growing interest among researchers and the public in exploring various patterns of intimacy that involve open non-monogamy. This volume gathers contributions from academics, activists, and practitioners throughout the world to explore non-monogamous relationships. Featuring both empirical and theoretical pieces, contributors examine the history and cultural basis of various forms of non-monogamy, experiences of non-monogamous living, psychological understandings of relationship patterns, language and emotion, the discursive construction of mono-normativity as well as issues of race, class, disability, sexuality and gender. This volume will be of interest to academics and practitioners working in the social sciences and anyone who is seeking greater insight into the intricacies of non-monogamous relationships.

Mindfulness represents the most significant shift in the world of counselling and psychotherapy within the last decade. Mindful approaches have been hailed as the ''third wave'' of cognitive behavioural-therapy and mindfulness has been recommended – and found to be effective at treating – a wide variety of mental health issues. There has been a proliferation of popular self-help books based on mindfulness approaches, and much debate between western mindfulness practitioners and Buddhist scholars about the ways in which mindful theory and practice is being adapted for western audiences. To date, however, there has been relatively little research or writing considering the potentials of mindfulness for the arena of sexual and relationship therapy.

This book aims to address this by bringing together many of the key practitioners and researchers who are working in this area. The book presents a range of perspectives on what mindful theory and practice has to offer to our understandings of, and work with, sex and relationships.

This book was originally published as a special issue of Sexual and Relationship Therapy.

Mindfulness represents the most significant shift in the world of counselling and psychotherapy within the last decade. Mindful approaches have been hailed as the ''third wave'' of cognitive behavioural-therapy and mindfulness has been recommended – and found to be effective at treating – a wide variety of mental health issues. There has been a proliferation of popular self-help books based on mindfulness approaches, and much debate between western mindfulness practitioners and Buddhist scholars about the ways in which mindful theory and practice is being adapted for western audiences. To date, however, there has been relatively little research or writing considering the potentials of mindfulness for the arena of sexual and relationship therapy.

This book aims to address this by bringing together many of the key practitioners and researchers who are working in this area. The book presents a range of perspectives on what mindful theory and practice has to offer to our understandings of, and work with, sex and relationships.

This book was originally published as a special issue of Sexual and Relationship Therapy.

Mindfulness is increasingly recognised as an effective therapeutic treatment with positive research outcomes evaluating its success. Meg Barker responds to our growing consciousness of mindfulness approaches, considering how its principles can inform everyday therapeutic work. The book:  - covers ways in which mindfulness approaches complement each therapeutic approach, as well as any potential conflicts and tensions that might arise

- spells out how a mindfulness approach would understand - and work with - common presenting issues, including depression, anxiety and addiction - brings together work on mindfulness from across psychotherapy, science, and philosophy

- suggests possible future directions in mindfulness, particularly those which emphasise the social component of suffering.  

This engaging and accessible book will appeal to all counselling and psychotherapy students, as well as any therapist looking to complement their own approach with mindfulness theory and practice. Meg Barker is a senior lecturer in psychology at the Open University.