A conversation with Mary Crocker Cook, Author of Awakening Hope: A Developmental, Behavioral, Biological Approach to Codendency Treatment.
ABB: Why did you feel you had to tell this story?
MCC: When my personal and professional world collapsed, despite my years of experience and personal recovery, I realized that there had to be “more” to Codependency than simple boundary setting. I learned about the early difficulty with attachment that has led to my inability to pick available partners as an adult. I learned to identify the anxious and avoidant behaviors I do that sabotage relationships, and I learned about the adrenal system damage that long-term relationship stress can create. I combined all three elements into my book to create a realistic recovery plan for Codependency. When I began to dig my way out and understand the origins of my choices more clearly I did what I do naturally which is to share the information. I have been a college instructor or over twenty years and the best way I learn is to teach. My students get the information in once semester, I have to keep hearing it semester after semester to be “reminded” of what I know.
ABB: Where do you get your ideas?
MCC: My ideas are drawn from psychological theories, personal experience, and the stories I have heard from people over the years as they share the difficulty navigating relationships that people with an early history of attachment disruption tend to have.
ABB: Do you ever experience writer’s block and how do you overcome it?
MCC: I only have difficulty writing when I am fatigued or when I am distracted by trying to do too many things at one time. I rest, simplify my schedule, and my energy returns to me.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers on the writing and publishing process?
Self-publish!!!! I have been trying to get published for years and years, and have had some response but was told I didn’t have national recognition and a big enough “platform” to move forward with a traditional publisher. Publishing through Robertson Publishing I keep the majority of the profits, have control over the book, and feel encouraged rather than discouraged.
ABB: How do you market your work? Have you found some avenues to be more successful than others?
MCC: I market through targeted e-mail marketing mostly. Educators, counselors, I speak at several professional conferences each year. I am also able to use my text in the classroom and as a therapy tool, so I have access to a few buyers every year. I wanted to be interviewed by you to try to reach out to a mainstream audience.
ABB: If your book was made into a movie, who do you picture playing each part?
MCC:
I would picture Kathy Bates playing me and James Woods playing my unfaithful partner! It would be a hoot.
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Synopsis
New Evolution in Codependency Treatment
"Awakening Hope" is the outcome of over 20 years of experience as a licensed therapist and college instructor combined with a devastating personal loss. Extensive knowledge and training in relationships didn't protect Mary from her own relationship mistake, and she was catapulted by pain into the research and development of a program to heal long-standing unhealthy relationship patterns in her life, and the lives of those she treats and teaches.
"Awakening Hope" explores the developmental attachment issues that lay the foundation for codependency; the anxious and avoidant behavioral patterns we develop in response; and the adrenal system damage accrued through years of hyper-arousal of a fight, flight, or flee response to anticipated broken attachments. Mary incorporates research, personal observation, case vignettes, and ultimately offers a plan for healing and relapse prevention.
You will discover:
* Explanations for lifelong patterns of anxiety in relationships that are grounded in research and clinical experience.
* Long established behavior patterns in relationships will "make sense" and you will have access to a clear path for change.
* The physical consequences of these long term patterns, and clearly see the connections between your anxious or avoidant codependent behaviors and physical illnesses that compromise your quality of life.
* A clear structure for treatment planning and relapse prevention planning is provided for personal use and clinical use by therapist treating codependent clients.
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About the Author
She is particularly good at identifying relationship patterns and assisting people to make lasting changes in their lives.
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FOR MORE INFO
Website: www.marycrockercook.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/mary-cook/10/508/b65
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BUY THE BOOK
Amazon: http://amzn.to/10v2GqR