Boy Talk: How You Can Help Your Son Express His Emotions

What events and processes occur in the lives of open and expressive boys that often change them into locked-down, uncommunicative adolescents? In this book, a counseling psychologist draws on her own extensive research to help your understand the communication challenges faced by your son or a boy you care about. The book begins with the assumption that boys of all dispositions, from outgoing athletes to introspective intellectuals, need help and support to make it through their adolescences. The book suggests ways you can help the boy in your life make small, incremental changes that will help him express his emotions. It also offers you, the adult, a variety of effective approaches for dealing with specific problem behaviors and situations you might encounter with your growing boy.

Mary Polce-Lynch, Ph.D., is a developmental psychologist, psychotherapist, and researcher. Over the past twenty years, she has worked in public education, community mental health, and higher education. Polce-Lynch is the Assistant Director of the Center for Counseling and Career Planning at Randolph-Macon College, where she also teaches Psychology of Gender as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology. She has published professional articles throughout her career and is currently directing her writing toward general readers, especially parents. She has a private clinical practice in Richmond, Virginia with Westhampton Family Psychologists. She lives in Ashland, Virginia.

Michael Gurian is a family therapist, educator, and author of fourteen books including the national best sellers The Wonder of Boys, A Fine Young Man, and Boys and Girls Learn Differently. He has served as a consultant to school districts, families, therapists, community agencies, churches, and policy makers, traveling to approximately thirty-five cities a year to lead seminars, consult, and keynote conferences. Gurian’s training videos for parents and volunteers are used by Big Brothers and Big Sisters agencies in the U.S. and Canada. He lives in Spokane, Washington.