Finally a book for those who struggle!

Being new to really opening up and giving poly a shot, this book was what I needed and wanted in emotional support and guidance. Reading the "Ethical Slut," "Sex at Dawn," and "More than Two," left me feeling intellectually, and even spiritually, on board with the concept of Polyamory. However, the books also left me feeling inept, small, insecure, and frustrated, in the emotional struggles that have followed. "Polysecure" takes the fundamentals of attachment theory and helps apply them to polyamory so people can still achieve securely attached relationships in a nurturing, conscious and healthy way. I really appreciate the way the author approaches the topic with compassion and with gentleness. She does a wonderful job at not pathologizing what would be classified as an "insecure" attachment style. Hearing how and why different attachment styles develop helped me gain self awareness, acceptance, and compassion instead of feeling shame and embarrassment for instances of less than "secure" behavior. She also highlights that polyamory is inherently a path into uncertainty, and naturally, going to be triggering at times. Just hearing this admitted was just a breath of fresh air and a relief. Not only was the information in the book sensitive and supportive, having the narration done by the author really captures her warmth and care. After reading the book, I feel like I have the tools, support, and self compassion to start moving forward with the emotional side of the journey in a way that is healthy and patient with myself and others.

4 people found this helpful

Seemed Poly and Mono Relationships Very Similar

The book called out there was a big difference between monogamous and poly relationships but most of the advice was very similar to what you would give to someone in a monogamous relationship. Focus on yourself, understand your attachment issues, be a better partner. With poly relationships there are more partners granted, but the advice seemed very similar.

4 people found this helpful

Recommend for anyone in any type of relationship!

This content is so rich an helpful in understanding the self and the partner(s). As a psychotherapist, I read this to better support my clients in consensual non-monogamous relationships. Jessica Fern did a wonderful job talking about attachment and how to apply practices to the self and various relationships.

2 people found this helpful

A must-read for CNM persons

Amazing how long it has taken for a book like this to be written. Polysecure is a perfect accompaniment to “Smart Girl’s Guide to Polyamory” (which itself is a great substitution for “More Than Two” following the accusations against Veaux).

Fern takes a compassionate approach to CNM and all the attachment styles, providing guidance for navigating the issues that arise. I also feel like I understand attachment theory a lot better.

Planning on reading several times. Thank you so much, Jessica Fern.

2 people found this helpful

Insanely boring, poor audio quality & narration

After listening to More than two, I expected this might be equally useful to listen to, but dear god it is boring! It reads like a text book lecture on the forms of attachment, which is good information I'm sure, however it is so much for so long that it's just hard to listen to, especially when the narration is TERRIBLE! She will break off mid sentence and pop back on very often, where it is clear a mistake was made and rather than re-doing the line, she will punch in where she messed up creating weird and jarring audio with fade in and out effects in the middle of what she's saying, and they are constant! I am 4 or 5 chapters in and she STILL hasn't moved past explaining attachment styles in her dry, clinical, bored professor lecturing way. I'm sure it has great information in it somewhere, but I'm noping out, just cannot listen to another minute of this.

1 person found this helpful

Great Starting Point

Fantastic resource for more than just people practicing consensual nonmonogamy (CNM). I was enamored by the structure of the book. Starting with a glossary, the author then gives you a brief outline of what you will read, starting with foundational principles (in this case attachment theory), then how they relate to CNM, finally moving to strategies on how to apply those to your interpersonal relationships. The author will then make references to previous sections or inform you when this particular topic will surface again.

While focusing on CNM, this book has something for people of many different relationship styles. The first third of the book is about attachment theory mostly devoid of any CNM context, and the principles presented could easily be applied to a monogamous relationship or platonic friendship.

The author doesn't present the book as the be-all and end-all; repeatedly stating that research is severely lacking in this area. The author will frequently list other books and resources to continue your learning. This book seems meant to be a start, not an end, to growth in creating secure attachments with one's self and others.

1 person found this helpful

Alt title: Confronting Complex Trauma for Dummies

The book introduces an overview of attatchment styles and the way our trauma-informed brains apply the styles from our development throughout pur lives and future relationships. It is full of wonderful general relationship and communication advice, and details specifically how people who are nonmonogamous can work to serve the relationship partners' as well as their own needs, hopes, and desires.

1 person found this helpful

Awesome

I've never read a book about attachment so thoroughly clear, affirming and non shaming. Very very good.

1 person found this helpful

attachment style defined!

loved it! the first the few chapters on attachment style were eye opening! so good!

1 person found this helpful

Life Changing

This book was recommended to me and I was so thankful I found it. I must say this book goes into great detail about attachment styles and how to be a better human in general. I am a Husband, a Father, a Son and a partner to a variety of people and this book helped me understand myself and understand all of my connections which inturn help me become better in all of my relationships. I wish this was the first poly book I ever read!