Search Results for: kessler/2009/11/nerf-guns-–-what-are-we-afraid-of/2009/11/nerf-guns-–-what-are-we-afraid-of/2009/11/your-role-in-your-childs-development/2009/06/communicating-with-children

How to Help Yourself Through Change

…nstrated, our brains are already resistant to change. We spend most of our development deepening neural pathways and establishing how things work, so a sudden change can feel threatening. Our survival-driven brains are designed to perceive change as potentially dangerous. So, imagine the stress it puts on a person to adjust to an actual threat such as a global pandemic. My point here is that it is normal for us to feel resistant to change. In this…

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Are You Leaving Parts of Your “Self” Behind?

…ences and relationships that support our evolving growth and deep personal development. When we leave parts of ourselves behind, we can unknowingly and inadvertently live life like a sieve, with moments of your life running through you like water rather than adding to and strengthening the foundation of your “self.” Rejected self-components can remain suspended in time and siphon off energy to remain out of awareness. Disruptive Self-Ownership is…

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Creating a Life of Meaning and Compassion: Part 2

…ion about using this period of time creatively and constructively for self-development. It reviewed goals and qualities toward that pursuit that were outlined in Creating a Life of Meaning and Compassion written by my husband, Robert Firestone. In his words, “If the good life is fundamentally one in which we fully develop our human potentialities, describing these potentialities is central to our understanding of how to proceed.” This blog explain…

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creating a life of meaning

Creating a Life of Meaning and Compassion: Part I

…ve the unique capacity for abstract thought. The creation of language, the development of complex mathematical systems, and the evolution of culture began with the ability to think abstractly, in symbols. However, many of us lose touch with our capacity to function creatively and intellectually, and end up living in a shallow, concrete, or rigid fashion. Erich Fromm reminds us of the vitality of creativity, “Conditions for creativity are to be puz…

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wellness paradox health stress

The Wellness Paradox: The Stress of Being Healthy

…Another study found that “the best-known environmental contributor to the development of eating disorders is the sociocultural idealization of thinness.” While this good-intentioned idea of Wellness claims to pave the way to a healthy life, the underlying motivation of achieving this lifestyle through weight loss can have costly effects on our mental state in pursuing an unattainable lifestyle. Additional research found that out of seven influenc…

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The Loss of Pleasure: Attachment Relationship and Loss: A Conversation with Carol Gilligan

…esistance. Learning Objectives: Summarize Dr. Carol Gilligan’s research on development with girls and women and studies with young boys and their fathers Apply Bowlby’s three stages of loss response: protest, despair and detachment Compare the differences between functional anger “the anger of hope” and dysfunctional anger “the anger of despair” Describe how femininity becomes associated with pseudo-relationships (and the silencing of self) and ma…

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The Key to a Long and Happy Life

…ent, has gone on for 80 years and has even expanded to include some of the children of the original 268 men. With the only living subjects of the study now in their 90s, what has been the biggest takeaway from the vast body of research that’s been collected? What Harvard scientists found and are now shouting from the rooftops through articles, interviews, and a very viral TED Talk is that perhaps the single most important factor to ensure a long a…

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Conquer Your Critical Inner Voice: An Adjunct to Clinical Practice

…with the “critical inner voice” is central to all areas of life: personal development, healthy relationships, self-esteem, and career success. This CE Webinar provides participants with an introduction to Voice Therapy, a technique that can enhance the therapist’s ability to achieve positive treatment outcomes for their clients. Participants will discover ways to help their clients identify destructive thoughts or “voices” that cause debilitating…

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The Self Under Siege: A New Model of Differentiation

…by interpersonal experiences that are either favorable or damaging to the development of his or her personality. In order for individuals to live their own lives and fulfill their destiny, they must differentiate themselves from destructive family and societal influences. To the extent that someone can develop and sustain significant aspects of their unique identity, they will be able to live truly individualistic and creative lives. In this Webi…

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Why Are You Avoiding Intimacy?

…and wants weren’t attuned to as kids, they felt shame for having them. As children they developed an avoidant attachment. They adapted by attempting to keep their needs below their level of awareness to avoid feeling shame. They are hesitant to rely on or open up to someone else. They may pull away from intimacy or even deny its importance. Their psychological defenses (once created to protect them as kids) now shield them from true closeness. Th…

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