Search Results for: lisa firestone/feed/2009/11/fear-of-intimacy

What Does the Popularity of 50 Shades of Grey Say About Our Sexuality?

…y challenge the fundamental and flawed ways we view ourselves. Maintaining intimacy can also raise the stakes in our relationship, causing us to fully feel the preciousness of our partners, ourselves, and of life in general. This poignant emotional reaction can ignite fear in us on an existential level. With more to lose, we are more likely to put our guard up or pull away from being close. This also explains why it may be easier for us to tolerat…

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Rihanna and Chris Brown: The Abusive Cycle

…ed of the two becoming closer, she continues to deny the gravity of abuse. Fear and Manipulation: In many cases, the abusive partner uses fear and manipulation to keep the abused one from leaving. The victim becomes is stuck in the relationship, because they know that if they leave, there will be major consequences. The perpetrator uses threats of physical punishment, committing suicide, taking away the victim’s money or children, even killing the…

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Be Your Own Couples Therapist

…t lead us to hurt ourselves and those close to us in the present. It is an ongoing journey of self-reflection that helps us to reveal who we truly are and to know and love someone for who they are as well. Join Dr. Lisa Firestone for the CE Webinar “Working with High-Conflict Couples” on January 24. Learn more or register here. Read more about differentiation in Dr. Lisa Firestone’s latest book, The Self Under Siege…

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Why We Lost a Lovable Genius: The Hidden Enemy in Suicide

…nner voice may be telling you, it is not you. YOU matter. You’re important. Get help today. Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Dr. Lisa Firestone will be hosting the free one-hour online presentation “Learn the CPR of Suicide Prevention” on Sep. 11 –Learn More or Register Now…

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PTSD, Iraq Veterans, Veterans mental health

As Iraq Ends, a New Battle with PTSD Begins

…ths will be greeted with these tools to combat the emotional wounds of battle.   Learn more about treating PTSD in an our CE webinar with Dr. Donald Meichenbaum and Dr. Lisa Firestone, Treatment of Individuals with PTSD, Complex PTSD and Comorbid Disorders: A Life-Span Approach.  …

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The Fantasy Bond: A substitute for a truly loving relationship

…e the psychological pain and sadness involved in attempting to reestablish intimacy (4) expose their fears of individuation and separation, including the fear of loss or death of their partner as well as their own death (5) move toward independence and respect for each other and establish true equality. Disrupt reciprocal patterns of dominance, submission, and defiance (6) develop a non-defensive posture toward feedback and an open and honest styl…

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Is There a Place for Constructive Anger in Your Relationship?

…look and sound like? 4. Try to come up with a framework for giving direct feedback to your partner. The following internationally recognized Couples Therapists offer you a sense of what’s involved: Terry Real, 4-part feedback involves: 1. What you saw/heard? 2. What you made up about it? 3. How you feel about it? 4. What you would like to have happen in the future? (The New Rules of Marriage) Tara Brach maps out another process: 1. Express someth…

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How Do I Know if I Have a Fantasy Bond?

…l distance,” wrote psychologist and author of The Fantasy Bond, Dr. Robert Firestone on his PsychAlive blog. What is a Fantasy Bond? The fantasy bond exists when the reality of a deep, loving feeling is replaced by a more robotic form of going through the motions of an intimate relationship. Many factors including childhood experiences, the repeating of past patterns and a fear of being alone can drive people to a fantasy bond. As children, one of…

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Preventing Interpersonal Violence in Relationships

…of these experiences: Physical abuse – the use of force to cause injury or fear – slapping, hitting, slamming doors, throwing things, or using a weapon; violent acts. Emotional abuse, sometimes called verbal abuse – name-calling and put-downs are some of the most common forms. This includes stalking and attempts to isolate, monitor, intimidate, or humiliate. Perpetrators may threaten to hurt themselves or their partner if there’s a breakup. Sexual…

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Factors that Increase or Suppress Death Anxiety

…ttitudes, and belief systems that deny death and attempt to suppress death fears. Nevertheless, there are certain incidents and circumstances throughout the lifespan that tend to arouse death anxiety. Some people totally deny any fear of death, while others, who are better able to contemplate it with equanimity, use the awareness of death to give greater meaning to their lives. However, the majority utilizes a variety of psychological defense mech…

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