By truly understanding the emotions triggered by a break up or rejection, people can free themselves of much of their suffering and move on even stronger.

For someone experiencing a break up or rejection, the advice to “just get over it” can feel impossible. Although losing a relationship is hard for anyone, there are deeper, more complex reasons certain people become stuck in their pain and suffer more than others. A rejection can trigger a painful reminder of past hurts and a violent assault on one’s sense of self, neither of which have much to do with the partner a person has lost. In addition, breaking up with someone breaks a fantasy of connection that couples form in order to feel safe and secure. A fracture to this security can trigger hostile self-attacks and spark anxiety based on our personal attachment history. By exploring each of these concepts and forming a more coherent understanding one’s emotions around a break up, a person can actually use the experience of a break up or rejection as an opportunity for personal growth. Through self-exploration paired with self-compassion, a person can feel stronger in themselves and go on to enjoy healthier, more satisfying relationships.

In this 90-minute Webinar, Dr. Lisa Firestone will introduce individuals and therapists to psychological tools that can help a person on their path to heal from a break up or rejection:

These include:

• Exploring how the past has shaped one’s relationship patterns, choices, and reactions
• Recognizing critical self-attacks that are triggered by a separation
• Understanding one’s emotions: how to express feelings in healthy ways and avoid rumination
• Challenging a fantasy connection that elevates painful emotions around loss
• Understanding how early attachment patterns influence one’s current reactions
• Creating a coherent narrative of the experience
• Adopting a growth mindset that allows a person to move on rather than a fixed mindset that keeps a person stuck in their pain
• Practicing self-compassion and mindfulness techniques
• Reframing thinking to differentiate what a person really wants from what they think they deserve

Learning Objectives:

• Become familiar with the concept of the fantasy bond, an imaginary connection formed with their partner that relieves anxiety yet interferes with real relationships.
• Learn to identify the negative thoughts individuals have toward themselves in order to provide targeted interventions
• Apply techniques to identify and challenge destructive thinking in clients.
• Identify three principles of self-compassion
• Explain the process of creating a coherent narrative around a trauma
• Describe the four categories of adult attachment patterns

CEs Pending: 1.5 LIVE OR 1.5 Home Study CE for $10. (Note: You must be signed in for the entire duration of the Webinar to quality for LIVE CE). CE's are optional; sold separately through R. Cassidy Seminars after the live event. Link will be provided after the live event.