…nd Love in Intimate Relationships (APA Books, 2006), Conquer Your Critical Inner Voice (New Harbinger, 2002), and Creating a Life of Meaning and Compassion: The Wisdom of Psychotherapy (APA Books, 2003). See all of Dr. Firestone’s Webinars Continuing Education Information * Continuing Education (CE) credits are being offered to mental health professionals through PsychoEducational Resources, Inc. (PER). The Webinar is targeted to entry level, in…
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…? When people are alone, they are more likely to listen to their “critical inner voice” or “anti-self” and fall into a suicidal trance. 6) Perceived burdensomeness – When people start to think that others (their closest family and friends) are better off without them, they are at higher risk for suicide. If they feel like they are a burden to others, they may listen to this thought, rather than realize how much pain their loss would cause loved on…
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…gaging in what’s being said? As we start to explore this issue, we are likely to gain a lot of insight into what distracts us from listening to those around us. As we learn to quiet that inner voice in our minds, we can start to open ourselves up to others, becoming better listeners, thinkers, lovers and friends. Click here to begin…
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…ion, we have likely formed destructive adaptations, defenses and “critical inner voices” that were necessary when we were young but now keep us from developing and maintaining closeness and true intimacy with our romantic partners. We can change this by looking for new role models in couples or individuals who we admire. We can adopt as our own the styles of relating we observe that resonate with how we want to be in our relationships. We can set…
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…Big Sur, CA, I co-taught a two-day workshop called “Conquer Your Critical Inner Voice.” As part of the weekend, I showed the participants a video clip of an interview I did with my father Dr. Robert Firestone. The participants found it inspirational, so I thought I would share some of the contents of the interview in this blog. In the film, I asked my father, who’s spent the past 40 years working as a psychologist, theorist, and author, how he wo…
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…is, we must interrupt a destructive thought process known as the “critical inner voice.” This negative internal dialogue will feed us a steady stream of thoughts that keep us miserable. It will bark at us, “You were wronged. You’ll never be back to your old self. You’re damaged. You can never be free of the pain. They’ve ruined you. You’re not strong enough. This can’t be fixed. Hold on to the anger. Never let go.” When we inundate ourselves with…
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…the “fantasy bond,” a once-useful but now destructive form of self-parenting, jeopardizes meaningful attachments. Written in clear, jargon-free language, Fear of Intimacy shows how therapists can help couples identify and overcome the messages of the “critical inner voice” that foster distortions of the self and loved ones. Related issues such as interpersonal ethics and the role of stereotyping are also discussed. The authors’ innovative approach…
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…rning signs of suicide as well as the helper tasks that can save a life. In addition, Dr. Firestone will shed light on what goes on in the mind of someone who is experiencing self-destructive thoughts and will explain steps people can take to stand up to this “critical inner voice” that drives the suicidal state. While it can feel scary to talk about suicide, we must not hesitate to be the one to reach out when someone is in crisis. The suicidal s…
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…he books: Sex and Love in Intimate Relationships and Conquer Your Critical Inner Voice. Visit her site at www.drlisafirestone.com. Articles on the Self As Iraq Ends, A New Battle with PTSD Begins With 40,000 men and women returning home from Iraq in the next few months, we must greet them with the tools to combat the emotional wounds of battle. Developing resilience can truly break the internal cycle that leaves so many individuals chronically stu…
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…he books: Sex and Love in Intimate Relationships and Conquer Your Critical Inner Voice. Visit Dr. Firestone’s PsychAlive profile page for her latest articles. Visit her website at www.drlisafirestone.com. How Childhood Defenses Hurt Us as Adults When we internalize destructive attitudes during hurtful or traumatic experiences in our past, we strengthen our “anti-self.” As we grow up, our anti-self resides within us and encourages us to take action…
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