…lationship is often the result of our having created a fantasy bond,” said Firestone. A couple forms a fantasy bond, usually unconsciously, as a way to feel that they’re not alone, while remaining emotionally distanced from each other. The relationship is often marked by less physical affection, less real, personal relating, fewer acts of kindness, more deadening routines and increased defensiveness. The patterns a couple falls into can ultimately…
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…y sound simple, but this is actually something psychologists like Dr. Lisa Firestone advise people to try when they’re experiencing symptoms of depression. The very act of smiling or laughing can improve our mood. One study even showed that forcing a smile can genuinely reduce stress and increase positive feelings. “Play your favorite sitcom, watch a funny movie or read a comical writer,” said Dr. Firestone. “Don’t think of this exercise as merely…
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…Minutes Earn 3 CE’s by watching the Webinar and reading an article by Dr. Firestone. Differentiation refers to the struggle that all people face in striving to develop a sense of themselves as autonomous individuals. When working with clients to fully develop themselves, a fundamental question to have them consider is: are they living based on pursuing the things that really light them up, that matter to them, and that give meaning to their lives…
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…nner voices in families, father and daughter psychologists Robert and Lisa Firestone, were taken aback by how similar the negative thoughts expressed by parents were to those of their adolescent and adult children. Without hearing each other name their critical inner voices, parents and children would often say almost the exact same things about themselves, sometimes practically word for word. Wherever our self-critical attitudes come from, we can…
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by Robert W. Firestone, Ph.D. Lisa A. Firestone, Ph.D. Joyce Catlett, M.A. Sex and Love in Intimate Relationships proposes that sexual problems are largely related to defenses acquired through painful childhood experiences, and that individuals can be helped to overcome these challenges and become physically and emotionally closer to their partners. Sexuality can be one of the most fulfilling pleasures in life. Yet it is an aspect of relationship…
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…make things up to take away their fear. Kids know when we are being real. Firestone says “The most important thing is to let kids have their feelings. We can help them regulate their emotions with our care and concern.” Having this kind of emotional support helps kids become resilient, in spite of life’s unanswerable questions. But children aren’t the only ones who fear the vast, menacing concept of death. Plenty of adults grapple with it, too, a…
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Robert W. Firestone, Ph.D., Lisa Firestone, Ph.D. and Joyce Catlett, M.A. – Sexuality can be one of the most fulfilling pleasures in life. Yet it is an aspect of relationships that is complex and sometimes fraught with difficulty. Given the mixed messages about sexuality that exist in our culture, it is hardly surprising that people encounter difficulties in achieving intimacy. Indeed, they have considerable difficulty in communicating and workin…
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…vidual needs and priorities? In this book, clinical psychologist Robert W. Firestone sets forth his theory of the “critical inner voice,” a self-critical point of view that people have internalized based on hurtful life experiences. During a person’s most vulnerable state of childhood, the pressures of society and destructive interactions within the family can lead them to develop defenses, self-protective thought processes and behaviors that prev…
Learn More…they can talk to us when something is going wrong? This webinar with Lisa Firestone, Ph.D. emphasizes the importance of considering the emotional health of our children, teaching parents techniques for understanding and responding to the emotions of our children, while gaining a better understanding of ourselves and our reactions to our children. View slides from How to Raise an Emotionally Healthy Child To request a full video recording of this…
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…igns we are engaging in a fantasy bond and actively seek to interrupt these patterns. Click here to read Dr. Epstein’s article “Can You Learn to Love Anyone?” Watch psychologist Dr. Lisa Firestone discuss “The Qualities of an Ideal Relationship”: Watch psychologist Dr. Lisa Firestone discuss “Why We Keep Making the Same Bad Choices”:…
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