In this episode of KCRW's "Life Examined," Elizabeth Loftus, researcher and Professor of Psychology and Law at the University of California (Irvine), summarizes the evidence against the certitude of memory.
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II. Blog Articles and Podcast Recordings |
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IV. Virtual Seminars on Saturday, May 15, 2021* |
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The Men's Group Seminar: Self-Compassion
Often misunderstood, even trivialized, self-compassion is a psychological capacity that in recent years has emerged as a kind of emotional superfood. The degree to which we relate to ourselves benignly and compassionately is linked by researchers to happiness, optimism, life satisfaction, long-term resilience, and even increased immune functioning. Generally conceived by experts as a form of coping, self-compassion is frequently explained as the Golden Rule reversed, i.e., “do unto yourself as you would do unto others.” Self-compassion guards against self-loathing and demoralization by promoting self-acceptance, especially when one's limitations are exposed by life’s challenges. In her book Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself, Dr. Kristin Neff identifies three components of self-compassion: self-kindness vs. self-judgment; common humanity vs. isolation; and mindfulness vs. over-identification. These emphasize the universality of the human condition, the value of humility, and the importance of acknowledging one’s own suffering. In an interview with The Atlantic, Neff describes how self-compassion may serve as an antidote to the normal and expectable assaults to one’s self-esteem that occur all the time and the narcissistic strivings that may emerge when we compare ourselves to others, a tendency exacerbated by the seductive draw of social media. Self-compassion is especially vital for men who are often socialized to problem-solve; as one writer points out, compassion means “to suffer” and the man who is invested in increasing his capacity for self-compassion may take some time getting used to directing his efforts toward goals other than merely fixing or resolving a situation. In the next virtual meeting of the Men's Group Seminar on Saturday, May 15, 2021 (10:15 to 11:30 AM), we will explore self-compassion and consider the numerous factors which hinder it.
To register for this upcoming virtual seminar, please see the directions below.
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The Relationship Group Seminar: Resentment
Among the many challenges couples face in long-term relationships, resentment is perhaps the thorniest and most difficult to resolve. Considerable scientific evidence indicates that most couples fail to resolve conflict. This fact alone suggests that unresolved pain and anger are to be expected in relationships. The holding on of anger, and the common attempt to suppress it/keep it inside, make it highly combustible, reading to ignite at any time. Experts argue that resentment in relationships emerges from the "repetition of painful patterns relating to unaddressed difficulties"; what remains unresolved inevitably arises again, causing a "reiteration of anger" which is the essence of resentment. Certain relational tendencies and dynamics appear to cause resentment, including one or both partners having "to be right" and the feeling of being put down or not heard. As resentment builds, a fundamental breakdown in the capacity of partners to empathize with each other frequently occurs. Research suggests that certain individuals may be more prone to resentment in their relationships; tendencies such as having trouble forgiving and frequently being on the defensive are potentially troublesome characteristics. In the next virtual meeting of the Relationship Group Seminar on Saturday, May 15, 2021 (11:45 AM to 1:00 PM), we will discuss the origins of resentment in relationships and consider approaches to preventing, and resolving, resentment.
To register for this upcoming virtual seminar, please see the directions below.
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The Dynamic Psychotherapy Process Group
This therapy group utilizes the emerging dynamics among group members, and between the group members and facilitator, as a basis from which to examine one's characteristic ways of thinking, feeling, and relating to others. Our next virtual group session will be held on Saturday, May 15, 2021 (1:15 to 2:30 PM). The Dynamic Psychotherapy Process Group is a therapeutic experience and entry occurs only after a pre-group screening interview.
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* Registration Directions: If you would like to attend the virtual meeting of the Men's Group Seminar and/or the Relationship Group Seminar on May 15, 2021, please RSVP to me at 949-338-4388 or jt@jamestobinphd.com on or before Thursday, May 13, 2021. The fee is $25.00 (payable before entering the virtual meeting) and informed consent for participation in this telehealth event must be completed prior to the seminars. Please note that the Men's Group Seminar and the Relationship Group Seminar are psychoeducational in nature, not therapeutic, and do not constitute psychotherapy or counseling.
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