Wellbeing Wisdom

Wellbeing Wisdom is offering a free live discussion series for mental health professionals called Wise Talks. Our next speaker, on Thursday 10th September, 6-8pm, will be Brittany Wadforth, presenting on: Relational Adaptive Information: A Theraplay-Informed Framework for Adult Attachment Injury in EMDR Therapy

This is an online event. The Wise Talks series encourages participation and discussion, and events are not usually recorded. In the discussion series, I organise a speaker to lead a discussion about topics that are relevant to the treatment of trauma, and are often controversial in some way. Participants are invited to contribute to the conversation in a friendly and collaborative environment. This approach is founded in a belief that where there is controversy, there is something to learn, and a trust that as professionals, we can disagree cordially and come through it wiser than when we were certain.

About Brittany

Brittany is a Psychologist with over 10 years of experience across community, public, and private settings. She works with children and adults using evidence-based interventions, with a particular interest in trauma, complex trauma, dissociation, and attachment. Her approach integrates EMDR with neurobiological, trauma-informed, and relational frameworks.

About the Talk

Theraplay® is an evidence based attachment intervention originally developed for children and caregivers to support safe, connected and emotionally attuned relationships. This presentation explores how the core Theraplay dimensions of Structure, Engagement, Nurture and Challenge can offer a helpful framework for EMDR therapists working with adults impacted by attachment trauma, relational difficulties and developmental injury.

MORE INFO AND SIGN UPS HERE: https://catherinehynes.net/training/

Perhaps it’s not obvious, but understanding our own temperament and sensitivities is a key part of having healthy relationships.

Why?
Because good relationships are about a good fit between ourselves and the other person. We need to know what we like, how we like to spend our time, and where we sit in terms of sensitivity, privacy, etc… so we can regulate ourselves well in relationships and choose people who resonate and fit well with us. Some temperaments are well suited to a broad range of other people, and some temperaments are more sensitive and require a specific fit. Rather than shoving yourself into spaces that don’t fit you, it’s easier to figure out who you are and where you fit, and work with that to find good fits for yourself.

Lionetti and colleagues have studied sensitivity, and divided the population into 3 groups, using a flower metaphor:
-Tulips, who have moderate sensitivity, and are somewhat responsive to the environment,
-Dandelions, who have low sensitivity, and thus thrive in a wide variety of environments,
-Orchids, who are highly sensitive to the environment

What kind of flower are you? You can do their measure here to find out: https://hsperson.com/test/highly-sensitive-test/

Reference:
Lionetti F, Aron A, Aron EN, Leonard Burns G, Jagiellowicz J & Pluess M (2018) Dandelions, tulips and orchids: evidence for the existence of low-sensitive, medium-sensitive and high-sensitive individuals. Translational Psychiatry (2018) 8:24

If you’re interested in the social implications of this, I have a blog on this topic: https://catherinehynes.net/healthy-relationships-and-complex-trauma-why-healthy-relationships-are-a-privilege/

I also have a course designed for clients that provides therapists with the psychoeducation that complex trauma survivors are missing about healthy relationships: https://wellbeingwisdom.thinkific.com/courses/healthy-relationships