325. Unseen, Unheard, Undervalued with Janina Scarlet

Unseen, unheard, undervalued - have you ever felt like that? As our guest this week, Dr. Janina Scarlet, a licensed clinical psychologist, points out, these feelings, while understandable, can be overcome. In Janina's mission to de-stigmatize loneliness and help people connect and support one another, she authored the book 'Unseen, Unheard, Undervalued: Managing Loneliness, Loss of Connection and Not Fitting in’ which serves as the backdrop for the conversation in this episode. You'll hear how to combat loneliness by understanding its dimensions, talking more about our experiences with loneliness, and seeking emotional support and self-compassion. Janina also offers many helpful tips, from finding and cultivating a ‘chosen family’ who truly sees, hears, and values you to transforming how you feel and react to shame. Don't miss this enriching conversation with Dr. Janina Scarlett!

Listen and Learn: 

What inspired Janina to write a book that de-stigmatizes the experience of loneliness

Why psychical loneliness and the feeling of loneliness are not the same thing 

The components of loneliness - to be unseen, unheard, and unvalued 

How to change the way you respond to shame 

How loneliness can be addressed differently

The significance of forming relationships with people who see, hear, and value you 

How to speak about and address your own feelings of loneliness using Janina’s ‘journaling in two parts’ exercise

Using ‘savoring’ as a practice to experience being fully present   

Finding your ‘chosen family’ 

Resources: 

Find out more about Dr. Janina Scarlet at her website

Order your copy of Unseen, Unheard, Undervalued: Managing Loneliness, Loss of Connection and Not Fitting in

Follow Janina on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok

About Janina Scarlet 

Dr. Janina Scarlet is a licensed clinical psychologist, an award-winning author, and a full-time geek. A Ukrainian-born refugee, she survived Chernobyl radiation and persecution. She immigrated to the United States at the age of 12 with her family and later, inspired by the X-Men, developed Superhero Therapy to help patients with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Dr. Scarlet is the recipient of the Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award by the United Nations Association for her work on Superhero Therapy. Her work has been featured on Yahoo!, the BBC, NPR, Sunday Times, CNN, CW, ABC, The New York Times, Forbes and many other outlets. She regularly consults on books and television shows, including HBO’s The Young Justice. She was also portrayed as a comic book character in Gail Simone’s Seven Days graphic novel. Dr. Scarlet is the Lead Trauma Specialist at the Trauma and PTSD Healing Center and the Lead Creativity Coach at Creative Community in San Diego, California.

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