Lauren talks about the power of mirroring in relationships, and how it positively impacts her work as an interviewer and a therapist--mirroring is reflecting back what the other person has shared in order to improve communication. Lauren beautifully describes how she intentionally feel into emotions before and during sessions/interviews as a way to be an even more effective practitioner practitioner/interviewer. We also talk about friendships, and Lauren talks about specific exercises and tools that can be sued with a partner or friend to get closer and learn more about each other.

QUOTES--

• This emotion is perfect for this moment
• My goal is to feel everything that arises in me
• Feeling are superpowers
• Another name for HSP--A person who gets the texture of life

BIO--

Lauren is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist in San Francisco, California. She works with couples, individuals and people living with chronic illness. Lauren was diagnosed with Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis in 2015, and has found that although living with an autoimmune disease is not an easy path, it's brought more joy and fulfillment into her life than before. This January (2018) she launched the podcast "This is Not What I Ordered;" a weekly interview show about full-hearted living with chronic illness and health challenges. She believes that the biggest difficulties in our lives are often invitations into a deeper, richer, more conscious relationship with ourselves.

HIGHLIGHTS--

Imago Couple's Dialogue

• Sender (no blaming, shaming or criticizing)
• Receiver mirrors word for word (provides summary and validating
  • Validation--why it makes sense based on who the sender is (not based on the receiver)

Two styles of conflict

• Minimizer
• Maximizer
• Both partners are needed to maintain the ecosystem (the balance in the relationship)

Reflections to do weekly with your partner

1. Something you did to support our relationship this week
   1. What was it like when you did that?
2. Something I did this week to support the relationship
   1. How was it helpful to me
3. If I could have a do-over this week, this is what I would do differently

LINKS

www.thisisnotwhatiordered.com

www.laurenselfridgetherapy.com

www.laurenselfridgephotography.com

Twitter: @NWIOpodcast and @HelloSelfridge

Instagram: @NWIOpodcast @LaurenSelfridgeOfficial

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thisisnotwhatiordered

Show hashtag: #NWIOpodcast

Website-- www.patriciayounglcsw.com

Podcast-- www.unapologeticallysensitive.com

Facebook-- www.facebook.com/groups/2099705880047619/

Youtube-- www.youtube.com/channel/UCOE6foodj7RBdO3Iw0NrAllg/videos?view_as=subscriber

Show hashtag-- #unapologeticallysensitive

MUSIC--Gravel Dance by Andy Robinson www.andyrobinson.com

e-mail-- unapologeticallysensitive!gmail.com