The Neuroscience of Divorce (And Life in General)

Divorce is one of the most stressful experiences a person can have.  Indeed, according to the Holmes & Rahe Life Stress Inventory, which predicts risk of illness following stressful life events, divorce is second only to death of a spouse; marital separation from a partner is third. And given that divorce involves multiple life stressors at once, such as moving, and major changes in financial status, our clients often experience significant stressors and internal distress as they go through the collaborative divorce process. 

Likewise, this moment in history is undoubtedly highly stressful for many of us (and also our clients, further exacerbating the impact of divorce alone).  Economic uncertainty, physical insecurity, higher costs of living on the horizon, threats of deportation, threats to free speech and democracy, government shutdown, and more weigh heavily on many of us.  How do we understand their impacts and how do we counter their effects (without denial) so we can be as fully present and helpful to our clients as possible--and not fall apart ourselves?

Dr. Rick Hanson, psychologist, Buddhist, and founder of the Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom, points the way in Hardwiring Happiness, a near-pitch perfect medley that's at once analytic, folksy, commonsensical, and immediately applicable.  We'll discuss his approach, including the negativity bias of our brains that developed for survival, the three operating systems of our brains (Avoiding, Approaching, and Attaching) that are especially activated in divorcing people, the differences we experience when our brains are in reactive versus responsive modes, and a simple approach we can all use immediately to "change our minds, change our brains, change our minds" to cope with high stress and stay clear, present, and centered.

Please join us!

RSVP HERE

Dr. Judie Stein is a licensed clinical social worker and a seasoned Ackerman-trained mediator, EFT couple and family therapist, discernment therapist, and family specialist with The New York Association for Collaborative Practice.  A former Adjunct Professor in Child Development and Parenting, Judie ensures that the children’s developmental and special needs are considered and helps separating parents learn to co-parent effectively to minimize the emotional impact on the family. 

She is also an individual, couple, and family therapist, specializing in eating disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and relationships, among others.  She integrates CBT, DBT, Wellness, Contemplative Psychotherapy, Nonviolent Communication, and Mindful Self-Compassion into a holistic approach to help patients identify connections between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, as well as examine broader underlying issues related to identity, values, and purpose. 

Judie received her doctorate in Behavioral Sciences and Health Education from UCLA and her Master’s in Social Work from NYU.  She was the Vice President of FDMC for five years. 

The NYC Pod hosts a virtual meeting the second Tuesday of every month, from 8:30-9:30am, to provide a gathering place to share information, ask questions, and offer support for our NYACP community of friends and colleagues.  Pod meetings are for NYACP members only.   While the Pods may be regionally based, all NYACP members are encouraged to attend any Pod meeting of interest.

Once you complete your registration, you will receive the log-in information, link and phone numbers in your confirmation email. Just click on the link or dial in at the time of the meetings.  

For problems during the webinar, please text Judie Stein at (917) 691-9947.

All NYACP members are welcome.