Workshop Topics

“I’M MISERABLE BECAUSE OF YOU”: UNDOING THE BLAME GAME

Rebecca has presented this workshop many times each year since 2013 in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, Duluth, Fargo, St. Cloud and Mankato, Minnesota. The course is approved for continuing education for psychologists and counselors. However, the presentation is valuable for everyone who is stuck in blame. All seekers are welcome.This presentation provides inspiration, skills and techniques to instill profound change in clients by moving them out of resentment, blame and victim mentality to empowerment and personal responsibility. Too often, helpers unknowingly impair others by focusing on all the ways they have been hurt or betrayed by life circumstances. We need skills to show empathy without enabling people to stay stuck in self-pity. Authentic change requires acceptance that life is difficult and the ability to find the tenacity, hope and wisdom to move forward in spite of, or even because of, the things we have endured. Becoming aware of our own unconscious blame is necessary to help free others of the same.

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AFTER THE BREAKUP: WHO CAN I SAVE NEXT?

Whether a person chooses to leave a partner, or is the one left behind, a breakup transition can be extremely painful. The focus of this workshop is to help people recognize their obsession with trying to save partners they perceive as incompetent, wounded or abusive. Much energy and time are wasted in codependent behaviors and thought. Through discussion and activities, “rewards” of playing the rescuer role will be identified. Rather than obsessing about other people’s behavior and choices, participants will identify ways to change themselves and their situation. This workshop was presented at the 2009 MAMFT Fall Conference in Greater Minneapolis.

DISCOVERING PASSION: BEGIN LIVING YOUR UNLIVED LIFE

How do we manifest our dreams and desires? How are we liberated from our fears? This presentation explores ways to discover and express our unique gifts and interests. Participants will learn how their thoughts have become their beliefs and how these beliefs have become their reality. Too often, we unconsciously sabotage success and resist change at all costs. Activities and discussion will help individuals identify and challenge personal scripts that they have accepted about themselves. Envisioning and believing in our specific dreams and desires is a powerful process. Identifying steps to realize these dreams is a goal of this presentation.

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DSC_1667A RENEWAL RETREAT FOR WOMEN:
LOVING, LIVING & LETTING GO!

Channel your energy into loving your beautiful, imperfect self! Become bolder toward doing work that fills your soul, bringing more love into your life. Every woman longs for loving relationships, but too often, we are unaware of how we are sabotaging connection with those closest to us. Our own insecurities are our worst enemy and are demonstrated through controlling behaviors, expectations, irrational thinking, addictions, jealousy, fear of conflict, clinging or withdrawal. Come to this day retreat to feel restored and to explore your strengths and passion. Learn how to channel energy into the only thing that you can change: YOU. Identify your most fragile insecurities (land mines) and work to let go of worry and codependent expectations of others. Connecting with other women, laughing and letting go will be inspiring and invigorating. Through stories, creative activities, poetry, and song, you will learn to love yourself boldly. This change of perspective results in more rewarding work, invigorated health, and more loving relationships.  Note: The photos above are from the Women’s Retreat held near Minneapolis in March 2014.

UNSHACKLE YOUR THINKING

Recognize and release blocks to authentic living. These blocks include toxic thinking, perfectionism, self-neglect, approval addiction, irrational fears, negative scripts, rumination and fear of conflict. Learn to empower yourself by focusing on your own strengths instead of trying to rescue or change others. Become more conscious of irrational thinking how that can create a paranoid perspective. Explore the power of thought and learn to uncover lies you have come to believe about yourself. Discuss ways to set your creative soul free from destructive thought patterns so that you can begin to live more abundantly.

COMMUNICATION: BUILDING BETTER RELATIONSHIPS AT WORK & HOME

Our moods can be severely affected by something someone just said to us. Sometimes we hurt people we love by the things we say. Misunderstandings and resentments can build in the home and/or the workplace by a just a few words. This presentation not only identifies methods to improve communication, but more importantly, explores saner ways to receive the words or actions of others. Participants will become aware of how being able to disappoint others, withstand conflict, and endure disapproval are vital to mental health and authentic living. Learning to say and receive things in a less threatening way improves any environment and reduces suffering, stress and anger. Through this workshop, participants will be given tools to foster a more loving and respectful environment at work and/or at home.

BREAK OUT OF THE MOLD

This workshop creatively explores factors that affect the self-esteem of females in our society. The powerful influence of family, media, church and schools are identified and discussed. Overcoming societal, religious, and familial messages and expectations liberates both men and women. Becoming more real and spiritually aware of our imperfect uniqueness is truly an endeavor to celebrate.

There are many, many more topics available from Rebecca Aadland about bringing more meaning and love to our lives. She is happy to create keynote addresses, workshops and retreats centered around the specific needs of your event or organization. All of Rebecca’s workshops incorporate discussion, humor, poetry and song.