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Speak Up for Success

Speak confidently. Have difficult conversations. Get your needs met. 

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Assertiveness Skills group: Speak Up for Success

Make yourself a priority.

Master the art of saying no.

Learn to push your own voice.

Not group therapy, not a class. This 3 session skills group will teach you how to communicate more assertively and provide opportunities to practice both within and between sessions. Participants will explore barriers to assertive communication and uncover how underlying beliefs about expressing their needs can hold them back, often leading to negative emotions. The group is designed to help participants enhance their ability to communicate their needs and preferences to others. $150 for all 3 sessions (90 min each)

How Assertive are you?

Psychology Today has a pretty good online assessment. Find out how assertive you are. (20 questions, about 3 minutes).

What is Assertiveness?

Think of assertive behavior as existing on a continuum, with passive behavior on one end and aggressive behavior on the other. 

 

When we are passive, we don’t let our needs and preferences be known. As a result, we end up doing things we don’t really want to be doing. Being subordinate prevents your feelings from being considered and probably reinforces others to continue to not consider them. Orienting your life toward others and trying to live up to their expectations at the expense of your own invites being overlooked, stepped on, or taken advantage of.

 

On the other end of the continuum, getting your needs and preferences met without regard for others, in an aggressive way, in a way that makes demands of, attacks, or humiliates other people will likewise not lead to good outcomes. Engaging in passive-aggressive behavior—expressing aggressive impulses indirectly—is also unhealthy. This can include sulking, breaking commitments, or deliberately withholding help when it’s needed.

 

The ability to strike the right balance and express how you think and feel without being too forceful on the one hand, or too submissive on the other - this is the essence of Assertiveness. Assertive behavior is a skill that can be learned and maintained with practice.

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What are the benefits?

Overall, assertiveness training has been shown to promote psychological well-being and improve interpersonal effectiveness. Scientific research highlights several key mental health benefits:

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Reduces Stress and Anxiety Establishing healthy boundaries leads to less stress and anxiety by allowing you to clearly and directly communicate what you are and are not willing to do. In doing so, you teach others how to treat you, creating a greater sense of control and peace in your interactions.

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Boosts Confidence and Self-Esteem When you express yourself honestly and act in alignment with your true thoughts and feelings, your confidence naturally grows. Suppressing your reactions, on the other hand, often leads to frustration and diminished self-worth. Assertiveness training empowers individuals to communicate effectively, fostering a stronger sense of self-respect and personal value.

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Enhances Relationships Clear and genuine communication reduces misunderstandings and builds stronger connections. When you express your needs openly, others no longer have to guess your intentions or navigate hidden agendas. Withholding your true thoughts can lead to relational problems and feelings of resentment. Assertiveness fosters mutual respect and authenticity in relationships.

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Decreases Depression and Feelings of Helplessness Developing assertiveness equips you to address issues proactively, reducing the sense of powerlessness that often contributes to depression. With assertive communication, there’s less fear of confrontation, empowering you to handle challenges directly and effectively.

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Reserve your spot today

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TIPS to benefit from the group

You will gain the most from the group by coming prepared with a specific, real-life example of a situation where you are struggling to get your needs met or communicate as you’d like. The group is designed to be interactive, so being ready to engage in role plays, discuss your situation, and practice between sessions will help you make the most of the experience.

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