Women are particularly vulnerable to the Inner Critic being integrated into our sense of self. Historically we have played many roles. The modern woman answers to many internal masters. If you are out in the world pursuing a career, there may be a part of you that feels badly that you are not home with your children. If you are at home, there are parts that think you should be accomplishing something else. The voices of envy and competition are turned inwards against ourselves.
In my Inner Critic work you will learn to:
Have the grounding and strength to separate from your Critic's message so you have room to breath and find your center again.
Feel safe enough to access your curiosity about it. Inner Critic parts are actually trying to help and protect you (even though they actually cause trouble). You can learn about their positive motivations.
Learn about the seven types of Inner Critic parts and which ones are problematic for you.
Develop compassion for your Inner Critic and the Criticized Child part it hurts.
Learn to appreciate what your Critic is trying to do for you. This allows you to develop a cooperative relationship with it.
Use IFS to work with your Critic and Criticized Child. This allows you to heal these parts so they can support your self-esteem and confidence.
Develop an aspect of your Self that I call the Inner Champion to support your in work with the Inner Critic. Like a good Mom, the Inner Champion supports your self-acceptance and appreciation for yourself and encourages you to take risks.
For more on the Inner Critic and our understanding of it, click here.
Workshops
Inner Critic workshops provide a day long format for women to come together and explore this particular aspect of their psyche in a safe, supportive environment. We use structured exercises that engage both our thinking and creative brains. There is intimate sharing in pairs and group discussions that can normalize and clarify our personal experiences.
Phone Classes
Inner Critic phone classes take place through a teleconference line which allows a number of people to talk together in a group. Each week there will be discussion of some aspect of the Inner Critic, an exercise using both our creativity and intellect, and a personal opportunity to work in pairs. The group will then join together again for feedback and processing.
Like the in-person workshops, phone classes gives women an opportunity to explore this aspect of themselves in a safe and supportive environment.
See the schedule for specific dates for classes and workshops.
Here is what people are saying:
Bonnie Weiss' workshop for women on dealing with our inner critic came at just the right time. My mother had passed away and a new level of an old self critical pattern had come to the surface. Bonnie's wisdom, warmth, caring and connection to the material was very helpful in my getting unstuck and moving through another layer of grief. I highly recommend this workshop and Bonnie! Her deep compassion, grounded in practical tools is very supportive, engaging, safe and loving. Rachel Eryn Kalish Principal Workplace Connections, Facilitator/Trainer/Conflict Resolution Expert/ Project Reconnections
I am not a group person, women or otherwise. Despite my reticence, I participated in the exercises, and found everyone's personal generosity inspiring and helpful. Using the models you set up for us, I felt able to connect with my inner parts, have compassion for them, and give them their own secure place, separate from my sovereign self, a self I am always cultivating. This is not a quick process, but I feel more confident, connected, and centered when I do this work.
I learned that while my inner critic (voice) can give me harsh messages to shy away form situations, she really meant to protect me from my personal pain, fear, and grief, and I embrace her. And there is the centered ME, separate from that harsh, inner voice, that can experience the painful feelings of my parts, and care for those parts, and survive. Elise
Bonnie's Inner Critic Workshop was immensely helpful. She provided a comfortable, caring and safe environment to explore the role of our "Inner Critic" and to connect with other women. Bonnie was sensitive to individuals in the group and was flexible to meet their needs. Besides the valuable work with the Internal Family Systems model and the Inner Critic, Bonnie introduced the concept of the "Inner Mentor, a third and much needed step for taming the very tenacious and ugly voice of the "Inner Critic". I find the words "we" came up with for my "Inner Mentor" to be comforting and useful. I think they will help me stand up to and have compassion for my "Inner Critic." There is hope for me yet. J.L.
It most definitely is a service-- I can't think of a single woman I know who is not somehow hobbled by their own chorus of critics Leslie
That was a terrific workshop and I found it extremely valuable. And what a really fine group of women. Thank you! Lindsey
The workshop was so well organized...it seemed to flow. And by the end of the day I had gotten so much more in touch
