All In The Mind Difficult people and radical acceptance: answering your questions about tricky relationships
19 snips
Dec 13, 2025 Rachel Sampson, a clinical psychologist and co-author of 'Beyond Difficult', dives into the complexities of challenging relationships. She explores why we often mislabel difficult behavior as narcissism and discusses the importance of boundaries while maintaining self-advocacy. Rachel highlights the impact of intergenerational trauma on emotional regulation and reveals how secure relationships can foster brain plasticity. With practical advice for dealing with difficult family members and workplace boundaries, she equips listeners with strategies for navigating tricky dynamics.
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Values Guide When To Be Assertive
- Reflect on your values to decide when to advocate and when to compromise.
- Acting in line with values supports wellbeing, while value-misaligned behaviour harms it.
Gender Shapes Perceptions Of Assertiveness
- Socialisation shapes how women are judged when they assert themselves.
- Saying no can be labelled 'difficult' in women due to gender stereotypes.
Trauma Travels Across Generations
- Trauma effects can transmit across generations via behaviour and biology.
- Attachment patterns, stress-response changes and parenting models all contribute to intergenerational trauma.
