Group Type: Support Group
Goals of the Group:
🔹 Build awareness of how RSD manifests in thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. 🔹 Develop tools to regulate emotions and reduce distress caused by rejection sensitivity. 🔹 Learn healthier ways to respond to criticism, perceived failure, and social interactions. 🔹 Foster self-compassion and a sense of agency in relationships and personal growth.
Who Is The Group For?
This group is for individuals who: 🔹 Experience intense emotional reactions to perceived or real rejection, criticism, or failure. 🔹 Struggle with emotional overwhelm and self-criticism. 🔹 Want to build self-compassion and healthier boundaries. 🔹 Seek a safe, validating space to connect with others who understand RSD.
Discussion Topics:
🔹 Understanding RSD and its emotional intensity. 🔹 Managing the inner critic and shame spiral. 🔹 Emotional regulation and distress tolerance. 🔹 Navigating relationships and setting boundaries.
What Will We Talk About?
🔹 Personal experiences of rejection sensitivity and its impact. 🔹 Tools for emotional regulation and self-compassion. 🔹 Differentiating real vs. perceived rejection. 🔹 Assertive communication and boundary-setting strategies.
Glimpse of the Session:
Session 1: Understanding RSD & Its Emotional Intensity 🔹 Psychoeducation on RSD, its connection to ADHD, trauma, and emotional dysregulation. 🔹 Exploring personal experiences of rejection sensitivity. 🔹 Identifying personal triggers and emotional patterns. 🔸 Takeaway: Self-awareness worksheet.
Session 2: Managing the Inner Critic & Shame Spiral 🔹 Exploring the inner critic and its role in fueling RSD. 🔹 Introduction to self-compassion and emotional self-soothing strategies. 🔹 Group sharing of coping tools and challenges. 🔸 Takeaway: Self-compassion scripts and critic-naming exercise.
Session 3: Building Emotional Regulation & Distress Tolerance 🔹 Introduction to grounding, mindfulness, and distress tolerance skills. 🔹 Creating personalized emotional first-aid toolkits. 🔸 Takeaway: Emotional regulation checklist.
Session 4: Navigating Relationships & Setting Boundaries 🔹 Differentiating real vs. perceived rejection. 🔹 Practicing assertive communication and healthy boundaries. 🔹 Reflection on progress, closure, and forward planning. 🔸 Takeaway: Personalized boundary scripts and group reflections.
Please note: The session topics, order, and other details may be subject to change based on the needs and preferences of the group members and facilitators.
Facilitator Bio:
Years of Experience: 14 years
Groups Facilitated at SoulUp: 5
Relevant Expertise: Adult ADHD, RSD, Psychological Assessments, Behavioural and Emotional Disorders, Communication and Relationship Concerns, Emotional Intelligence
Dr. Rachel Jayaseelan is a Clinical Psychologist with fourteen years of experience supporting individuals navigating emotional and behavioural concerns. Based in Bangalore, she spent seven years at Christ University teaching psychological assessment and supervising clinical work across multiple psychology programs. Trained in Cognitive Analytic Therapy, NLP, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Career Counselling and Clinical Hypnosis, she integrates multiple modalities with a strong foundation in assessment-led treatment planning. She is also a certified Sleep Consultant and Emotional Intelligence Specialist, and her work has been featured in the Times of India and Deccan Herald.
Leading this RSD-focused group, she supports individuals who experience intense emotional pain in response to rejection or criticism. She combines psychoeducation with communication and emotional regulation skills to help participants understand their sensitivity with compassion instead of self-blame. With experience conducting more than 200 workshops on communication, stress and mental health for over 50 organizations including IBM, LinkedIn, Royal Enfield and Harvard Publishing, she brings practical tools to help people build confidence, connection and healthier relational patterns. She has facilitated several RSD spaces previously and continues to refine her work with neurodivergent adults.
