Well-being Seminar - Learning about "Lifetraps" (Part 1)

Dr Daria Russo introduces us to Lifetraps and helps us to identify and address our own. Take the lifetrap test here -https://www.tunnelukkosi.fi/en/

What are Lifetraps?
When we talk about a Lifetraps, we are talking about a negative life pattern which begins when we’re children or adolescents that repeats itself throughout our lives and is difficult to change. We learn them in childhood and in adolescence as the way to react, feel, think, and behave, and today when the lifetrap is triggered we tune in the those past experiences. Unfortunately, these methods are recognized as being harmful in adulthood and they work against us.

Everyone has lifetraps which, at times, guide our choices and impact our feelings. They bring worries and fears to our lives which are not based on real life risks. They make us hide our true feelings and problems at home with a spouse as well as in the workplace with a supervisor or colleagues. Because of them, we underestimate ourselves and our achievements and make us compare ourselves constantly with others.

It is important to know your lifetraps in order to take away the power they have over your life. You can do this by recognizing them, understanding their role in your life and processing the fact that you are now an adult who is capable of working through life experiences.

Dr Daria Russo, a licensed clinical psychologist with many years of experience in individual and family therapy, who is currently IFAD’s new Staff Counsellor.
Daria has been working in the mental health field since 2007. After studying and training in Italy and Australia, she completed her doctoral degree in psychology in the United States. She has practiced in a wide range of settings, from temporary and permanent residential housing programmes to inpatient and outpatient clinical environments. Her specialty is integrative therapy, a form of psychotherapy that combines different therapeutic tools and approaches to fit the needs of the individual client. In her practice, she also frequently uses CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy, a therapeutic approach based on problem-solving); psychodynamic therapy, a technique focused on interpreting mental and emotional processes; and EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, a technique that helps patients process traumatic memories), in addition to a range of other approaches and treatment methods. In her private practice, Daria works with people of all ages, including children. She supports individuals, couples and families dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, stress, anger management, eating disorders, and self-identity/esteem concerns.