Course Description: Harvard Medical School calls it an epidemic, yet few clients come to therapy primarily complaining of loneliness, which lies at the core of many therapeutic issues. Addiction, depression, anxiety, relationship conflicts, work dissatisfaction, suicide, even homicide—all can stem from the pain of isolation and lack of intimate contact. Come explore the five causes of loneliness; the shame and self-blame that all-too-often repress our cry for contact; and practical solutions and therapeutic strategies to address this vital issue.

Objectives

Participants will be able to:

1. Describe the relationship between loneliness and early morbidity.
2. List two therapeutic presenting issues correlated with loneliness.
3. Describe the clinical differences between depression and loneliness.