“Rejection Therapy.” Therapists say it can really work.
Below is a summary of the article I contributed to. Read the full article on Business Insider.
Rejection Therapy: Michelle Panning, a relationship coach, tried "rejection therapy" for 30 days to face her fear of rejection by making small, often unusual requests.
Exposure Therapy: Although not an official therapy, experts say rejection therapy mirrors exposure therapy, which is used to treat anxiety by gradually reducing fear responses.
Gen Z Struggles: Rachel Goldberg, a licensed therapist, notes that Gen Z struggles with rejection post-pandemic, with many avoiding discomfort or conflict.
Building Confidence: Gradual exposure to rejection can build confidence and help individuals become more comfortable with advocating for themselves.
Body Language: How you carry yourself when making a request matters. Panning found that confident body language and energy influenced how others responded to her.
Start Small: Start with smaller requests when trying rejection therapy, working your way up to more daunting ones for better results.
Consistency is Key: Practicing consistently is important for progress; one-time requests won’t have the same long-term effects.
Outcome: Panning found that her confidence in relationships improved, as rejection became less personal and she felt more empowered to assert her needs and boundaries.
