Dr. Ana Gallego - conflict resolution styles and tools to improve your closest relationships

Welcome to another episode of the Mental RACE Podcast! Today we have a special guest, Dr. Ana Callego who has been researching and teaching conflict resolution in intimate partnerships. We'll uncover the secrets to fostering healthier, more harmonious connections with your partner and shed light on the various strategies that couples employ in resolving their disputes. We will also discuss the more grim side of our relationships - physical and psychological violence and abuse, and how "the nordic paradox", i.e. gender-based violence being higher in the countries with most gender equality compared to some countries with less gender equality. But that's not all - we'll also discuss how working on and nurturing intimate partnerships can have a profound impact on the performance and wellbeing of the individuals within the relationship. Specifically, we discuss about the work of John Gottman and how Dr. Gallego has implemented this in her intimate partnership workshop.  The quality of our personal relationships can significantly influence our emotional and mental state, and ultimately, our performance in various aspects of life. So, whether you're navigating the choppy waters of a long-term partnership or just starting a new relationship, get ready for an eye-opening discussion that could transform the way you approach conflict within your most cherished bonds and how it can elevate your personal and professional life. Dr. Ana Gallego has been serving as a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Psychology at the University of Jyväskylä since 2017. Her research pursuits primarily revolve around the development and assessment of the effectiveness of interventions rooted in acceptance and values, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness. While her primary research focus centers on social anxiety, particularly Public Speaking Anxiety, she also displays a keen interest in addressing various facets of mental health, such as addictive behaviors, sleep issues, and chronic pain. More recently, Ana has been intriqued about the potential of virtual reality (VR) as a tool for augmenting psychological interventions, and she has actively participated in the VRperGENERE project, which seeks to employ VR in addressing gender-based violence. In addition, Ana is exploring the feasibility and acceptability of integrating other technological tools, such as web environments, ecological momentary assessment (EMA), and artificial intelligence (AI), to enhance the efficiency of psychological interventions. Here Dr. Gallegos´s publications: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ana-Gallego-6 VRperGENERE project: https://justice-trends.press/use-of-virtual-reality-in-catalan-prisons-challenges-and-opportunities/ Books we talked about: Gary Chapman - The 5 love languages John Gottman - The seven principles for making marriage work