If emotional intensity or cravings often feel overwhelming—especially on hard days with symptoms or stress—you're not alone, and it's not because of lack of willpower.

Most approaches focus on pushing through or "thinking positive." This workshop offers something different: a gentle, science-backed understanding of emotions as valid messengers (not problems to numb), and how meeting them with compassion can reduce craving urgency, ease emotional volatility, and support remission.

 What you'll take away

• Why emotions drive cravings so strongly (and amplify symptoms)
• The research showing emotional regulation skills lead to lower relapse and better health outcomes
• A simple mindset shift that reduces shame and opens real choice
• How Parts Work helps us respond to emotions with kindness rather than fight or flight

 Presented by Dr. Joan Ifland

Dr. Ifland is a leading pioneer in the field of processed food addiction, with over 25 years of groundbreaking research and clinical work. She is the editor of the landmark textbook Processed Food Addiction: Foundations, Assessment, and Recovery, author of the widely used online recovery program, and founder of the Addiction Reset Community (ARC). Dr. Ifland's evidence-based approach has helped thousands achieve freedom from cravings and move toward remission from related chronic conditions by addressing the addictive nature of processed foods at its root. Her compassionate, science-backed methods continue to transform lives worldwide.

 The Science in Simple Terms

Emotions involve physiology, key brain regions (amygdala, prefrontal cortex, insula), and stress hormones. In processed food addiction, negative emotions strongly trigger reward pathways, creating cycles. Chronic illness adds inflammation and amplification.

Research shows building emotional regulation skills correlates with lower relapse, fewer binges, better adherence, and reduced inflammatory markers. Affect labeling calms amygdala activation. Higher capacity opens real choice.

The Gentle Topics You'll Explore

• Emotions as valid messengers
• Building awareness of body, feelings, parts
• Regulating intensity with compassion
• Reshaping interpretation, relationships, self-regard
• Applying under pressure—cravings, flares, stress

No forced positivity—just realistic, compassionate tools.

This free workshop is open to everyone—no commitment, no sales pitch. Just clear, compassionate insight that many find immediately helpful.

 Spaces limited for live sessions. Recording sent to all registrants.

We look forward to sharing this with you.