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New York Times Best Seller Quiet: The Power Of Introversion

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The Center for Health and Counseling Services, also known as CHCS, expanded its programs this semester by introducing “Introverts Unite,” a unique group therapy geared toward introverts. “A group like this helps introverts be the best versions of themselves,” said Dr. Michael Alcee, Psychologist and Training Coordinator of CHCS. Inspired by the recurring themes throughout Susan Cain’s New York Times Best Seller Quiet: The Power of Introverts, Alcee recognized a need to create an outlet on campus to help the Ramapo College community understand the true meaning of introversion. “When I read her book and saw her TED talk, I realized how much introversion is an important part of people’s personalities,” said Alcee. “Another thing was that …show more content…

Contrary to standard dictionary definitions that connote introversion to be a weakness, this type of personality can prove to be just as powerful as extroversion. Students in the group strategize on how they can capitalize on their strengths as an introvert that enable them to be more sensitive and perceptive. “Introverts can often be very deep and very thoughtful. Even if they are quiet, they can have a lot to contribute,” explained Alcee. “In this day and age where we are all on our phones, back and forth, introverts know how to look inwards and connect. That’s something we are sort of losing as a culture and introverts do that instinctively. For millennials and this generation, that’s an important virtue and skill.” Having facilitated a number of groups in the past, Alcee finds “Introverts Unite” to be one of the more successful initiatives that has consistent participation with motivated individuals from all …show more content…

It’s diverse in terms of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation - everything. You’re going to hit a cross section of every different variety of persons,” said Alcee. “I think one of the wonderful things about that si that we talk about multiculturalism a lot and how important that is. Here, we have multiculturalism and yet something that is a common ground. I think it’s brining the best of difference and similarity together, which is really nice.” With college campuses generally extroverted by nature, whether it be through the participation requirements inside the classroom or the extracurricular activities that consume students’ time between classes, it’s essential to understand how introverts, and by contrast extroverts, function. This will only make it easier for people to work with each other to bring out the best in everyone. “The point of having a group like this is to create a better balance in the college culture that is a bit weighted toward extroverts,” said Alcee. “By having this group like this, it creates a little bit more balance between this yin and yang and that’s kind of healthy for classes, socializing on campus and allowing introverts to contribute

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