Rejection Sensitivity & ADHD
When rejection feels physically painful
Does criticism stay with you long after a conversation has ended?
Maybe you replay interactions, worry someone is upset with you, become defensive, withdraw, people-please or feel a strong urge to fix things straight away.
These experiences are often described as rejection sensitivity.
In this 2-hour workshop, Clinical Psychologist Dr Phoebe Lau will help you understand what happens when rejection sensitivity is triggered and, importantly, what you can do in the moment.
What is rejection sensitivity?
Rejection sensitivity describes a strong emotional response to actual or perceived rejection, criticism or disapproval.
For ADHDers, the reaction can happen quickly. You might feel hurt, ashamed, angry or anxious before you have had time to work out what has actually happened.
You may have also heard the term Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD). RSD is commonly discussed in ADHD communities, but it is not a formal diagnosis.
In this workshop, we’ll focus less on labels and more on understanding your patterns and what helps.
What we’ll cover:
We’ll explore:
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what rejection sensitivity can look like in ADHDers
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why rejection and criticism can feel so intense
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common responses such as withdrawing, people-pleasing, defensiveness and reassurance seeking
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how past experiences and shame can affect our responses
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how to recognise your own rejection sensitivity cycle
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practical ways to regulate when emotions are intense
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how to communicate after feeling hurt or rejected
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how to separate an experience of rejection from your sense of worth
You’ll also learn a simple framework you can use when rejection sensitivity shows up.
Is this workshop for me?
This workshop is for ADHDers who find rejection, criticism or perceived disapproval particularly difficult.
You might:
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replay conversations over and over
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worry that someone is upset with you
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find criticism hard to shake
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withdraw or shut down when you feel rejected
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become defensive or over-explain
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people-please to avoid rejection
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seek reassurance when you are unsure where you stand
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know logically that there may be another explanation, but struggle to access that perspective in the moment
You do not need to identify with the term RSD to attend.
What’s included?
2-hour live online workshop
Learn about rejection sensitivity and practical strategies you can use in everyday life.
2-page takeaway
A short, practical resource summarising the key ideas and strategies from the workshop.
14-day recording access
Rewatch the workshop, or catch up if you cannot attend live.
Meet your facilitator
Dr Phoebe Lau
Director and Principal Clinical Psychologist at The Inner Collective Clinical Psychology.
Phoebe has a particular interest in working with adults with ADHD. Her approach is neurodivergent-affirming and combines psychological understanding with practical strategies that can be used in everyday life.
Workshop Details
Date: Saturday 31 October 2026
Time: 3.30 pm – 5.00 pm
Location: Online by Zoom
Rejection sensitivity can leave you replaying conversations, questioning yourself or feeling overwhelmed by emotions that are difficult to shake. Join us to better understand why these reactions happen and learn practical strategies to manage them, so you can respond with greater confidence rather than feeling caught up in the moment.
* Places are intentionally limited to create a safe, supportive and interactive group experience.
Investment
Introductory price: $79 per person (including GST)
Your registration includes:
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2-hour live online workshop with Clinical Psychologist Dr Phoebe Lau
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Practical strategies to better understand and manage rejection sensitivity
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2-page takeaway resource with key concepts and strategies to revisit
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14-day access to the workshop recording to watch or revisit at your own pace
Rejection Sensivity Workshop FAQs
Looking for ongoing support?
If rejection sensitivity is affecting your relationships, self-esteem or everyday life, individual therapy can provide more personalised support.
Unlike a workshop, individual therapy offers a space to explore your experiences in greater depth, understand patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and develop strategies tailored to your needs.
At The Inner Collective Psychology, our psychologists provide neurodivergent-affirming therapy for adults with ADHD.
NEW!
The Inner Collective ADHD Workbook Series
This series was developed by a clinical psychologist with over a decade of experience working with ADHD adults.
Each workbook covers one of the areas that comes up most consistently in that clinical work: perfectionism, time management, task paralysis, and neurodivergent burnout.
They are written from a neuroaffirming perspective, grounded in current understanding of ADHD in adults, and designed to be genuinely useful rather than generically encouraging.
The workbooks are available as a complete series or individually. If you already know what you are looking for, the links below will take you directly there.
