How do the wounds from our past shape our present relationships? In this compelling conversation with Elaine Evans, EMDR-certified therapist and owner of Third Place Therapy, we explore the invisible threads connecting childhood experiences to adult relationship patterns.
Elaine masterfully breaks down how trauma lives in our bodies long after the original experiences have passed. She explains trauma as "anything that is too much too soon, too much for too long, or too little for too long" – a definition that honors the unique way each person's nervous system responds to life events. Through vivid examples and compassionate insights, she illuminates how these early wounds create the lens through which we view our partners' actions today.
The discussion takes a fascinating turn as we explore attachment styles and the magnetic attraction between anxious and avoidant types – that classic dynamic portrayed in countless romantic movies. Elaine challenges the stigma around "emotionally unavailable" partners, reframing avoidant attachment as a brilliant survival strategy rather than a character flaw. This perspective shift alone could transform how many listeners understand their relationship challenges.
What truly sets this conversation apart is Elaine's emphasis that healing doesn't mean "fixing" ourselves. "Often the belief that I'm broken and need fixing is the problem," she explains. Her approach invites us to see that while our situations may have been broken, we remained whole at our core – worthy of love and connection.
Whether you're struggling to understand persistent relationship patterns, curious about how your past influences your present, or simply wanting deeper connection with yourself and others, this episode offers practical wisdom and healing perspectives.
Ready to transform your relationship with yourself and others? This conversation is your starting point!
Connect with Elaine:
Third Place Therapy Website
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Self Paced Course: Heal Your Trauma to Improve Your Relationships
Free e-book: Heal Your Trauma to Improve Your Relationships
Disclaimer: Although I am a licensed therapist, the information in this podcast is not therapy and not intended to replace mental health counseling.
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