This week's episode is a special episode, especially if you're an achiever (like most of our listeners are). Leon, a long-time fan from South Africa, reached out for a one-time session that doubles as a podcast interview.

While your situation might not be exactly the same as Leon's, if you're an achiever or struggle with abandonment issues or neediness, there will likely be several themes that apply to both your life, as well.

I treated this interview like an initial consultation. Listening will give you insights into how you could accept your inner child parts that have been filling you with emotional turmoil (even if you don't have the same exact problems as Leon does).

Best part?

Well, about a week after we recorded this interview, Leon reached out to give me an update. It blew my mind—and his initial progress will blow your mind too.

If you feel stuck, abandoned, needy, or just can't get over your desire to achieve (because you're unconsciously looking for love), this episode will help you get on the right path.

Listen now.

Show Highlights Include:

• How being a "Parentified Child" forces you to take on your parent's emotional struggles and become a needy adult (and how to break free from this restraint after growing up) (0:29)
• What to do when you feel lonely on your self-development journey and constantly ask yourself when your journey will actually end (8:52)
• How to start opening up and being more vulnerable when you feel like you'll be ridiculed and judged when you do (13:01)
• Why resisting reality is the most painful thing you can do (and how your life starts to change subtly as soon as you accept reality) (23:04)
• How living in a single closet in a big city as a single man can present you with more exciting opportunities than having a lavish house in a small town (26:53)
• Do you constantly worry that you're not meeting your potential? Here's why it's impossible to fulfill your potential (40:40)
• Why meeting your therapist in person is actually the worst way to leverage the therapeutic process for your self-growth (48:17)
• How to stop being ashamed by your neediness (and how to use it to find the relationship you want) (1:00:09)
• Why learning how to embrace sadness, anger, and fear is one of the best ways to embrace love (1:07:18)

Does your neediness, fear, or insecurity sabotage your success with women? Do you feel you may be unlovable? For more than 17 years, I've helped thousands of people find confidence, fulfillment, and loving relationships. And I can help you, too. I'm therapist and life coach David Tian, Ph.D. I invite you to take this quick quiz to access my free Masterclasses on dating and relationships at https://dtphd.com/quiz now.

For more about David Tian, go here:

https://www.davidtianphd.com/about/

Emotional Mastery is David Tian's step-by-step system to transform, regulate, and control your emotions... so that you can master yourself, your interactions with others, and your relationships... and live a life worth living. Learn more here:

https://www.davidtianphd.com/emotionalmastery