The Dr. Sarah Hensley Show

Can two fearful avoidants make a relationship work? When both partners have fearful avoidant attachment, the connection can feel unusually deep—until conflict triggers an intense fight, a sudden shutdown, or a reversal of who is chasing whom.

In newest episode, Dr. Sarah and Raina explain the fearful avoidant–fearful avoidant (FA–FA) relationship cycle. They discuss why these partners often feel so understood at first, how fear of betrayal can turn a disagreement into a painful fight, and how this pattern differs from a fearful avoidant–dismissive avoidant relationship.

You’ll also hear why understanding your partner’s perspective does not mean agreeing with it, and how recognizing the cycle can help couples repair conflict and build a more secure connection.

Tune in every Tuesday morning for candid conversations, expert insights, and the guidance you need to navigate love and relationships in today’s world. For more information on Dr. Hensley’s offerings, explore the links below and connect with her on social media.

Patreon link: patreon.com/TheDrSarahHensleyShow

Dr. Hensley’s Hybrid Group Coaching: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/group-coaching

Individual Coaching: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/pick-your-coach/

Couples Coaching: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/pick-your-coach-couples/.

Purchase Dr. Hensley’s online courses: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/courses/

Tik-Tok: @drsarahhensley

Instagram: @dr.sarahhensley

Facebook: Dr. Sarah Hensley

Youtube: @Dr.SarahHensley

Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast reflects personal experiences, opinions, and perspectives. The stories told are based on real-life events as remembered and interpreted by the hosts and guests. While we may discuss past relationships, custody matters, or personal dynamics, we do so from our point of view and with the intention of healing, education, and advocacy.

Identities are not disclosed unless already publicly known or permitted, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental unless explicitly stated. The information provided is not intended to defame, malign, or harm any individual or entity.

We do not offer legal advice or psychological diagnosis. Listeners are encouraged to consult with professionals regarding their specific circumstances.

By listening to this podcast, you agree that the hosts are not liable for any losses, damages, or misunderstandings arising from its content.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-dr-sarah-hensley-show--6390558/support.

Why are fearful-avoidant and dismissive-avoidant partners so magnetically attracted to each other—only to become trapped in criticism, withdrawal, resentment, and disconnection?

In this episode, Dr. Sarah Hensley breaks down the fearful-avoidant/dismissive-avoidant relationship dynamic and explains how couples can interrupt the painful push-pull cycle before it destroys their relationship.

You’ll learn:

-Why fearful and dismissive avoidants are intensely attracted to each other
-How the honeymoon phase turns into a pursue-withdraw conflict cycle
-Why dismissive avoidants shut down—and why that activates fearful avoidants
-How criticism, emotional flooding, defensiveness, and unresolved conflict create resentment
-The dating red flags associated with both attachment styles
-Why conventional couples therapy can sometimes make this dynamic worse
-How neutral communication, emotional processing, mentalization, boundaries, and structured conflict repair can help
-Whether one partner can become the secure anchor and change the relationship

Dr. Hensley also shares a real-life conflict-repair example and explains why lasting regulation requires processing your emotions—not simply forcing yourself to calm down.

Whether you identify as fearful avoidant, dismissive avoidant, emotionally unavailable, or simply feel stuck in a push-pull relationship, this episode offers practical insight into understanding your attachment patterns, resolving conflict, and building a more secure connection.

Tune in every Tuesday morning for candid conversations, expert insights, and the guidance you need to navigate love and relationships in today’s world. For more information on Dr. Hensley’s offerings, explore the links below and connect with her on social media.

Patreon link: patreon.com/TheDrSarahHensleyShow

Dr. Hensley’s Hybrid Group Coaching: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/group-coaching

Individual Coaching: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/pick-your-coach/

Couples Coaching: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/pick-your-coach-couples/.

Purchase Dr. Hensley’s online courses: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/courses/

Tik-Tok: @drsarahhensley

Instagram: @dr.sarahhensley

Facebook: Dr. Sarah Hensley

Youtube: @Dr.SarahHensley

Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast reflects personal experiences, opinions, and perspectives. The stories told are based on real-life events as remembered and interpreted by the hosts and guests. While we may discuss past relationships, custody matters, or personal dynamics, we do so from our point of view and with the intention of healing, education, and advocacy.

Identities are not disclosed unless already publicly known or permitted, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental unless explicitly stated. The information provided is not intended to defame, malign, or harm any individual or entity.

We do not offer legal advice or psychological diagnosis. Listeners are encouraged to consult with professionals regarding their specific circumstances.

By listening to this podcast, you agree that the hosts are not liable for any losses, damages, or misunderstandings arising from its content.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-dr-sarah-hensley-show--6390558/support.

Dr. Sarah Hensley answers your questions about attachment styles and relationships in this audience-led Q&A.

Join Sarah and Raina as they explore real-life relationship concerns through the lens of attachment science, offering perspectives on understanding yourself and your connections with others.

Questions were submitted by members of the Dr. Sarah Hensley Clients and Community Facebook group—making this episode a conversation driven by the experiences and concerns of the community.

If you aren’t yet part of the free, private Dr. Sarah Hensley Clients & Community Facebook group, now is the perfect time to join. It’s a supportive, attachment informed space where you can ask questions anonymously, connect with others on a similar healing path, and receive guidance rooted in science and compassion.
➡️ Join the group here. https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1FV8YUfrfG/

Dr. Hensley will continue pulling from your submissions to feature your biggest questions on the podcast—because your growth, your clarity, and your healing matter here.

Tune in every Tuesday morning for candid conversations, expert insights, and the guidance you need to navigate love and relationships in today’s world. For more information on Dr. Hensley’s offerings, explore the links below and connect with her on social media.

Patreon link: patreon.com/TheDrSarahHensleyShow

Dr. Hensley’s Hybrid Group Coaching: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/group-coaching

Individual Coaching: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/pick-your-coach/

Couples Coaching: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/pick-your-coach-couples/.

Purchase Dr. Hensley’s online courses: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/courses/

Tik-Tok: @drsarahhensley

Instagram: @dr.sarahhensley

Facebook: Dr. Sarah Hensley

Youtube: @Dr.SarahHensley

Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast reflects personal experiences, opinions, and perspectives. The stories told are based on real-life events as remembered and interpreted by the hosts and guests. While we may discuss past relationships, custody matters, or personal dynamics, we do so from our point of view and with the intention of healing, education, and advocacy.

Identities are not disclosed unless already publicly known or permitted, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental unless explicitly stated. The information provided is not intended to defame, malign, or harm any individual or entity.

We do not offer legal advice or psychological diagnosis. Listeners are encouraged to consult with professionals regarding their specific circumstances.

By listening to this podcast, you agree that the hosts are not liable for any losses, damages, or misunderstandings arising from its content.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-dr-sarah-hensley-show--6390558/support.

Something new is in the works at Dr. Sarah Hensley Relationship Coaching Services—and in this episode, Dr. Sarah Hensley and Raina are giving you the first sneak peek.

 For months, the team has been developing a new project designed to take Dr. Hensley’s relationship coaching and attachment science to an entirely new level.

We can’t reveal everything just yet, but here’s what we can share.

Imagine having Dr. Hensley’s coaching framework and relationship tools in one place—along with the ability to assess your attachment patterns using scientifically grounded data, track your own progress over time, and even begin measuring changes within your relationship and partner dynamic.

Instead of another online attachment style “quiz” that gives you a label and sends you on your way, this project is being built around real relationship science, measurable progress, and actual behavior change. In this episode, Dr. Hensley and Raina pull back the curtain on: • The new project currently being developed behind the scenes

• Why Dr. Hensley wanted to create something beyond traditional attachment quizzes
• How attachment and relationship progress could actually be measured over time
• The possibility of tracking progress for both you and your partner
• How Dr. Hensley’s coaching program and tools will fit into the experience
• The bigger vision for where relationship coaching—and relationship science—could go next

There’s still a lot we can't share yet. But this is your first look at what’s coming next.

Subscribe to The Dr. Sarah Hensley Show to follow the project as it develops and be among the first to hear what’s coming.

Tune in every Tuesday morning for candid conversations, expert insights, and the guidance you need to navigate love and relationships in today’s world. For more information on Dr. Hensley’s offerings, explore the links below and connect with her on social media.

Patreon link: patreon.com/TheDrSarahHensleyShow

Dr. Hensley’s Hybrid Group Coaching: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/group-coaching

Individual Coaching: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/pick-your-coach/

Couples Coaching: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/pick-your-coach-couples/.

Purchase Dr. Hensley’s online courses: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/courses/

Tik-Tok: @drsarahhensley

Instagram: @dr.sarahhensley

Facebook: Dr. Sarah Hensley

Youtube: @Dr.SarahHensley

Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast reflects personal experiences, opinions, and perspectives. The stories told are based on real-life events as remembered and interpreted by the hosts and guests. While we may discuss past relationships, custody matters, or personal dynamics, we do so from our point of view and with the intention of healing, education, and advocacy.

Identities are not disclosed unless already publicly known or permitted, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental unless explicitly stated. The information provided is not intended to defame, malign, or harm any individual or entity.

We do not offer legal advice or psychological diagnosis. Listeners are encouraged to consult with professionals regarding their specific circumstances.

By listening to this podcast, you agree that the hosts are not liable for any losses, damages, or misunderstandings arising from its content.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-dr-sarah-hensley-show--6390558/support.

Why are you attracted to certain people? Why do some relationships make you feel secure while others trigger anxiety, distance, or fear? And why do the same relationship patterns seem to repeat—even when the person changes?

The answer may be found in your attachment system.

In this episode of The Dr. Sarah Hensley Show, Dr. Sarah Hensley breaks down the science of attachment in a way that’s easy to understand—and explains just how much your attachment style can predict about your intimate relationships.

Dr. Hensley explores how attachment influences who you choose as a partner, what you’re attracted to, how you experience emotional intimacy, how you respond to conflict and disconnection, and the behaviors that emerge when your attachment system is activated.

You’ll learn attachment styles—secure, anxious preoccupied, dismissive avoidant, and fearful avoidant—can experience the exact same relationship very differently, and why understanding your attachment style goes far beyond simply giving yourself a label.

Attachment isn’t just about how you behave in relationships. It’s an operating system influencing how you interpret, experience, and respond to love.

If you’ve ever wondered “Why do I keep choosing the same type of person?” “Why do I react this way in relationships?” or “Why does my partner respond so differently than I do?”—this episode will help you begin connecting the dots.

🎙️ The Dr. Sarah Hensley Show explores the science behind love, attachment, attraction, relationships, and human behavior.

Tune in every Tuesday morning for candid conversations, expert insights, and the guidance you need to navigate love and relationships in today’s world. For more information on Dr. Hensley’s offerings, explore the links below and connect with her on social media.

Patreon link: patreon.com/TheDrSarahHensleyShow

Dr. Hensley’s Hybrid Group Coaching: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/group-coaching

Individual Coaching: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/pick-your-coach/

Couples Coaching: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/pick-your-coach-couples/.

Purchase Dr. Hensley’s online courses: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/courses/

Tik-Tok: @drsarahhensley

Instagram: @dr.sarahhensley

Facebook: Dr. Sarah Hensley

Youtube: @Dr.SarahHensley

Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast reflects personal experiences, opinions, and perspectives. The stories told are based on real-life events as remembered and interpreted by the hosts and guests. While we may discuss past relationships, custody matters, or personal dynamics, we do so from our point of view and with the intention of healing, education, and advocacy.

Identities are not disclosed unless already publicly known or permitted, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental unless explicitly stated. The information provided is not intended to defame, malign, or harm any individual or entity.

We do not offer legal advice or psychological diagnosis. Listeners are encouraged to consult with professionals regarding their specific circumstances.

By listening to this podcast, you agree that the hosts are not liable for any losses, damages, or misunderstandings arising from its content.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-dr-sarah-hensley-show--6390558/support.

In this episode of The Dr. Sarah Hensley Show, Dr. Sarah Hensley and Raina Butcher are joined by Dr. Leslie Dobson, a forensic clinical psychologist, speaker, and author, for an in-depth discussion of the Lindsay Clancy case—a case that has raised difficult questions about mental health, postpartum psychiatric disorders, criminal responsibility, memory, and intent.

Bringing both a psychological and forensic perspective to the conversation, Dr. Dobson helps Dr. Sarah and Raina examine the known details surrounding the case and explore some of its most complicated questions. What role could severe postpartum mental illness have played? What happens to memory during a psychotic episode? How do forensic psychologists evaluate a person’s mental state at the time of an alleged crime? And how do clinicians distinguish between psychological explanations and legal responsibility?

Together, they discuss postpartum psychosis, dissociation, memory impairment, competency, criminal responsibility, and the psychological factors forensic experts consider when evaluating cases like this one. They also examine aspects of the Lindsay Clancy case that remain difficult to reconcile and why understanding someone’s psychological state can be far more complicated than labeling their actions as simply rational or irrational.

This conversation is not about reaching a verdict. It’s about looking beyond headlines and social media commentary to better understand the psychology, forensic considerations, and unanswered questions surrounding an extraordinarily complex and tragic case.In this episode:

• The psychology behind the Lindsay Clancy case
• Postpartum depression vs. postpartum psychosis
• How psychosis can affect perception, behavior, and memory
• What a forensic psychological evaluation actually examines
• Mental illness, intent, and criminal responsibility
• Why memory loss can occur during severe psychiatric episodes
• The details of the case that raise difficult psychological questions
• How experts evaluate whether behavior is consistent with a claimed mental state
• The limitations of analyzing a case without personally evaluating the defendant

Disclaimer: This episode is for educational and informational purposes only. The discussion is based on publicly available information, and none of the hosts or guests are providing a formal psychological or forensic evaluation of Lindsay Clancy.

Content Warning: This episode discusses child deaths, alleged homicide, suicide attempt, and severe postpartum mental health issues.

*We apologize for technical difficulties resulting in lower quality audio in this episode. We'll have the bugs worked out for next time!

Tune in every Tuesday morning for candid conversations, expert insights, and the guidance you need to navigate love and relationships in today’s world. For more information on Dr. Hensley’s offerings, explore the links below and connect with her on social media.

Patreon link: patreon.com/TheDrSarahHensleyShow

Dr. Hensley’s Hybrid Group Coaching: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/group-coaching

Individual Coaching: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/pick-your-coach/

Couples Coaching: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/pick-your-coach-couples/.

Purchase Dr. Hensley’s online courses: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/courses/

Tik-Tok: @drsarahhensley

Instagram: @dr.sarahhensley

Facebook: Dr. Sarah Hensley

Youtube: @Dr.SarahHensley

Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast reflects personal experiences, opinions, and perspectives. The stories told are based on real-life events as remembered and interpreted by the hosts and guests. While we may discuss past relationships, custody matters, or personal dynamics, we do so from our point of view and with the intention of healing, education, and advocacy.

Identities are not disclosed unless already publicly known or permitted, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental unless explicitly stated. The information provided is not intended to defame, malign, or harm any individual or entity.

We do not offer legal advice or psychological diagnosis. Listeners are encouraged to consult with professionals regarding their specific circumstances.

By listening to this podcast, you agree that the hosts are not liable for any losses, damages, or misunderstandings arising from its content.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-dr-sarah-hensley-show--6390558/support.

Dr. Sarah Hensley takes a psychological look at the Lindsay Clancy case, examining the complex questions surrounding postpartum mental health, psychotic episodes, memory, and criminal responsibility.

What happens to the brain during a psychotic episode? Can someone experience psychosis and later have little or no memory of what occurred? And how might severe postpartum psychiatric symptoms affect a person’s perception of reality, decision-making, and behavior?

Drawing on her background in psychology, Dr. Hensley breaks down the psychological concepts relevant to the case while also examining details that raise difficult questions. She discusses postpartum psychosis, memory disruption during psychotic episodes, altered states of reality, and the distinction between understanding a psychological explanation and excusing a horrific act.

Dr. Hensley also explores aspects of the Lindsay Clancy case that, from a psychological perspective, don’t seem to fit neatly together—and why those inconsistencies matter when trying to understand what may have happened.In this episode, we discuss:

• The psychology of psychotic episodes
• Whether psychosis can affect or disrupt memory
• Postpartum psychosis and other serious postpartum mental health concerns
• How someone’s perception of reality can change during severe psychiatric episodes
• The psychological questions surrounding the Lindsay Clancy case
• Details of the case that are difficult to reconcile
• The difference between psychological explanation, legal responsibility, and accountability

This is a nuanced discussion of an incredibly tragic case involving the deaths of three children. Our goal is not to diagnose Lindsay Clancy or determine guilt or innocence, but to explore the psychology relevant to the case and the questions it raises.

Content Warning: This episode discusses child deaths, alleged homicide, suicide attempt, and severe postpartum mental health issues.

Tune in every Tuesday morning for candid conversations, expert insights, and the guidance you need to navigate love and relationships in today’s world. For more information on Dr. Hensley’s offerings, explore the links below and connect with her on social media.

Patreon link: patreon.com/TheDrSarahHensleyShow

Dr. Hensley’s Hybrid Group Coaching: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/group-coaching

Individual Coaching: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/pick-your-coach/

Couples Coaching: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/pick-your-coach-couples/.

Purchase Dr. Hensley’s online courses: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/courses/

Tik-Tok: @drsarahhensley

Instagram: @dr.sarahhensley

Facebook: Dr. Sarah Hensley

Youtube: @Dr.SarahHensley

Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast reflects personal experiences, opinions, and perspectives. The stories told are based on real-life events as remembered and interpreted by the hosts and guests. While we may discuss past relationships, custody matters, or personal dynamics, we do so from our point of view and with the intention of healing, education, and advocacy.

Identities are not disclosed unless already publicly known or permitted, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental unless explicitly stated. The information provided is not intended to defame, malign, or harm any individual or entity.

We do not offer legal advice or psychological diagnosis. Listeners are encouraged to consult with professionals regarding their specific circumstances.

By listening to this podcast, you agree that the hosts are not liable for any losses, damages, or misunderstandings arising from its content.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-dr-sarah-hensley-show--6390558/support.

What is it really like to grow up as the daughter of an attachment expert?

In this deeply personal episode of The Dr. Sarah Hensley Show, Dr. Sarah Hensley is joined by her daughter, Gabby Hensley, for an honest conversation about childhood, grief, relationships, and what it means to find security as a Gen Z young adult.

Gabby opens up about losing her biological father, how she has learned to cope with grief as she’s gotten older, and the ways that loss has shaped her perspective on life and relationships. She also shares what it was like growing up with Dr. Hensley as her mom—and how years of conversations about attachment theory, emotional regulation, boundaries, and relationship patterns have influenced the way she approaches love today.

Together, they explore what secure attachment actually looks like in real life, the relationship struggles facing Gen Z, and what parents may not realize about the way their children experience love, loss, and connection.

It’s a vulnerable mother-daughter conversation about grief, growing up, breaking relationship patterns, and learning what healthy love really feels like.

Tune in every Tuesday morning for candid conversations, expert insights, and the guidance you need to navigate love and relationships in today’s world. For more information on Dr. Hensley’s offerings, explore the links below and connect with her on social media.

Patreon link: patreon.com/TheDrSarahHensleyShow

Dr. Hensley’s Hybrid Group Coaching: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/group-coaching

Individual Coaching: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/pick-your-coach/

Couples Coaching: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/pick-your-coach-couples/.

Purchase Dr. Hensley’s online courses: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/courses/

Tik-Tok: @drsarahhensley

Instagram: @dr.sarahhensley

Facebook: Dr. Sarah Hensley

Youtube: @Dr.SarahHensley

Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast reflects personal experiences, opinions, and perspectives. The stories told are based on real-life events as remembered and interpreted by the hosts and guests. While we may discuss past relationships, custody matters, or personal dynamics, we do so from our point of view and with the intention of healing, education, and advocacy.

Identities are not disclosed unless already publicly known or permitted, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental unless explicitly stated. The information provided is not intended to defame, malign, or harm any individual or entity.

We do not offer legal advice or psychological diagnosis. Listeners are encouraged to consult with professionals regarding their specific circumstances.

By listening to this podcast, you agree that the hosts are not liable for any losses, damages, or misunderstandings arising from its content.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-dr-sarah-hensley-show--6390558/support.

Infidelity is one of the most devastating forms of betrayal—but why do people cheat? Is it always about love? Do people who are unfaithful actually feel guilt and remorse? If they do, how long does that guilt last? And perhaps the biggest question of all: Can a relationship truly heal after betrayal?

In this episode of The Dr. Sarah Hensley Show, Dr. Sarah Hensley explores the psychology of infidelity through the lenses of attachment theory, neuroscience, trauma, and relationship psychology. Rather than offering simplistic answers, she examines the emotional, psychological, and relational factors that contribute to cheating, what genuine remorse looks like, and what it actually takes for couples to rebuild trust after betrayal.

Whether you've been cheated on, struggled with infidelity in your own relationship, or simply want to understand why it happens, this episode offers evidence-based insight, compassion, and practical guidance. In this episode:

• Why people cheat—even in seemingly happy relationships
• Is infidelity always about sex, or is there something deeper?
• Do people who cheat truly experience guilt, shame, and remorse?
• How long does guilt typically last, and what influences it?
• The neuroscience and psychology behind betrayal
• How infidelity impacts the nervous system and creates betrayal trauma
• Can trust be rebuilt after cheating?
• What healthy reconciliation actually requires from both partners
• When healing together is possible—and when it may not be

Healing after betrayal isn't about pretending it never happened. It's about understanding what happened, deciding what comes next, and learning whether trust can be rebuilt on a stronger foundation.

If this conversation helps you better understand betrayal, relationships, and emotional healing, subscribe for more episodes on attachment styles, trauma recovery, mental health, and healthy relationships.

Patreon link: patreon.com/TheDrSarahHensleyShow

Dr. Hensley’s Hybrid Group Coaching: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/group-coaching

Individual Coaching: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/pick-your-coach/

Couples Coaching: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/pick-your-coach-couples/.

Purchase Dr. Hensley’s online courses: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/courses/

Tik-Tok: @drsarahhensley

Instagram: @dr.sarahhensley

Facebook: Dr. Sarah Hensley

Youtube: @Dr.SarahHensley

Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast reflects personal experiences, opinions, and perspectives. The stories told are based on real-life events as remembered and interpreted by the hosts and guests. While we may discuss past relationships, custody matters, or personal dynamics, we do so from our point of view and with the intention of healing, education, and advocacy.

Identities are not disclosed unless already publicly known or permitted, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental unless explicitly stated. The information provided is not intended to defame, malign, or harm any individual or entity.

We do not offer legal advice or psychological diagnosis. Listeners are encouraged to consult with professionals regarding their specific circumstances.

By listening to this podcast, you agree that the hosts are not liable for any losses, damages, or misunderstandings arising from its content.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-dr-sarah-hensley-show--6390558/support.

Why does the more someone with anxious preoccupied attachment longs for love, reassurance, and connection, the more likely they are to experience the very abandonment they fear?

In this episode of The Dr. Sarah Hensley Show, Dr. Sarah Hensley explores one of the most heartbreaking paradoxes in attachment psychology: the anxious preoccupied attachment style. Learn how the intense fear of rejection can drive behaviors like overthinking, people-pleasing, excessive reassurance-seeking, and emotional hypervigilance—behaviors that often overwhelm relationships and unintentionally push others away. Rather than confirming that they are "too much," these relationship patterns are often rooted in early attachment wounds, inconsistent caregiving, and a nervous system that has learned to equate uncertainty with danger.

In this episode, you'll learn:
What anxious preoccupied attachment really is
Why fear of abandonment becomes a self-reinforcing cycle
How reassurance-seeking and emotional pursuit affect relationships
Why partners may withdraw in response to anxious behaviors The neuroscience behind attachment anxiety
Practical steps toward developing a more secure attachment style

Whether you identify with anxious attachment or you're trying to understand a loved one, this episode offers compassionate, science-backed insights into breaking free from the cycle of insecurity and building healthier, more secure relationships.

If you found this episode helpful, subscribe to The Dr. Sarah Hensley Show for weekly conversations on attachment theory, trauma recovery, emotional health, and relationship psychology.

Tune in every Tuesday morning for candid conversations, expert insights, and the guidance you need to navigate love and relationships in today’s world. For more information on Dr. Hensley’s offerings, explore the links below and connect with her on social media.

Patreon link: patreon.com/TheDrSarahHensleyShow

Dr. Hensley’s Hybrid Group Coaching: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/group-coaching

Individual Coaching: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/pick-your-coach/

Couples Coaching: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/pick-your-coach-couples/.

Purchase Dr. Hensley’s online courses: https://doctorsarahhensley.com/courses/

Tik-Tok: @drsarahhensley

Instagram: @dr.sarahhensley

Facebook: Dr. Sarah Hensley

Youtube: @Dr.SarahHensley

Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast reflects personal experiences, opinions, and perspectives. The stories told are based on real-life events as remembered and interpreted by the hosts and guests. While we may discuss past relationships, custody matters, or personal dynamics, we do so from our point of view and with the intention of healing, education, and advocacy.

Identities are not disclosed unless already publicly known or permitted, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental unless explicitly stated. The information provided is not intended to defame, malign, or harm any individual or entity.

We do not offer legal advice or psychological diagnosis. Listeners are encouraged to consult with professionals regarding their specific circumstances.

By listening to this podcast, you agree that the hosts are not liable for any losses, damages, or misunderstandings arising from its content.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-dr-sarah-hensley-show--6390558/support.