Welcome to Dr Sarah: Relationship Success Lab, where high achievers, executives, and entrepreneurs explore relationship fitness, healing from relationship trauma, and creating secure, trusting, and loving partnerships. Designed for those navigating high-stakes careers and relationships, we dive into trauma-informed coaching, relationship wellbeing, and practical strategies to recover from trauma bonding and build meaningful connections. Save your marriage, start building secure relationships and optimizing your relationship wellbeing.

 

Get your FREE downloadable Relationship Health Quiz here: https://www.relationshipsuccesslab.com/relationship-quiz

If you would like to book in a free consultation call, please click here: https://calendly.com/healtraumabonding-info/30min

For more information, contact [email protected]

The podcast discusses the concept of vulnerable narcissists, addressing the common resistance to the idea that narcissistic individuals have vulnerabilities. I go through the five types of narcissism, starting with overt narcissism characterized by arrogance and a sense of superiority. Antagonistic narcissists enjoy arguments and manipulative control, while communal narcissists portray themselves as morally superior. Covert narcissists hide their traits but reveal them in intimate relationships, leading to gaslighting. Malignant narcissism involves deriving pleasure from others' suffering.

The focus then shifts to the vulnerable narcissist, emphasizing that despite appearing as aggressors, their behavior stems from childhood traumas and neglect. I explain how growing up with absent or abusive caregivers shapes their skewed perception of relationships. Vulnerable narcissists either maintain distance or attack as a defense mechanism, struggling with the basic human need for love. The discussion highlights the role of empaths in trauma bonds, attracted to the vulnerable side of narcissistic individuals despite their harmful traits. I encourage you to hold onto empathy and understanding while acknowledging the challenges of dealing with narcissistic behaviors.

You're welcome to get i

Support the show

Welcome to Trauma Bonding to Relationship Success with Dr Sarah — the podcast that helps ambitious individuals and couples heal trauma bonding and toxic relationship cycles to build secure attachments and loving healthy relationships.

Hosted by Dr Sarah, psychologist, relationship strategist, and founder of Heal Trauma Bonding and Relationship Success Lab, this show guides you through practical tools and deep insights on:

✅ Healing from trauma bonding, narcissistic abuse, and emotional manipulation
✅ Building emotional resilience and secure attachment styles a
✅ Improving communication, empathy, and emotional intimacy
✅ Reclaiming your identity, boundaries, and self-worth
✅ Creating lasting relationship happiness and passion

Whether you're recovering from betrayal, navigating codependency, or simply ready to break free from the past, this podcast gives you the clarity, strength, and strategy to move forward

We hope you got massive value from this episode for your own healing and relationship progress. However if you do want to discuss your situation further, click here ttps://calendly.com/relationshipsuccesslab-info/discovery-call

LinkedIn: Dr Sarah (Alsawy) Davies

Instagram handle: @dr.sarahalsawy

Welcome to Dr Sarah: Relationship Success Lab, where high achievers, executives, and entrepreneurs explore relationship fitness, healing from relationship trauma, and creating secure, trusting, and loving partnerships. Designed for those navigating high-stakes careers and relationships, we dive into trauma-informed coaching, relationship wellbeing, and practical strategies to recover from trauma bonding and build meaningful connections. Save your marriage, start building secure relationships and optimizing your relationship wellbeing.

 

Get your FREE downloadable Relationship Health Quiz here: https://www.relationshipsuccesslab.com/relationship-quiz

If you would like to book in a free consultation call, please click here: https://calendly.com/healtraumabonding-info/30min

For more information, contact [email protected]

In today's discussion, I want to explore a question I've been asked recently—an important one that has recurred throughout my experiences. The question essentially boils down to whether the issues in a traumatic bond stem from the dynamics between the individuals involved, the abuser's inherent nature, or personal factors within oneself.

The answer, succinctly put, lies in all these components. Typically, in a trauma bond, one person exhibits narcissistic traits, presenting themselves as superior and prone to critical or threatening behavior. This individual is categorized as the "abusive party." On the other side is the person with empathic traits, high on the anxiety scale, is categorized as the "anxious empath."

The compatibility in this toxic dynamic arises from the anxiously attached person's vulnerabilities. When the abusive partner criticizes and manipulates, it aligns with the anxiously attached person's fears of inadequacy and abandonment. Similarly, the avoidant traits of the abuser, pulling away when things get too close, match the anxiously attached person's fear of rejection.

The key to breaking this cycle isn't changing the abuser but cultivating security and strength within oneself. The path to healing involves understanding that one cannot change others and focusing on p

Support the show

Welcome to Trauma Bonding to Relationship Success with Dr Sarah — the podcast that helps ambitious individuals and couples heal trauma bonding and toxic relationship cycles to build secure attachments and loving healthy relationships.

Hosted by Dr Sarah, psychologist, relationship strategist, and founder of Heal Trauma Bonding and Relationship Success Lab, this show guides you through practical tools and deep insights on:

✅ Healing from trauma bonding, narcissistic abuse, and emotional manipulation
✅ Building emotional resilience and secure attachment styles a
✅ Improving communication, empathy, and emotional intimacy
✅ Reclaiming your identity, boundaries, and self-worth
✅ Creating lasting relationship happiness and passion

Whether you're recovering from betrayal, navigating codependency, or simply ready to break free from the past, this podcast gives you the clarity, strength, and strategy to move forward

We hope you got massive value from this episode for your own healing and relationship progress. However if you do want to discuss your situation further, click here ttps://calendly.com/relationshipsuccesslab-info/discovery-call

LinkedIn: Dr Sarah (Alsawy) Davies

Instagram handle: @dr.sarahalsawy

Welcome to Dr Sarah: Relationship Success Lab, where high achievers, executives, and entrepreneurs explore relationship fitness, healing from relationship trauma, and creating secure, trusting, and loving partnerships. Designed for those navigating high-stakes careers and relationships, we dive into trauma-informed coaching, relationship wellbeing, and practical strategies to recover from trauma bonding and build meaningful connections. Save your marriage, start building secure relationships and optimizing your relationship wellbeing.

 

Get your FREE downloadable Relationship Health Quiz here: https://www.relationshipsuccesslab.com/relationship-quiz

If you would like to book in a free consultation call, please click here: https://calendly.com/healtraumabonding-info/30min

For more information, contact [email protected]

Today, I want to talk about a question I've been asked multiple times: Can you experience a trauma bond without overt abuse? I've heard variations of this question from various people over time, clients included. The core issue is feeling the signs of a trauma bond without clearly labeling your partner's behavior as abusive.

I've dealt with this in my own life, and I get it. The thing is, abuse isn't always blatant; it can be subtle, like manipulation and gaslighting. Growing up, we often learned to recognize abuse as something clear and physical. But the truth is, the more insidious forms of abuse, like manipulation, can be even more damaging because they're less obvious.

Let me share a client's story. She was in a relationship for years, feeling miserable but hesitant to call it abusive because her partner never physically hurt her. In one session, she said she wished he had hit her because then she'd have clear justification to leave. This revealed a common misconception: abuse doesn't always have to be physical.

It depends on factors like personality and attachment style. If you're highly empathic or conscientious, you might internalize blame and responsibility unnecessarily. I've seen it happen – partners being short or aggressive, and instead of addressing it, you take on the responsib

Support the show

Welcome to Trauma Bonding to Relationship Success with Dr Sarah — the podcast that helps ambitious individuals and couples heal trauma bonding and toxic relationship cycles to build secure attachments and loving healthy relationships.

Hosted by Dr Sarah, psychologist, relationship strategist, and founder of Heal Trauma Bonding and Relationship Success Lab, this show guides you through practical tools and deep insights on:

✅ Healing from trauma bonding, narcissistic abuse, and emotional manipulation
✅ Building emotional resilience and secure attachment styles a
✅ Improving communication, empathy, and emotional intimacy
✅ Reclaiming your identity, boundaries, and self-worth
✅ Creating lasting relationship happiness and passion

Whether you're recovering from betrayal, navigating codependency, or simply ready to break free from the past, this podcast gives you the clarity, strength, and strategy to move forward

We hope you got massive value from this episode for your own healing and relationship progress. However if you do want to discuss your situation further, click here ttps://calendly.com/relationshipsuccesslab-info/discovery-call

LinkedIn: Dr Sarah (Alsawy) Davies

Instagram handle: @dr.sarahalsawy

In today's episode, I'm diving into the fascinating topic of how trauma bonds impact not only our psychological well-being but also our genetic coding and physical health. So let's start by understanding that our DNA, our very genetic makeup, is significantly affected by the bonds formed through traumatic experiences. While we often focus on the emotional and mental aspects of trauma, it's vital to recognize that trauma leaves a trace in our brains and bodies.

Trauma bonds, especially those formed in relationships, have a profound influence on our limbic system. This part of our brain creates a blueprint of the trauma, which then manifests in our subconscious as an ongoing quest to resolve it. However, our limbic system lacks timestamps, creating an endless loop of unresolved trauma.

The brain and body can't distinguish past from present, leading to emotional pain and turmoil experienced long after a relationship ends. Whether the trauma bond was with a romantic partner, family member, or friend, the brain's genetic coding remembers and stores it. This is crucial because our subconscious mind governs 95% of our behaviors, constantly striving to address historical trauma, even if it doesn't know how or when.

Chronic stress, triggered by trauma bonds, leads to imbalances in our nervous system, high levels of stress hormones, and physical symptoms like disrupted sleep and weakened immunity. The impact of stress isn't limited to psychological distress; it affects our overall health. The body remains in a perpetual fight-or-flight mode, which can lead to various health issues, including gastrointestinal problems, heart conditions, and even cognitive impairment.

Furthermore, trauma bonds influence our genetic coding through epigenetics, altering our gene expression. DNA methylation adds methyl groups to specific genes, making them less active, especially in areas related to emotional regulation and stress response. Histone modification affects the accessibility of genes for transcription, making it difficult for us to regulate emotions, think clearly, and problem-solve during stressful situations.

Additionally, trauma bonds may be transmitted across generations, impacting not only our lives but those of our descendants. Inherited genetic coding can predispose future generations to similar emotional struggles and relationship dynamics.

The key to breaking free from the grip of trauma bonds is a holistic approach that combines psychological and phys

Support the show

Welcome to Trauma Bonding to Relationship Success with Dr Sarah — the podcast that helps ambitious individuals and couples heal trauma bonding and toxic relationship cycles to build secure attachments and loving healthy relationships.

Hosted by Dr Sarah, psychologist, relationship strategist, and founder of Heal Trauma Bonding and Relationship Success Lab, this show guides you through practical tools and deep insights on:

✅ Healing from trauma bonding, narcissistic abuse, and emotional manipulation
✅ Building emotional resilience and secure attachment styles a
✅ Improving communication, empathy, and emotional intimacy
✅ Reclaiming your identity, boundaries, and self-worth
✅ Creating lasting relationship happiness and passion

Whether you're recovering from betrayal, navigating codependency, or simply ready to break free from the past, this podcast gives you the clarity, strength, and strategy to move forward

We hope you got massive value from this episode for your own healing and relationship progress. However if you do want to discuss your situation further, click here ttps://calendly.com/relationshipsuccesslab-info/discovery-call

LinkedIn: Dr Sarah (Alsawy) Davies

Instagram handle: @dr.sarahalsawy

Welcome to Dr Sarah: Relationship Success Lab, where high achievers, executives, and entrepreneurs explore relationship fitness, healing from relationship trauma, and creating secure, trusting, and loving partnerships. Designed for those navigating high-stakes careers and relationships, we dive into trauma-informed coaching, relationship wellbeing, and practical strategies to recover from trauma bonding and build meaningful connections. Save your marriage, start building secure relationships and optimizing your relationship wellbeing.

 

Get your FREE downloadable Relationship Health Quiz here: https://www.relationshipsuccesslab.com/relationship-quiz

If you would like to book in a free consultation call, please click here: https://calendly.com/healtraumabonding-info/30min

For more information, contact [email protected]

In this episode, I delve into the profound impact of trauma bonds on individuals. I share a story of a client who grappled with a toxic and abusive relationship, shedding light on how trauma bonds can keep people trapped in painful situations. I explain how the mind often copes by avoiding the very issues that trouble us, even when it means running into the arms of what scares us.

The client's detachment from her traumatic experiences is explored, and her avoidance behaviors, such as deflecting, criticizing, or normalizing, are discussed. I underline the significance of recognizing these patterns in oneself and the need to address them, for healing and growth.

I emphasize the importance of seeking professional support to navigate the complexities of trauma bonds and the difficult questions they bring, like, "Does this person love me?" or "Did I mean anything to them?" These questions indicate the importance of addressing the relationship's impact and seeking help in a safe, supportive environment.

Ultimately, the goal is to break free from the cycle of trauma bonds, enabling individuals to heal and preventing them from running into the same issues in future relationships. By understanding themselves and their needs, individuals can make informed decisions about the relationships they choose

Support the show

Welcome to Trauma Bonding to Relationship Success with Dr Sarah — the podcast that helps ambitious individuals and couples heal trauma bonding and toxic relationship cycles to build secure attachments and loving healthy relationships.

Hosted by Dr Sarah, psychologist, relationship strategist, and founder of Heal Trauma Bonding and Relationship Success Lab, this show guides you through practical tools and deep insights on:

✅ Healing from trauma bonding, narcissistic abuse, and emotional manipulation
✅ Building emotional resilience and secure attachment styles a
✅ Improving communication, empathy, and emotional intimacy
✅ Reclaiming your identity, boundaries, and self-worth
✅ Creating lasting relationship happiness and passion

Whether you're recovering from betrayal, navigating codependency, or simply ready to break free from the past, this podcast gives you the clarity, strength, and strategy to move forward

We hope you got massive value from this episode for your own healing and relationship progress. However if you do want to discuss your situation further, click here ttps://calendly.com/relationshipsuccesslab-info/discovery-call

LinkedIn: Dr Sarah (Alsawy) Davies

Instagram handle: @dr.sarahalsawy

In this podcast episode, I will delve into the complex issue of why people often remain in relationships, especially in the aftermath of infidelity, within the context of a trauma-bonded relationship. I've noticed that many of you are hesitant to discuss your experiences of infidelity, as it can be a source of shame and embarrassment. Today, I'm going to explore ten main reasons why you might choose to stay in such relationships:

1. Intermittent Reinforcement: This psychological process leads to cycles of intense highs and devastating lows, keeping you hooked on the expectation of a reward.
2. Cognitive Dissonance: You may struggle to confront the harsh reality of your situation and often create alternative perspectives to cope.
3. Self-Esteem and Self-Worth: Continuous criticism and attacks in a relationship can erode your self-esteem, making you more likely to tolerate bad behavior.
4. Expectations of Improvement: You may hold onto the subconscious hope that your investment in the relationship will eventually yield positive returns.
5. Compassion and Empathy: Individuals who are drawn into trauma-bonded relationships tend to be highly compassionate and may prioritize their partner's needs over their own.
6. Gaslighting and Self-Gaslighting: You might doubt your own perception of reality, leading to self-gaslighting.
7. Fear of the Relationship Ending: The prospect of leaving is often complicated by factors like commitment, intertwined lives, and a neurological attachment to the trauma.
8. Conscientious Characteristics: Anxious individuals may feel compelled to do the right thing for their partners, even at their own expense.
9. Attachment Style: Those with an anxious attachment style may struggle to assert their own needs and may normalize their partner's behavior to maintain the relationship.
10. Normalization: Societal and cultural norms can impact your perception of infidelity and your willingness to accept it as a part of your relationship.

This episode offers insights into the psychological and emotional dynamics that can make it challenging for you to leave a trauma-bonded relationship, even after experiencing infidelity. I encourage you to be mindful of these patterns and your own experiences.

Whether you are surviving infidelity, improving your relationship, solving relationship problems, or healing trauma bonds, you can find my on Instagram at @dr.sarahalsawy or www.healtraumabonding.com

Support the show

Welcome to Trauma Bonding to Relationship Success with Dr Sarah — the podcast that helps ambitious individuals and couples heal trauma bonding and toxic relationship cycles to build secure attachments and loving healthy relationships.

Hosted by Dr Sarah, psychologist, relationship strategist, and founder of Heal Trauma Bonding and Relationship Success Lab, this show guides you through practical tools and deep insights on:

✅ Healing from trauma bonding, narcissistic abuse, and emotional manipulation
✅ Building emotional resilience and secure attachment styles a
✅ Improving communication, empathy, and emotional intimacy
✅ Reclaiming your identity, boundaries, and self-worth
✅ Creating lasting relationship happiness and passion

Whether you're recovering from betrayal, navigating codependency, or simply ready to break free from the past, this podcast gives you the clarity, strength, and strategy to move forward

We hope you got massive value from this episode for your own healing and relationship progress. However if you do want to discuss your situation further, click here ttps://calendly.com/relationshipsuccesslab-info/discovery-call

LinkedIn: Dr Sarah (Alsawy) Davies

Instagram handle: @dr.sarahalsawy

Are you wondering whether your current relationship is built on true love or if you're stuck in a trauma bond? It's a question that plagues many of us. This episode dives deep into this common dilemma, helping you navigate the complexities of love.

Often, the struggle arises when you've invested a significant amount of time, money, and emotion into a relationship, yet something feels amiss. You oscillate between moments of happiness and despair, unsure if the ups and downs are part of a healthy love or a result of a trauma bond.

Let's break it down:

Attachment Styles: From birth, humans form attachments for survival, but not all are healthy. Trauma bonds stem from insecure attachments, where you change yourself to feel safe. True love, on the other hand, thrives on unconditional acceptance and safety. You are worthy just as you are, without needing to meet conditions.

Love or Need: In trauma bonds, love often becomes a means to fulfill your emotional needs, leading to tests and constant vigilance. Mature love emanates from a genuine feeling for your partner, not as a response to your own insecurities.

Hypervigilance: Trauma-bonded individuals are hyper-aware of their partner's actions, while those in mature love have a healthier balance, noticing disrespect but not obsessing over it.

Liberation or Control: Trauma bonds often lead to feeling controlled and suppressed, as you mold yourself to please your partner. In mature love, you're liberated and free to express yourself, communicate boundaries, and voice your needs.

Individuality vs. Unity: In a trauma bond, there's a constant push to merge into one unit, sacrificing your identity. Mature love embraces individuality and encourages growth outside the relationship, celebrating differences.

Reflect on these aspects and your own experiences. Are you expressing love selflessly, or is it a response to your emotional needs? Do you find yourself constantly testing your partner? How vigilant are you about your relationship? Do you feel liberated or controlled? And finally, does your relationship allow for individuality?

Understanding these distinctions can help you assess whether you're in true love or caught in a trauma bond. Remember, it's okay to seek support and guidance as you navigate this complex terrain.

You can find my on Instagram at @dr.sarahalsawy or www.healtraumabonding.com

Support the show

Welcome to Trauma Bonding to Relationship Success with Dr Sarah — the podcast that helps ambitious individuals and couples heal trauma bonding and toxic relationship cycles to build secure attachments and loving healthy relationships.

Hosted by Dr Sarah, psychologist, relationship strategist, and founder of Heal Trauma Bonding and Relationship Success Lab, this show guides you through practical tools and deep insights on:

✅ Healing from trauma bonding, narcissistic abuse, and emotional manipulation
✅ Building emotional resilience and secure attachment styles a
✅ Improving communication, empathy, and emotional intimacy
✅ Reclaiming your identity, boundaries, and self-worth
✅ Creating lasting relationship happiness and passion

Whether you're recovering from betrayal, navigating codependency, or simply ready to break free from the past, this podcast gives you the clarity, strength, and strategy to move forward

We hope you got massive value from this episode for your own healing and relationship progress. However if you do want to discuss your situation further, click here ttps://calendly.com/relationshipsuccesslab-info/discovery-call

LinkedIn: Dr Sarah (Alsawy) Davies

Instagram handle: @dr.sarahalsawy

In today's episode, we're going to talk about how your anxious attachment style can affect your relationships. So, why does this even come from? Well, typically when people get involved or attracted to a trauma-bonded relationship, the person who's vulnerable, the person who ends up getting hurt tends to have an anxious attachment style. So let's take a moment to understand what an anxious attachment style is before delving into how it affects relationships.

An attachment style is essentially how you relate to other people and operate within relationships. It's based on how much you trust others and how worthy you feel. Attachment styles develop early in life, often stemming from childhood experiences, and they influence every aspect of your relationships, including romantic, platonic, familial, and professional.

With an anxious attachment style, you may believe that people only like you if you perform or act in specific ways to gain approval. You may constantly worry about how others view you and fear being abandoned or rejected. You become trapped in a cycle of seeking approval and avoiding rejection.

So, why is this important? Anxious attachment styles often lead to trauma-bonded relationships, where you're drawn to people who may reject or criticize you. This paradox occurs because your subconscious mind is seeking validation and approval, especially when it detects discomfort or potential rejection.

Now, let's explore five ways your anxious attachment style can impact your relationship patterns:

1. Self-Worth: Your worth becomes defined by others' approval. You feel worthy when you receive love and approval, but anxious when you don't.
2. Boundaries: Establishing and upholding boundaries becomes challenging, as you fear that setting boundaries may lead to rejection.
3. Hypervigilance: You constantly watch for signs of neglect, distance, or abandonment, which can become self-fulfilling prophecies.
4. Cycling in Relationships: You may find yourself stuck in toxic relationships, oscillating between fulfilling and depleting phases, hoping to relive idealized moments.
5. Ignoring Emotions: Anxious attachment styles often make you suppress gut feelings, causing you to overanalyze situations and feel paralyzed.

It's crucial to recognize how your attachment style impacts your relationships and emotional well-being, as it can help you break free from unhealthy patterns and seek more balanced, fulfilling connections.

Support the show

Welcome to Trauma Bonding to Relationship Success with Dr Sarah — the podcast that helps ambitious individuals and couples heal trauma bonding and toxic relationship cycles to build secure attachments and loving healthy relationships.

Hosted by Dr Sarah, psychologist, relationship strategist, and founder of Heal Trauma Bonding and Relationship Success Lab, this show guides you through practical tools and deep insights on:

✅ Healing from trauma bonding, narcissistic abuse, and emotional manipulation
✅ Building emotional resilience and secure attachment styles a
✅ Improving communication, empathy, and emotional intimacy
✅ Reclaiming your identity, boundaries, and self-worth
✅ Creating lasting relationship happiness and passion

Whether you're recovering from betrayal, navigating codependency, or simply ready to break free from the past, this podcast gives you the clarity, strength, and strategy to move forward

We hope you got massive value from this episode for your own healing and relationship progress. However if you do want to discuss your situation further, click here ttps://calendly.com/relationshipsuccesslab-info/discovery-call

LinkedIn: Dr Sarah (Alsawy) Davies

Instagram handle: @dr.sarahalsawy

Welcome to Dr Sarah: Relationship Success Lab, where high achievers, executives, and entrepreneurs explore relationship fitness, healing from relationship trauma, and creating secure, trusting, and loving partnerships. Designed for those navigating high-stakes careers and relationships, we dive into trauma-informed coaching, relationship wellbeing, and practical strategies to recover from trauma bonding and build meaningful connections. Save your marriage, start building secure relationships and optimizing your relationship wellbeing.

 

Get your FREE downloadable Relationship Health Quiz here: https://www.relationshipsuccesslab.com/relationship-quiz

If you would like to book in a free consultation call, please click here: https://calendly.com/healtraumabonding-info/30min

For more information, contact [email protected]

In this podcast episode, I want to talk about something that many of us can relate to. Have you ever found yourself in a relationship where you constantly try to keep the peace, always making sure your partner is okay and avoiding any conflicts? You might feel like you're walking on eggshells, nervous about expressing your true thoughts and feelings because you fear it will lead to arguments or you being perceived as the "bad guy."

It's crucial to understand that the primary aim of any relationship should never be solely about keeping the peace. While I recognize that safety can be a significant concern in some relationships, constantly suppressing your needs and desires to maintain harmony can lead to a state of trauma bonding. This is an unhealthy pattern where you become hypersensitive to your partner's reactions, always seeking their approval while trying to avoid criticism.

This podcast episode delves into the complexity of trauma-bonded relationships, where you find yourself sacrificing your true identity to please your partner. Over time, this can erode your sense of self, leaving you feeling hollow and empty when you finally break free.

The episode emphasizes the importance of prioritizing your safety, both physically and emotionally, while recognizing that keeping the peace should n

Support the show

Welcome to Trauma Bonding to Relationship Success with Dr Sarah — the podcast that helps ambitious individuals and couples heal trauma bonding and toxic relationship cycles to build secure attachments and loving healthy relationships.

Hosted by Dr Sarah, psychologist, relationship strategist, and founder of Heal Trauma Bonding and Relationship Success Lab, this show guides you through practical tools and deep insights on:

✅ Healing from trauma bonding, narcissistic abuse, and emotional manipulation
✅ Building emotional resilience and secure attachment styles a
✅ Improving communication, empathy, and emotional intimacy
✅ Reclaiming your identity, boundaries, and self-worth
✅ Creating lasting relationship happiness and passion

Whether you're recovering from betrayal, navigating codependency, or simply ready to break free from the past, this podcast gives you the clarity, strength, and strategy to move forward

We hope you got massive value from this episode for your own healing and relationship progress. However if you do want to discuss your situation further, click here ttps://calendly.com/relationshipsuccesslab-info/discovery-call

LinkedIn: Dr Sarah (Alsawy) Davies

Instagram handle: @dr.sarahalsawy

Trauma bonding is a complex relationship where extreme emotional highs and lows are experienced. In the beginning, it often feels magical with intense love, but it can also involve criticism, manipulation, and abuse. This cycle repeats over time. When things hit rock bottom, discussions of change might occur, leading to a renewed sense of love and hope. However, these highs are short-lived, and the relationship becomes increasingly painful. People may feel numb, disconnected from reality, and lose their sense of self.

The concept of trauma here involves both "big T" traumas, such as physical abuse, and "little T" traumas, which are subtler but still damaging. These little T traumas can accumulate and cause severe distress. They might include constant criticism, belittling, threats, or emotional manipulation.

The trauma bond typically follows several stages:

1. Love Bombing: The abuser showers the victim with intense affection and promises, drawing them in.
2. Trust and Dependency: Plans for the future are made, creating a sense of security and commitment.
3. Criticism: The abuser starts criticizing the victim, eroding their self-esteem.
4. Gaslighting and Manipulation: The abuser distorts reality, making the victim doubt their perceptions and judgments.
5. Resignation of Control: The victim eventually gives up trying to assert themselves or defend against criticism.
6. Loss of Self: The victim loses their identity, trying to conform to the abuser's expectations.
7. Addiction: The victim becomes addicted to the emotional highs, hoping for a return to the initial love and passion.

Breaking free from a trauma bond can be challenging but is essential for one's well-being. Recognizing that one doesn't need to be broken before leaving such a toxic relationship is crucial. It's vital to seek support from friends, family, or professionals to regain control, heal, and rebuild a healthier sense of self.

If you're looking to improve your relationships, solve relationship problems, heal trauma bonding, or are surviving infidelity, please reach out! I'm on

 Instagram @dr.sarahalsawy
 www.healtraumabonding.com

Support the show

Welcome to Trauma Bonding to Relationship Success with Dr Sarah — the podcast that helps ambitious individuals and couples heal trauma bonding and toxic relationship cycles to build secure attachments and loving healthy relationships.

Hosted by Dr Sarah, psychologist, relationship strategist, and founder of Heal Trauma Bonding and Relationship Success Lab, this show guides you through practical tools and deep insights on:

✅ Healing from trauma bonding, narcissistic abuse, and emotional manipulation
✅ Building emotional resilience and secure attachment styles a
✅ Improving communication, empathy, and emotional intimacy
✅ Reclaiming your identity, boundaries, and self-worth
✅ Creating lasting relationship happiness and passion

Whether you're recovering from betrayal, navigating codependency, or simply ready to break free from the past, this podcast gives you the clarity, strength, and strategy to move forward

We hope you got massive value from this episode for your own healing and relationship progress. However if you do want to discuss your situation further, click here ttps://calendly.com/relationshipsuccesslab-info/discovery-call

LinkedIn: Dr Sarah (Alsawy) Davies

Instagram handle: @dr.sarahalsawy