In this episode of Regulated & Relational, Julie Beem and Ginger Healy explore anxiety through an attachment-focused and trauma-informed lens. Together, they discuss how worry, avoidance, emotional numbness, and perfectionism often develop as protective coping strategies, while also examining how these strategies can unintentionally keep us disconnected from ourselves and others.

Julie and Ginger help us understand anxiety is often less about eliminating fear and more about understanding what lies beneath it and share compassionate insight into the healing power of authentic connection, vulnerability, and relationship repair.

Resources Mentioned and Quotes

The Dance of Fear by Harriet Lerner
Relational-Cultural Theory (Judith Jordan)
Attachment- and trauma-informed approaches to healing and connection

"It is not fear that stops you from doing the brave and true thing in your daily life. Rather, the problem is avoidance." — Harriet Lerner, The Dance of Fear

"You want to feel comfortable and so you avoid doing and saying the thing that will evoke fear and other difficult emotions. Avoidance will make you feel less vulnerable in the short run, but it will never make you less afraid." — Harriet Lerner, The Dance of Fear

"The need for connection in which growth is a priority is the core motivation in people's lives." — Judith Jordan

Ep 129: Anxiety, Avoidance , and the Courage to Stay Connected

Regulated &amp; Relational

Ep 129: Anxiety, Avoidance , and the Courage to Stay Connected

Regulated & Relational