Hi, I’m Dr. Jodi Aman, and today we’re diving into a relationship topic that hits close to home for so many of us: avoidant attachment. You might have heard about attachment styles before, but we’re going deeper into what avoidant behaviors really are, why they develop, and how they affect our ability to connect with the people we care about. I’m here to share powerful insights, relatable stories, and practical tips to help you navigate these challenges and build healthier, more fulfilling relationships. Let’s get started!
Episode Summary:
In this episode, I explore the concept of avoidant attachment—a pattern where individuals pull back from intimacy and emotional closeness in relationships. We’ll start by unpacking the roots of avoidant attachment, which often stem from past trauma, unmet emotional needs, or a fear of vulnerability. I’ll help you understand how these behaviors, like distancing, shutting down during conflict, or avoiding deep emotional conversations, often serve as coping mechanisms, not character flaws.
Together, we’ll explore how to identify avoidant tendencies in yourself or your partner and, most importantly, what you can do about them. I’ll share actionable strategies to help you foster open communication, develop empathy, and set healthy boundaries—tools that can make a huge difference in creating stronger, more secure relationships.
This episode also features live coaching with guests Sue and Amy, who are navigating relationships where avoidant attachment plays a role. You’ll hear real-life examples of how to approach and manage these dynamics, offering you relatable and practical insights you can use in your own life.
If you’re ready to better understand yourself or your loved ones and transform avoidant patterns into opportunities for deeper connection, this episode is for you. Let’s dive in!
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About Dr. Jodi:
Jodi Aman is a social work doctor with 28 years of experience in clinical practice. She helps clients heal from trauma, understand the world, and reclaim self-confidence. She created C.O.M.P.A.S.S., an emotional wellness curriculum for middle and high school health classes designed to mitigate symptoms of anxiety and depression.
You can find hundreds of self-help videos on YouTube @doctorjodi. Also, watch her TEDx Wilmington talk, "Calm Anxious Kids," and read her award-winning book, Anxiety… I'm So Done with You! to learn how to understand and reverse the current mental health crisis. More about Jodi.
Ask Dr. Jodi Live
Welcome to Ask Dr. Jodi, where you get trauma-informed mental health and relationship advice you won’t hear anywhere else. Advice that helps you breathe a sigh of relief.
You’ll discover that your brain is not broken. That…. Whatever you are feeling is understandable. You are having a regular human response to the context of this crazy world. But that doesn’t mean you are destined to stay like this. You can get better. And I’m here to help.
We cover topics that you and those you love are dealing with every day, helping you understand the problem, yourself, and other people so you have the information you need to heal, shift beliefs, get relief, set strong limits, let go, or act in a way that helps you and those you love FEEL BETTER.
I’m your host, Dr. Jodi. I've worked for 28 years as a psychotherapist, so I've seen and understood the nuances of human behavior and relationships from a rare perspective inside people’s minds and emotions. Together, we’ll discover how you are much more amazing than you think you are, build your confidence, and accelerate your healing journey.
We livestream this show on YT every Monday at 8 PM E, @doctrojodi, so follow me there so you can participate in the conversation. We do live coaching on air, and you can get personalized advice for your situation. You will gain a deeper understanding of yourself, gain practical tips, and hear from relatable guests who will show you how to get rid of worry, strengthen your emotional bandwidth, and create a happy, purposeful life.