Join the discussion on trauma and attachment theories with Jessica Fern, exploring the impact of adult attachment styles. Learn about invisible traumas in middle-class environments and the challenges faced in non-monogamous relationships. Discover strategies for developing secure attachments and navigating attachment issues in relationships.
Prioritize genuine relational experience over structures for secure attachment.
Early bonding with caregivers crucial for developing secure attachment, impacting relational patterns in adulthood.
Deep dives
Importance of Genuine Relational Experience over Dependent Structures for Secure Attachment
It is crucial to prioritize the genuine relational experience over depending solely on structures for secure attachment. Secure attachment is nurtured through how partners treat each other and show up in the relationship.
Understanding Attachment Theory and Early Attachment Experiences
Attachment theory emphasizes the importance of early bonding with caregivers to develop secure attachment. Children form either secure or insecure attachment based on their caregivers' responsiveness and attunement, shaping their relational patterns in adulthood.
Different Attachment Styles and Responses in Children and Adults
Children exhibit secure, avoidant, anxious, or disorganized attachment styles based on caregiver interactions. Adults may display similar patterns in their relationships, impacting how they respond to closeness, vulnerability, and conflict.
Challenges and Pitfalls in Applying Attachment Theory
While attachment styles can change over time with intentional healing efforts, individuals might over-identify with a single attachment style. Pitfalls include blaming attachment styles for all relationship issues without considering individual growth and complexities.
We're joined by Jessica Fern, author of the upcoming book Polysecure: Attachment, Trauma, and Consensual Non-monogamy. She is also a psychotherapist, public speaker, and relationship and trauma specialist, and this week she's talking with us about trauma and attachment theories, as well as strategies for gaining more secure attachments. Learn more about Jessica and her work at www.jessicafern.com, or email her at connect@jessicafern.com.
Join our amazing community of listeners at multiamory.supercast.com. We offer sliding scale subscriptions so everyone can also get access to ad-free episodes, group video discussions, and our amazing Discord community.
Multiamory was created by Dedeker Winston, Jase Lindgren, and Emily Matlack. Our theme music is Forms I Know I Did by Josh and Anand. Follow us on Instagram @Multiamory_Podcast and visit our website Multiamory.com.