

S1Ep5 Distance with Dr. Jenny Brown
Oct 2, 2024
Dr. Jenny Brown, an expert in family therapy and former Executive Director of the Family Systems Institute Sydney, dives into the intriguing dynamics of emotional distance in relationships. She shares how distancing often stems from discomfort and affects connections. Listeners will learn about the phenomenon of cutoff, personal anecdotes illustrating relationship boundaries, and the role of self-awareness in fostering deeper emotional engagement. Jenny also emphasizes the need for intentionality and offers insightful resources for navigating family dynamics.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Distance as Automatic Emotional Regulator
- Distance in relationships is an automatic emotional process responding to tension, not a deliberate choice.
- It serves to regulate system anxiety but can escalate intensity over time if overused.
Office Stress Relief Example
- In "The Office" episode, stress triggers physical reactions when Michael invades others' personal space.
- This illustrates how physical proximity affects emotional and physiological discomfort in relationships.
Parenting Overwhelm and Distance
- A parent overwhelmed by intense attachment may emotionally distance to regain space, though the child perceives it as neglect.
- This distancing is reactive, not intentional, and contributes to relationship tension cycles.