01/06/2026
Trauma bonds to connection. Women with a history of trauma often remain emotionally tied to relationships that are unhealthy because their nervous system learned to prioritize connection over safety. If early relationships were unpredictable, critical, or emotionally unavailable, staying became a way to reduce anxiety and avoid loss — even when the relationship caused harm.
This isn’t about poor boundaries or lack of insight. It’s about patterns formed when connection felt fragile. For many women, leaving can trigger deep fears of abandonment, guilt, or responsibility for the other person’s emotions, so staying feels less threatening than separation.
Healing doesn’t require forcing yourself to walk away before you’re ready. It involves helping your nervous system experience that closeness can be consistent, respectful, and safe. With support, it is possible to form relationships that don’t require self-sacrifice to maintain.
As we move into the new year, I’m accepting new clients in CA, NC, & NY. You can schedule a free intro call with me (link in bio).💛