Human beings deeply desire to connect but also fear rejection, judgment, dismissal, and abandonment. Relationships with our significant others take this to a whole new level: because our partners know us so intimately, they can also have a deep healing AND hurtful impact on our well-being.
Many couples work through the pain and fear to connect at an even deeper level; others are overwhelmed or shut down by these wounds and resort to fight or flight mode to preserve themselves, at the expense of their bond.
In this two-part series, Joanne B. Kim and Melinda R. Olsen cover the following aspects of the couple's journey:
Common Conflict/Connection Styles
The Neuroscience of Love
Emotional Attunement & Empathy