The Anxious & Dismissive Avoidant Cycle

S5E06 – The Anxious & Avoidant Cycle

with guest Malisa Hepner, therapist, author, and host of “Emotionally Unavailable”

Why do anxious and avoidant partners seem irresistibly drawn to each other—yet often end up in cycles of push, pull, and misunderstanding?

In this episode of the Empower Create Encourage Podcast, I sit down with Malisa Hepner to unpack the magnetic (and sometimes messy) connection between these two attachment styles.

After we explore:

• The simple truth about what drives anxious and avoidant attraction
• The recurring patterns in decision-making, problem-solving, and conflict
• How emotional safety can be cultivated for both partners
• Common intimacy and bedroom dynamics in anxious/avoidant relationships
• The impact of dissociation and “performative desire” on connection
• How avoidance of pain affects emotional intimacy
• Grounding and regulation techniques for individuals and couples
• One small but powerful step couples can take toward secure love—even if they’ve never experienced it before

If you’ve ever felt stuck in this loop—or love someone who has—this conversation will help you see the cycle clearly and give you tools to change it.

🎧 Tune in and remember: You are empowered to create the love, life, and reality you desire.

Connect with Malisa Hepner, on her instagram | @malisa.hepner

Connect with Alessandra Charlesworth | https://linktr.ee/empower.create.encourage

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