Secure Attachment & Recognizing Secure States of Mind with Ann & Sue (208)

by | Jul 4, 2023 | Attachment, Episodes | 0 comments

Show Notes

What is secure attachment and how can I grow my own capacity for security?

We’ve covered the different protection and connection strategies – preoccupied (red on the spectrum), dismissing (blue on the spectrum), and unresolved (tie-dye), but today’s episode is all about what secure attachment actually looks like in daily life. You’ve experienced the continuum from red, blue, or even tie-dye, but how do you know when you’re in your green? A securely attached system doesn’t mean you’re never upset – it’s about having the ability to stay engaged while you have big feelings.  In this episode, Ann and Sue discuss what this can look like conversationally, conditions that promote a secure base in parenting, and how to check in with yourself and deepen your connection with others.

Security feels like: ‘people are generally trustworthy, and so am I' – Dr. Ann Kelley

Time Stamps for Secure Attachment

2:06 – What does security look like?

2:39 – Reminder of red and blue meanings in attachment

6:46 – Sue’s Bigfoot attachment analogy

8:27 – A secure attachment base is not the same as feeling securely attached

9:19 – The importance of integration and security

12:23 – Example of “joining” in conversation

19:39 – Understanding the attachment continuum

27:40 – Interactive questions to gauge your security

34:47 – Insightful questions to ask peers about influence

37:11 – Sue’s physical queues to know she’s in the green

39:37 – The role of curiosity in your green state

43:18 – Tracking your activation exercise

Resources for Secure Attachment

TU151: Secure Parenting While Under Stress with Dan Siegel & Tina Payne-Bryson REPLAY

Secure Relating, Not the Same as Secure Attachment with Ann & Sue (190)

TU 149: Modern Attachment Regulation Spectrum – An Integrated Model of Change

 

Secure Attachment & Recognizing Secure States of Mind with Ann & Sue – Transcripts

Please consider giving to Mental Health Liberation

 

We support mental health access to those traditionally left out of mainstream healthcare and use a portion of the income we receive from corporate sponsors to do just that!  We can only do that with the help of our Patrons – joining as a TU Neuronerd Podsquad premium subscriber, you support this mission and get a dedicated ad-free feed plus occasional very cool and unique study opportunities, reading groups, and unique surprises!  We invite you to join our community. Click here to join! 

Recent Episodes

Bonus – The 5 Phases of Divorce: From Heartbreak to Healing with Oona Metz (297)

Bonus – The 5 Phases of Divorce: From Heartbreak to Healing with Oona Metz (297)

Therapist and author Oona Metz draws on three decades of experience supporting women through divorce. She breaks down the emotional arc of separation through her five-phase model, offering a clear lens into the grief, upheaval, and eventual growth that can unfold. The episode also explores common misconceptions, practical guidance for clinicians and individuals, and the powerful role of support groups in the healing process. Listen now at TherapistUncensored.com/TU297

read more
Inner Stability in an Unstable World: Margaret Cullen on Equanimity (296)

Inner Stability in an Unstable World: Margaret Cullen on Equanimity (296)

Explore the role of equanimity, mindfulness, and compassion in navigating an increasingly complex world. Special guest
Margaret Cullen alongside co-host Sue Marriott discuss the evolution of mindfulness in modern culture, the foundations of compassion-based practices, and how these approaches can support resilience and emotional balance. Grounded in both clinical insight and lived practice, this conversation offers a thoughtful, accessible perspective on cultivating steadiness and clarity in the midst of ongoing challenges. Listen to the full episode now at TherapistUncensored.com/TU296

read more
Where Personal Healing Meets Collective Change with Prentis Hemphill (295)

Where Personal Healing Meets Collective Change with Prentis Hemphill (295)

Prentis Hemphill, alongside co-host Sue Marriott, traces their path from social organizing to somatic therapy, revealing how personal healing and collective transformation are deeply intertwined. Together, they explore how inherited myths, power dynamics, and collective trauma shape both our inner worlds and our social systems. This episode invites therapists and change makers alike to consider healing as more than an individual process—it’s relational, embodied, and political in impact.
Prentice offers grounded reflections and practical tools for working with the body, navigating power, and engaging in healing that extends beyond the self. Listen to the full episode now at TherapistUncensored.com/TU295

read more
Bonus – Hormones, Libido, and the Missing Conversation About Women’s Bodies with Dr. Christine Vaccaro (294)

Bonus – Hormones, Libido, and the Missing Conversation About Women’s Bodies with Dr. Christine Vaccaro (294)

Dr. Christine Vaccaro helps demystify women’s sexual health – exploring everything from hormones and anatomy to libido and pelvic floor challenges. Together, we break down what’s often misunderstood or overlooked, offering clear, empowering insights to help women better understand their bodies and advocate for their care. Listen now at TherapistUncensored.com/TU294

read more
How Music Heals What Words Can’t with Ann Koplow (293)

How Music Heals What Words Can’t with Ann Koplow (293)

Ann Koplow shares her journey as a therapist and musician, discussing the healing power of music, her experiences with a rare heart condition, and the importance of authenticity in therapy. She emphasizes the role of shamelessness in creative expression and how songwriting serves as a therapeutic tool for both herself and her clients. The conversation explores the impact of music on mental health, the creation of community through shared experiences, and the necessity of letting go of
shame to embrace one’s true self. Listen now at TherapistUncensored.com/TU293

read more

What else do you want to learn today?

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This