Ep: 128: How to Be Secure & Less Anxious In Relationships; Julie Menanno

In this conversation, Julie Menanno, a licensed therapist and author of the book Secure Love, discusses the importance of secure attachment in relationships. She explains the mission of teaching people how to be emotionally supportive to each other and the need for specific skills to achieve emotional support. The conversation explores common issues in couples, the different attachment styles, and the impact of attachment styles on the sex life of individuals. Julie provides insights on how to overcome conflicts and change patterns in relationships, emphasizing the importance of communication and education on sex. In this conversation, Keresse Thompson, LCSW, interviews Julie Menanno about her book 'Secure Love' and discusses how to express needs in a relationship and the importance of communication. Julie shares insights on how to approach difficult conversations with a partner, emphasizing the need to ground oneself and understand the fears and concerns of both individuals. She suggests leading with empathy and understanding, acknowledging that there may be valid reasons for a partner's resistance or withdrawal. Julie also highlights the importance of ongoing communication and seeking professional help if needed. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the significance of open and honest communication in building a secure and fulfilling relationship. Takeaways Secure attachment is essential for healthy relationships and involves being emotionally supportive to each other. Common issues in couples include negative communication cycles and a lack of emotional safety. Understanding attachment styles, including anxious, avoidant, and disorganized attachment, can help individuals navigate their relationships. Creating secure attachment requires self-regulation, self-connection, and learning to give and receive emotional support. Attachment styles can significantly impact the sex life of individuals, and open communication and education on sex are crucial for a fulfilling sexual relationship. Ground yourself before approaching difficult conversations with your partner. Lead with empathy and understanding, acknowledging your partner's perspective. Initiate ongoing communication and create a safe space for discussing relationship issues. Seek professional help if needed to address persistent challenges. Chapters 00:00Introduction and Background 03:18Mission and Focus of Secure Attachment 05:13Common Issues in Couples 08:12Understanding Attachment Styles 11:35Disorganized Attachment 18:54Creating Secure Attachment 25:28Impact of Attachment Styles on Sex Life 28:29Overcoming Conflicts and Changing Patterns 34:05Importance of Communication and Education on Sex 34:37Using Scripts to Improve Communication 34:50Expressing Needs in a Relationship 40:33The Importance of Communication 42:12Writing 'Secure Love' and Helping Couples To Purchase “Secure Love” https://www.amazon.com/Secure-Love-Create-Relationship-Lifetime/dp/1668012863 To get in touch with Julie or inquire about 1:1 Services: https://www.thesecurerelationship.com/ To follow Julie: https://www.instagram.com/thesecurerelationship If you like this podcast please leave me a review and rate! For more info on my services such as Tarot readings please visit my website at www.therapeutichealingbyreese.com Follow me on Instagram! https://instagram.com/_keresse_?utm_medium=copy_link Follow me on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/TherapeuticHealingByReese/ TikTok: DiaryofanEmpathPodcast