Ep 344 Feeling Attacked vs. Being Attacked: Navigating Conflict with Empathy

Marriage Therapy Radio

Zach shares of his first-time experience with Dungeons and Dragons. Laura is looking forward to a murder mystery party.

They then explore the dynamics of acknowledging and meeting your partner's expressed needs, using a story from Laura’s therapy practice as a springboard to discuss the significance of understanding each other's boundaries and preferences.

Zach and Laura examine the role of emotional responses in relationships, particularly around anger and justified reactions. They emphasize the importance of differentiating between feeling attacked and being attacked, highlighting how trauma and personal history can sometimes cause a partner to perceive threats where none exist. They also discuss the concept of “getting big” to protect oneself and how trauma work—especially body-focused approaches—can aid in emotional regulation.

The episode concludes with reflections on long-term commitment, the value of patience in relational healing, and the realities of navigating relationships with a trauma-affected partner. They end on a light note, inviting listeners to explore their Patreon for bonus content, including personal stories and Zach’s book club.

Episode Highlights:

1. Acknowledging Partner’s Needs: Laura shares a story about a couple dealing with a move due to one partner’s mental health needs, opening up a discussion on balancing personal needs with relationship commitments.
2. Differentiating Feeling Attacked from Being Attacked: Zach and Laura explore how trauma can shape a person’s perception of conflict, offering insights on how partners can respond thoughtfully rather than reactively.
3. “Getting Big” to Protect Yourself: They discuss how partners sometimes amplify their reactions to feel more secure, emphasizing the importance of finding healthy expressions of anger and frustration.
4. Patience in Relational Healing: Laura reflects on a partner’s question about when their relationship will feel “normal” again, underscoring that healing is often a slow process requiring empathy and grace.

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