218 - Finding Your Voice Through Intimacy: Beyond Freeze, Fear, and Fawning w/ Leah Carey

218 - Finding Your Voice Through Intimacy: Beyond Freeze, Fear, and Fawning w/ Leah Carey

What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol? In this captivating episode of Adult Child, Andrea Ashley welcomes Leah Carey, a Sex and Relationship Coach, to explore the complex web of intimacy, relationships, and the impact of growing up in fear-based environments. Leah shares her personal journey of overcoming a high-control childhood, where patriarchal abuse and purity culture left deep scars.

With humour and honesty, she unpacks the survival patterns of freezing and fawning in intimacy and how they shape our adult relationships. Leah's insights are not just theoretical; she draws from her own life experiences, providing a raw and relatable perspective on healing. She talks about the importance of communication, not just in romantic relationships but in all aspects of life.

The conversation touches on heavy topics like narcissistic abuse, childhood trauma, and the challenges of non-monogamy, yet manages to maintain a hopeful tone throughout. Andrea and Leah also discuss the broader societal implications of these issues, highlighting how many adults carry unresolved trauma from their upbringing. Whether you're struggling with similar challenges or simply curious about the dynamics of intimacy and healing, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice.

So, how do you find your voice in a world that often silences it? This episode might just hold some answers for you.