The Deeper Truth About Fawning: How Survival Turns Into Self-Abandonment w/ Ingrid Clayton

The Deeper Truth About Fawning: How Survival Turns Into Self-Abandonment w/ Ingrid Clayton

Adult Child

Andrea Ashley and Dr. Ingrid Clayton discuss fawning, a misunderstood trauma response that leads to self-abandonment. They explore its impact on identity and relationships.

InformativeEye-openingCompassionateAuthenticHealing

1:11:115 Nov 2025

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Breaking Free from Fawning: A Conversation with Dr. Ingrid Clayton

Episode Overview

  • Fawning is a survival mechanism often mistaken for people-pleasing.
  • Understanding fawning can reduce shame and offer new perspectives.
  • Self-abandonment affects personal identity and relationships.
  • Trauma-informed therapy is crucial for addressing fawn responses.
  • Fawning can manifest differently across various life contexts.
"Fawning isn't just people-pleasing; it's self-erasure in the name of survival."

What makes a recovery story truly inspiring? In this episode of Adult Child, Andrea Ashley sits down with Dr. Ingrid Clayton, a licensed clinical psychologist and author, to discuss the complexities of fawning—a trauma response often mistaken for people-pleasing. Clayton's insights are not your run-of-the-mill discussion; she brings depth to understanding how survival instincts can lead to self-abandonment. Through her personal journey and professional expertise, Clayton reveals how fawning can manifest in relationships, parenting, and even in one's own identity.

Her book, 'Fawning: Why the Need to Please Makes Us Lose Ourselves — and How to Find Our Way Back,' serves as a guide to reclaiming oneself from the shadows of trauma. With humour and candidness, the episode tackles how societal structures and childhood experiences shape our responses, making it a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand their behavioural patterns better. You'll find yourself questioning whether your own habits are rooted in a need to survive rather than thrive.

So, how do you navigate the delicate balance between self-preservation and self-expression? Tune in to explore this intriguing conversation and discover the keys to coming home to yourself.

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