In this episode of Safe Space, we explore a vulnerable listener question: How do I let someone in again after having my heart broken?

Through the lens of emotional healing and self-trust, we unpack why heartbreak can leave us feeling guarded—and why that’s completely valid. From understanding the nervous system’s response to emotional pain, to the protective walls we unconsciously build, this conversation guides listeners through the often-overlooked process of softening back into intimacy after betrayal or loss.

We discuss why healing isn't about rushing into something new, but about creating safety within ourselves first. You'll learn how to spot self-protective patterns, rebuild inner trust, and take aligned emotional risks—all without abandoning yourself again.

Whether you’re navigating a breakup, hesitant to open your heart, or rebuilding your relationship with yourself, this episode offers both compassion and clarity on the path forward.

Timestamps:

00:00 – 00:18 Welcome to Safe Space

00:18 – 01:06 When Your Heart Feels Closed After Hurt

01:06 – 02:08 How We Protect Ourselves from Being Hurt Again

02:08 – 04:02 What It Really Means to Rebuild Trust in Yourself

04:02 – 05:00 Why Risk Is Necessary for Real Connection

05:00 – End – Final Reflections and an Invitation to Soften

Stay Connected: Got a question or story for the show? Submit it here: bit.ly/safespace-questions

Follow Laura on Instagram for daily reflections and behind-the-scenes: @lauracaruso.therapy

More episodes, resources, and therapy tools: www.lauracaruso.com

In this episode of Safe Space, we dive into a listener’s vulnerable question: Why was I okay with being treated poorly by my ex?
Through the lens of relational psychology and childhood conditioning, we explore why so many of us tolerate mistreatment in relationships—often without realizing it. From family dynamics and subconscious beliefs to misconceptions about love and passion, we uncover the hidden roots of these patterns.

Listeners will gain insight into how early family systems shape our expectations of love, why emotional neglect can be mistaken for passion, and how self-blame keeps us stuck. Most importantly, we discuss what it actually means to do "the work"—building self-awareness, reframing beliefs, and moving toward relationships rooted in respect and emotional safety.

Whether you're reflecting on a painful breakup or working to break toxic patterns, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and practical steps forward.

00:00 – 00:17 Welcome to Safe Space
00:17 – 00:32 Why Do We Tolerate Poor Treatment?
00:32 – 01:09 Understanding What Healthy Love Actually Looks Like
01:09 – 01:41 The Illusion of Love, Passion, and Chaos
01:41 – 03:22 How Family Systems Shape Relationship Expectations
03:22 – 04:06 The Trap of Self-Blame and Shame
04:06 – 05:27 Subconscious Beliefs That Keep Us Stuck
05:27 – 06:11 What Past Relationships Can Teach Us
06:11 – End Reframing, Healing, and Moving Forward

• You’ve ever excused poor behavior in the name of love

• You grew up in a family where emotional connection was inconsistent

• You're doing the inner work to create healthier relationships

• You're ready to stop repeating the same painful patterns

Stay Connected:
📩 Got a question or a story you'd like explored on the podcast? Submit it here: bit.ly/safespace-questions
📱 Follow Laura on Instagram for daily insights and behind-the-scenes content: @lauracaruso.therapy
🔗 More episodes, free resources, and therapy tools: www.lauracaruso.com

TimestampsThis episode is for you if...

In this episode of Safe Space, we unpack how self-esteem and relationship status often intertwine, especially for those with anxious or insecure attachment styles. Through the lens of attachment theory, we explore how early childhood experiences shape our relational patterns and why losing a relationship can feel like losing a part of ourselves.

Listeners will learn how anxious and insecure attachment styles shape self-esteem in relationships, why childhood experiences influence adult relational patterns, and the emotional impact of losing a relationship on identity and self-worth. We also discuss practical ways to maintain individuality and self-awareness within partnerships, and how to recognize and shift unhelpful attachment patterns for healthier connections.

Whether you're navigating a breakup, reflecting on your attachment style, or simply aiming to foster healthier relationships, this episode offers tools for understanding yourself more deeply and building resilience beyond your relationship status.

Timestamps:

00:00 – 00:13 Introduction: How Relationships Shape Self-Esteem

00:13 – 00:47 Understanding Anxious & Insecure Attachment Styles

00:47 – 01:58 How Childhood Experiences Influence Adult Attachment

01:58 – 02:55 The Impact of Relationships on Our Sense of Self

02:55 – 03:45 Why Maintaining Individuality Matters

03:45 – 05:00 A Personal Story: Navigating Attachment in Real Life

05:00 – 05:34 Recognizing and Shifting Unhealthy Patterns

05:34 – 06:10 Conclusion: Building Self-Awareness & Resilience

This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to untangle their self-worth from their relationship status and cultivate secure, self-affirming connections.

Stay Connected: Have a question or a topic you'd love explored? Submit it for a future episode. Follow us on Instagram for relationship insights and behind-the-scenes content: @lauracaruso.therapy

In this episode of Safe Space, we explore the cornerstone of long-term relational health: being emotionally available, attuned, and responsive to your partner’s needs. Drawing on research from the Gottman Institute, we debunk common myths about what sustains love and dive into the everyday moments that matter most.

Listeners will learn how emotional responsiveness—feeling seen, heard, and supported—builds secure attachment and lasting intimacy. We break down what it means to show up for your partner, how to strengthen connection through small yet powerful acts, and how to navigate the challenges of emotional unavailability.

Whether you’re in a long-term partnership or looking to build one, this episode offers practical tools for deepening emotional closeness and redefining what love looks like beyond the surface.

Timestamps:

00:00 – 00:26 Introduction: The Secret to Long-Lasting Relationships

00:26 – 01:15 Debunking Myths About What Keeps Love Alive

01:15 – 02:11 What Emotional Responsiveness Really Looks Like

02:11 – 03:57 Practical Examples of Attunement in Action

03:57 – 05:22 Why Emotional Availability Can Feel Hard

05:22 – 06:30 Small Moments, Big Impact: Building Intimacy Over Time

06:30 – 07:02 Conclusion: Choosing to Show Up, Every Day

This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to move past surface-level connection and invest in the kind of love that truly lasts.

Stay Connected: Have a question or a topic you’d love explored? Submit it for a future episode! Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and relationship tips: @lauracaruso.therapy

In this episode of Safe Space, we unpack the emotional weight and timing of saying “I love you” in a relationship. Why does this simple phrase trigger so much anxiety? And how do we know when we actually mean it—versus when we’re swept up in infatuation or fear of losing someone?

Through the lens of attachment theory, emotional intelligence, and relationship pacing, we explore why some people rush to say “I love you” while others hold back, and how that choice can shape the emotional trajectory of a relationship.

Listeners will gain insight into how to discern between genuine emotional connection and fleeting intensity, how to communicate love with clarity, and how to honor their own timeline—without giving into pressure or fear.

Whether you’ve said it too soon, too late, or are wondering if you should say it at all, this episode offers a mindful approach to one of the most powerful declarations in dating and love.

Timestamps:
00:00 – 00:20 Introduction: The Power of 'I Love You'
00:20 – 00:53 The Anxiety of Saying It First
00:53 – 01:49 Love vs. Infatuation: How to Tell the Difference
01:49 – 03:30 Why We Rush (and What’s Driving That Urge)
03:30 – 04:46 Attachment Styles & Timing the Moment Right
04:46 – 05:30 Conclusion: Slowing Down to Build Real Connection

Stay Connected:
Have a question or topic you’d like to hear next? Submit it for a future episode!
Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and more: @lauracaruso.therapy

In this episode, we dive into the psychological and neurochemical patterns that fuel the chase in romantic relationships. Why do we feel more drawn to the unavailable? What role does our brain chemistry—particularly dopamine—play in our pursuit of connection?

We explore how the brain’s reward system reinforces attachment patterns, especially for those with insecure attachment or low self-worth. The conversation unpacks how fleeting romantic pursuits can become a cycle of seeking external validation, often rooted in fear of intimacy or self-sabotage.

Listeners will learn strategies for shifting their mindset, regulating emotional responses, and redefining what healthy connection looks like. By practicing mindful dating and exploring emotional triggers, we can begin to break toxic patterns and build genuine, lasting relationships.

Timestamps:

00:00 – 00:45 Understanding the Chase: The Role of Neurochemistry

00:45 – 02:29 The Brain’s Reward System & Attachment Styles

02:29 – 03:54 The Illusion of Effort & Fear of Intimacy

03:54 – 05:06 Self-Worth & the Trap of External Validation

05:06 – 06:33 Breaking the Cycle: Mindset Shifts & Emotional Regulation

06:33 – 07:09 Self-Sabotage & Fear of Commitment

07:09 – 08:30 Next Steps: Shifting Patterns & Defining Your Ideal Partner

This episode is a powerful reflection for anyone who finds themselves chasing love that feels just out of reach. Tune in to understand the deeper patterns at play—and how to change them.

Stay Connected: Have a question or a topic you'd love explored? Submit it for a future episode! Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and more: @lauracaruso.therapy

In this episode, Laura answers a listener’s question How can I support someone close who just escaped domestic violence? Leaving an abusive relationship is a complex, ongoing process that requires safety, patience, and deep understanding.

Laura explains the survival state many survivors experience, including hypervigilance, PTSD symptoms, and difficulties trusting others. She offers compassionate, practical advice on how to provide support, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing safety, respecting the survivor’s timeline, and avoiding judgment.

She also shares actionable steps to help survivors access resources, navigate therapy, and find emotional support through community and relational trauma groups. Laura discusses her personal experience as a survivor and how it shaped her journey into therapy and creating Safe Space.

Timestamps:

00:00 - 00:45 Introduction & Episode Overview

00:45 - 02:00 Understanding the Nervous System’s Response to Abuse

02:00 - 03:30 Why Safety Comes Before Healing

03:30 - 05:00 Respecting Their Timeline & Decisions

05:00 - 06:30 How to Offer Emotional & Practical Support

06:30 - 08:00 Navigating Therapy & Mental Health Resources

08:00 - 09:30 The Power of Support Groups & Community Healing

09:30 - 11:00 Laura’s Personal Journey & Why Safe Space Exists

11:00 - 12:30 Final Thoughts & Encouragement

Tune in for an important conversation on supporting survivors with compassion, patience, and actionable strategies.

Stay Connected: Submit your questions for future episodes. Join Laura’s Safe Space broadcast channel on Instagram for the exclusive submission link every Sunday night. Follow Laura on Instagram: @lauracaruso.therapy.

In this episode, Laura explores one of the most common concerns in relationships—changes in sex drive and differences in libido. Whether it’s a shift in desire over time or a partner newly identifying as asexual, these changes can feel confusing and even create tension.

Laura discusses how to approach these conversations with curiosity rather than fear, offering practical guidance on validating your partner, reframing the issue, and understanding how stress, mental health, and past experiences impact intimacy.

She breaks down the difference between spontaneous and responsive desire, explains how the nervous system influences sex drive, and shares ways to redefine intimacy in a way that works for both partners.

Timestamps:

00:00 - 00:45 Introduction & Episode Overview

00:45 - 02:15 Why Changes in Libido Cause Relationship Tension

02:15 - 04:00 The Importance of Validation & Reframing the Issue

04:00 - 06:00 How Stress, Hormones, and Mental Health Impact Desire

06:00 - 07:30 Understanding Spontaneous vs. Responsive Desire

07:30 - 09:10 The Role of Nervous System Regulation in Intimacy

09:10 - 11:00 Navigating Conversations About Asexuality in Relationships

11:00 - 13:00 Redefining Intimacy & Removing Performance Pressure

13:00 - 15:00 Compromise, Compatibility, and Finding a Way Forward

Tune in for an insightful conversation on fostering deeper connection, communication, and understanding in relationships.

Stay Connected:

• Submit your questions for future episodes: Join Laura’sSafe Space broadcast channel on Instagram for the exclusive submission link every Sunday night.

• Follow Laura on Instagram:⁠⁠@lauracaruso.therapy⁠⁠

Featured Resources:

If you’re ready to reprogram your attachment style and build healthier, more secure relationships, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠Wired for Connection⁠⁠⁠⁠ (W4C)—Laura’s self-customizable course. Whether you’re single, dating, or in a long-term relationship, W4C offers practical tools to transform your relationships from the inside out.

Learn more and start your journey here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Wired for Connection⁠⁠⁠⁠. Use code SAFESPACE for 10% off your purchase.

What’s Next:

Next week, Laura answers another listener question, diving deeper into the realities of modern relationships, self-awareness, and personal growth. Don’t forget to submit your question on Sunday and tune in for more insights on love and connection.