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The Dr. Sarah Hensley Show

The Dr. Sarah Hensley Show

Fearful Avoidant + Dismissive Avoidant: The Most Painful Relationship Dynamic | E11

Sep 22, 2026 · 53m

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On this episode

About this episode

Why are fearful-avoidant and dismissive-avoidant partners so magnetically attracted to each other—only to become trapped in criticism, withdrawal, resentment, and disconnection? In this episode, Dr. Sarah Hensley breaks down the fearful-avoidant/dismissive-avoidant relationship dynamic and explains how couples can interrupt the painful push-pull cycle before it destroys their relationship. You’ll learn: -Why fearful and dismissive avoidants are intensely attracted to each other -How the honeymoon phase turns into a pursue-withdraw conflict cycle -Why dismissive avoidants shut down—and why that activates fearful avoidants -How criticism, emotional flooding, defensiveness, and unresolved…