Healing Childhood Trauma

A lot of people assume not being ready for therapy means being in denial or lacking self-awareness. That’s usually not the case. In this episode, I’m talking about something I see all the time in early conversations with potential clients. The moment where I can tell someone isn’t quite ready for therapy yet. And it has nothing to do with how much they’ve reflected or how well they understand thei...

Many millennials are waking up to something previous generations rarely had language for. Childhood trauma. Emotional neglect. Attachment wounds. In this episode, I talk about what it means to be part of the first generation in many families actively trying to understand and heal these patterns. For a lot of people, this realisation comes with mixed emotions. Greater awareness can bring clarity. B...

Burnout isn’t just feeling tired—it shows up in ways that quietly sabotage work, relationships, and daily life. In this episode, I sit down with clinical psychologist and friend Dr Claire Plumbly to explore how burnout presents in real life, share stories from clients, and reflect on our own experiences. We cover: • Common signs of burnout you might be missing • How burnout impacts relationships,...

If you’ve ever been told you have an anxious attachment style this episode is going to make you pause. In this conversation, I explore whether what we call anxious attachment is sometimes a nervous system responding to emotional inconsistency, unpredictability, or lack of safety in a relationship. We talk about: What anxious attachment actually is Why women are often labelled “anxious” too quickly...

In this episode, I’m breaking down 5 types of emotionally immature behaviour that high-functioning women often tolerate, excuse or overcompensate for. We cover: • What emotional immaturity actually looks like in adult relationships  • The defensive partner who turns every conversation into an attack  • Gaslighting and why it slowly erodes your self-trust  • The minimiser who makes your feelings fe...

In this episode, I talk about the subtle, everyday ways attachment patterns show up in high functioning women. We explore: • Why replying quickly can be about regulation, not politeness  • Why resting can feel uncomfortable, even when you’re exhausted  • Why asking for help feels harder than just doing it yourself Attachment isn’t only romantic love. It shows up in how you move through your day, h...

In this episode, we dive into high-functioning anxiety —what it really looks like, why it’s so common among high-achieving women, and how childhood experiences can secretly shape the way your nervous system responds to stress. We talk about:  . How high-functioning anxiety shows up in day-to-day life  . The hidden costs of always “being fine”  . Why your nervous system can keep you in overdrive ev...

If you've ever wondered what avoidant attachment looks like in women, this episode answers that and more.  This looks at the root cause of avoidant attachment, starting with childhood and how it can impact relationships, parenting, friendships and work.  Avoidant attachment doesn't always come with self awareness, but this episode looks at what happens when you pair self awareness in hig...

And we're back after a mini break with a brand new episode.  In this episode, I’m speaking to high-functioning women who look fine on the outside but feel tense, switched on, and disconnected inside. You might be self-aware and insightful, yet still struggle to feel settled in your body or safe in your nervous system. We explore why understanding your patterns isn’t always enough, and how man...

Christmas has a way of bringing old family dynamics straight back to the surface. Even if you’ve done the work. Even if you’re self-aware. Even if you usually cope well. In this replay of one of my most listened-to episodes, I talk through practical, realistic ways to think about boundaries with family at Christmas. Especially when the dynamics are emotionally immature, critical, or draining. This...

You like to follow wellness practices but you’re not sure which ones are helpful for nervous system regulation and which ones to leave behind.  There are so many choices that often tap into your deepest fears and insecurities and even with the best of intentions, can make you feel worse.  This episode explores how you can tell the difference between what’s working and what isn’t and how to listen...

Have you ever wondered what it means to regulate your nervous system?  In this episode you'll learn more about how nervous system regulation doesn't need to be complicated and a starting a simple exercise can help you to feel calmer and relieve anxiety.  This is a supportive practice but it’s not a substitute for therapy.  Lizandra is a MBACP Registered Psychotherapist based in the UK wh...

In this episode, I talk about Seasonal Affective Disorder and the subtle ways it can creep into your mood, motivation and day-to-day energy.  You'll hear me cover:  - What to do when you feel yourself withdrawing or shutting off -Simple daily habits that help -When to reach out for extra support If winter always feels harder and you're tired of pushing through on your own. this is the ki...

Have you ever wondered if you’re the toxic one?  Want to know the four toxic behaviours that happen in relationships that stem from an insecure attachment?  In this episode, psychotherapist Lizandra explores the patterns that most people get stuck in when dealing with conflict. It’s the everyday behaviours that cause disconnection in the relationships that matter most.  Ready to break your unhealt...

Therapy is changing. 2026 is going to look very different for anyone who’s already on a healing journey. This episode breaks down what those changes actually mean for you. We talk about the rise of real connection in therapy. More relational work. More collective healing. Less of the “fix yourself alone” mindset that kept so many women stuck in burnout. We also get honest about AI. It’s growing fa...

The internet is talking about Is having a boyfriend embarrassing now? Read the Article  In this episode, Lizandra, a psychotherapist in private practice at New Frame Therapy talks about the decision to stop working with couples.  It relates to the changes happening in relationships and why it's so hard to heal from attachment trauma and form trusting secure attachments in relationships.  Conn...

Abandonment doesn’t always look like what we think it does. It isn’t just about someone leaving or not choosing you.  In this episode, I talk about the less obvious ways abandonment shows up. The ones that start in childhood and shape how we connect (or disconnect) as adults. You’ll hear about: The hidden forms of abandonment that often go unnoticed — like over-functioning or caretaking. How emoti...

  Being called “needy” in a relationship can feel shaming but what if being needy isn’t the problem? In this episode, I unpack why we end up feeling anxious, clingy, or desperate for reassurance in relationships. We’ll explore how childhood experiences and attachment patterns shape our needs and why trying to suppress them only backfires. You’ll learn: Why needing connection is human — and when it...

Lizandra is a BACP Registered Psychotherapist and Relationship Therapist based in the UK who works with adults healing from childhood trauma and high functioning anxiety. When most people think about healing, they focus on what they should be doing — journaling, setting boundaries, or practicing self-care. But just as important is what you need to stop doing. In this episode, I’m breaking down fiv...

If you’ve ever wondered why you’re working so hard on yourself but still feel stuck, this episode will help you see what needs to shift — and it’s probably not what you expect. Many people who identify as empaths are actually carrying codependent patterns that started in childhood.  In this episode, we explore how to tell the difference between being codependent and being an empath and why that di...

 In this episode, I explore emotional avoidance — what it looks like, why it shows up in women with high-functioning anxiety , and how it often ties back to childhood trauma . We also dive into how disconnection from your body keeps emotions stuck , and practical ways to notice and gently process your feelings without overwhelm.  You’ll learn how to: Recognise the subtle signs of emotional avoidan...

Have you ever felt like therapy just isn’t working ? Maybe you’ve tried different therapists, stuck with sessions for a while, and still found yourself wondering why you’re not moving forward. If that’s you, you’re not alone—and it doesn’t mean you’re beyond help. In this episode, I talk about: Why you can feel stuck in therapy  What you need to do alongside therapy to make the most of it  The com...

We hear a lot about what insecure attachment looks like… but not enough about what secure attachment actually feels like in real life. In this episode, I’m breaking down five things people with secure attachment tend to do — and no, it’s not about being perfectly regulated or never getting triggered. In fact, some of what makes someone feel emotionally safe might surprise you. We’ll explore: Why s...

This episode is the clarity around boundaries you need to stop feeling confused so you can show up as more secure and have your best relationships and a good work/life balance.  This deep dive on boundary setting is trauma informed from the perspective of  registered psychotherapist Lizandra Leigertwood MA MBACP Themes covered in the episode: My own imperfect approach to setting boundaries in life...

**Summer Offer** Book your single session Attachment Reset Learn more or book here. You can be incredibly self-aware. Journaling regularly, unpacking your childhood, recognising your triggers and still feel panicked when someone pulls away.  Still overthink the last message. Still feel like you’re too much, or not enough. This episode is a reminder that insight alone isn’t the same as healing.  An...