In this thoughtful conversation with Dr. Natalie Jones on A Date with Darkness Podcast, Dr. Diane Poole Heller explores how our earliest caregiving experiences shape the way we connect, communicate, and cope—especially in adult relationships.
Diane outlines the hallmarks of avoidant, anxious, and disorganized attachment, explaining how these patterns emerge from early disruptions and how they can evolve over time. The conversation covers practical tips and clinical insights, including how co-regulation works, why touch is a powerful healing tool, and what it really takes to shift toward secure functioning—even in the context of trauma.
The episode also touches on rupture and repair, nervous system regulation, and how to navigate relationships with difficult or dysregulated family members. Whether you’re a therapist, a student of your own relational patterns, or someone supporting a partner through healing, this conversation offers grounded tools and hope for transformation.
Prefer to read the full conversation?
Host: Dr. Natalie Jones. PsyD, LPCC
Dr. Natalie Jones is a licensed psychotherapist, speaker, and corporate consultant. As owner of Lifetime Counseling and Consulting® and host of the “A Date With Darkness” podcast, she trains corporate leaders on healthy communication, treats survivors of narcissistic abuse and those with narcissistic traits, and serves courts as an expert interviewer of sexual-assault victims and offenders. She is committed to helping people and organizations build healthier relationships.
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