Thriving after Complex Trauma

Zoë Ross
  • 4.5 (2)
  • Mental Health
  • Monthly

Helping you understand complex trauma and learn how to thrive despite your experiences and live a wonderful life.

Episodes

  1. Oct 27

    Fearful Avoidant Attachment and Complex Trauma

    Fearful avoidant attachment (sometimes called disorganised attachment) is a very understandable adaptation when we have experienced complex trauma, but it can be confusing. It's the attachment pattern I see most in my clinic and so in this episode I seek to help you understand it more. I look at: the key characteristics of fearful avoidant attachment adaptationshow fearful avoidant adaptations develop through childhood experienceshow it often shows up in our close adult (romantic) relationships common conflicting inner experiences of people with fearful avoidant attachment patterswhy healthy relationships matter so much in our healingpractical ways to start to heal fearful avoidant attachment adaptations and moving towards more secure ways of relating in our closest relationships. Guest podcast episodes mentioned: ⁠BBC Complex Trauma podcast - dissociation⁠ BBC Complex Trauma podcast - healthy vs unhealthy relationships

    Fearful Avoidant Attachment and Complex Trauma

  2. Mar 15

    Attachment and Complex Trauma - an introduction

    How do our early relationships shape the way we connect, trust, and feel safe with others? In this first episode of a four-part series on attachment and complex trauma, we explore how our earliest caregiving experiences shape our attachment system and influence the way we relate to others throughout life. Attachment is a biological system designed to keep us safe through connection. But when early relationships involve inconsistency, neglect, or trauma, our attachment system adapts in ways that can make adult relationships feel confusing, overwhelming, or unsafe. In this episode, we explore what attachment really means from a psychological perspective, how complex trauma impacts our nervous system and attachment patterns, and the four main attachment styles: secure, anxious, dismissive avoidant, and fearful-avoidant (disorganised). Understanding these patterns can help you make sense of your emotional responses, relationship dynamics, and the ways your nervous system reacts to closeness, conflict, and separation. Most importantly, our attachment patterns are not fixed. With awareness, supportive relationships, and small steps toward healing, it is possible to develop greater security and connection in adulthood. In This Episode What attachment is and why it matters How childhood relationships shape our attachment maps The link between attachment and the nervous system Secure attachment explained Anxious attachment and fear of abandonment Avoidant attachment and emotional distance Fearful-avoidant (disorganised) attachment and complex trauma Why attachment styles and adaptations are not permanent The concept of earned secure attachment Resources Mentioned: My guest appearance on the BBC Sounds Complex Podcast with Kimberley Wilson talking about NarcissismHow We Feel emotional awareness app Episode 2: Nervous system responses and complex traumaEpisode 3: How complex trauma develops in childhoodEpisode 5: Healthy relationships after complex traumaA note for listeners: Topics related to complex trauma, attachment and relationships can sometimes be difficult. Please listen gently and take a pause if you need to.

    Attachment and Complex Trauma - an introduction

  3. 11/26/2025

    Healthy Relationships After Complex Trauma

    Complex trauma tends to impact our relationships with ourselves and others. In this episode Zoë explores: why positive, healthy relationships are powerful for healing from complex traumawhat good relationships look likewhat are healthy relationship characteristics and skills what to look for in healthy, safe others who we can build positive relationships with. practical ways to start building positive, safe, healthy relationships How we feel app https://howwefeel.org/

    Healthy Relationships After Complex Trauma

  4. 11/04/2025

    Complex Trauma from Abusive Adult Relationships

    This episode is for you if you've left an abusive romantic relationship and are struggling with difficult symptoms of complex trauma. In this episode Zoë explores how complex trauma can develop from abusive adult relationships. She discusses: the signs of an abusive relationshipthe typical progression of a relationship with an abusive personthe impact on us especially our attachment and nervous systems and how complex trauma developswhat makes us vulnerable to these relationships and how to start to address that practical tips to start your recoverythe power of safe, healthy relationships for our healing

    Complex Trauma from Abusive Adult Relationships

  5. 06/13/2025

    Childhood and Complex Trauma: Episode 3

    In this episode I focus on childhood and complex trauma. I discuss the important impact our childhood experiences can have on our relationship to ourselves, others and the world as a whole. I also explore healthy relationships are so important for us all and why the origins of complex trauma usually lie in childhood as this is where we learn our template for relating. I talk about what children need from their parents and caregivers to thrive, the impact of neglect and abuse in childhood and how you can start to recover if you experienced complex trauma in childhood.  Episode 3 resources Feelings wheel 'Name it to Tame it' ⁠The Still Face Experiment Video  ⁠Excellent, free, evidence-based parenting support from the Anna Freud Centre⁠

    Childhood and Complex Trauma: Episode 3

  6. 05/09/2025

    The Impact of Complex Trauma

    In this episode I cover more about what complex trauma is and the impact it has on our brains, minds and bodies. I also discuss more about the common symptoms and challenges faced by people who have experienced complex trauma and an overview of how it can develop from childhood and adulthood traumatic experiences.   You can find a transcript of the episode on my website: https://www.zoeross.com/podcast/episode-2-the-impact-of-complex-trauma/ Tips on dealing with Flashbacks https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd-and-complex-ptsd/self-care/ https://pete-walker.com/13StepsManageFlashbacks.htm NHS Self-help guide for complex trauma https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mental-health/mental-health-self-help-guides/ptsd-and-cptsd-self-help-guide/

    The Impact of Complex Trauma

  7. 04/17/2025

    Welcome to the Thriving After Complex Trauma Podcast

    This first episode introduces Zoë and the podcast, giving you an overview of Complex Trauma.

    Welcome to the Thriving After Complex Trauma Podcast
  • 7 Episodes

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4.5
out of 5
2 Ratings

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Helping you understand complex trauma and learn how to thrive despite your experiences and live a wonderful life.

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