10. What to Do When Trauma Makes It Hard to Trust Your Partner — Even When You Know They Love You | Christopher Campanile
Have you ever felt unsafe or on edge in a relationship — even when you're with someone who truly loves you?
For trauma survivors, trust doesn’t always come naturally. Your nervous system stays stuck in survival mode, bracing for rejection, criticism, or abandonment — even in safe relationships.
In this episode, I sit down with my husband, Christopher Campanile, for a real, vulnerable conversation about why trauma makes it hard to trust… and how we slowly rewired our relationship for safety, connection, and ease.
You’ll hear how small, consistent actions — like whispering “It’s me” or saying “Smooches are coming” — helped us stop expecting the worst and start feeling truly secure with each other.
What You’ll Learn:
✅ Why trauma survivors struggle to trust, even in healthy relationships
✅ How survival patterns like Velcro Trust and Cactus Trust block connection
✅ The micro-moments that helped us feel safe, seen, and supported
✅ How to build trust after trauma — without needing grand gestures
✅ A simple phrase you can use today to help your partner or friend feel emotionally safe
If you’ve ever felt like you have to work for trust or constantly manage your relationships to avoid being hurt, this episode will show you how small shifts can create lasting connection.
✨ Want more conversations like this?
DM me on Instagram @DrAnnieCampanile and let me know if you'd love to hear Christopher join me for future episodes!
And if this episode resonated, share it with someone who’s working to rebuild trust after trauma — or tap those five stars and leave a quick review to help others find the show.
🛑 Watch for Next Week’s Episode!
Next week I'll be answering a listener's question about how to know when decisions are driven by fear. Because it's one thing to rush into action, and it's another to make decisions with clarity and confidence. So if you've ever made a decision that seemed right in the moment, but later left you fixing misunderstandings or wondering, make sure to hit subscribe so you don’t miss it!
Have a question you'd like answered on the show? Click here to send me a message.
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More Resources for You:
- Get The Empowered Feedback Toolkit for easy-to-follow, step-by-step guidance so you can speak clearly and confidently—especially during tough conversations.
- Explore Dr. Annie's Executive Coaching Program.
- Download your free guide: Trauma Survivors Empowerment Guide
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