David and hypnotherapist Helen Hart discuss how knowledge of our nervous system can help with our relationship. We are not broken, our emotional regulation system does exactly what it is meant to do! Firstly, exactly how do our childhood experiences inform our adult experiences? Understanding who we are drawn to as partners and calming our nervous system to calm the relationship. The topic of substance use was brought up as a way that some people try to manage their relationship.

Special guest Russell talks about his experience and challenges after being placed in more than 30 foster homes.

David facilitates in-depth discussion around how the foster system affected Russell’s adult relationships; positive and not so good.

David discusses how you form relationships when you are removed from your parents as an infant?

How do you recognise and break the cycle of abuse when you have grown up in a difficult environment with complex trauma?

Longer term impacts on trust and not understanding love.

What happens when you can't tell people what happened to you or how you feel.

How the body processes emotion and how to address the past

The difference between suppressing feelings and expressing feelings.

How do you forgive? How important is love for healing? How do you develop trust? How do you repair broken relationships?

David simplifies boundaries with the 4 golden rules of boundary setting. Discussion ensues around what is the difference between boundaries and limits? How important is it to know your partner’s boundaries? The team also discusses verbal boundaries vs non-verbal boundaries, sticking to what you say, silence as a boundary and how clear boundaries help support long-term relationships.