The meeting began with Julie diving into the topic of triggers within relationships, offering a fresh perspective on understanding them. Triggers, often related to fear, prompt nervous system responses and can manifest as blaming or shaming oneself or others. Blame and shame serve as protective mechanisms to avoid facing deeper emotional wounds. Anxious attachment tends toward blaming, while avoidant attachment leans toward self-shaming. Disorganized attachment may involve a mix of both. Securely attached individuals can often navigate triggers more flexibly. The work involves acknowledging and processing emotions, challenging negative self-beliefs, grieving areas of powerlessness, and asserting control where possible. The primary emotions triggered in relationships are sadness, fear, and primary anger, distinct from reactive anger.

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