In the second episode of this two-part series, Dr. Andrew and Dr. Dave continue their thoughtful conversation about Childhood Emotional Neglect (CEN) and its impact on our emotional well-being.

Healing from childhood emotional neglect is a journey that takes time, patience, and intentional effort. It begins with learning to recognize and understand our emotions, giving ourselves permission to feel and validate our experiences, and developing healthier ways to care for our emotional needs. An important part of this process is establishing healthy boundaries that allow us to prioritize our own well-being while showing up more fully for the people in our lives. Therapy can also play a valuable role in supporting this journey, helping us build greater self-awareness, strengthen emotional health, and move toward healing.

Join Dr. Andrew and Dr. Dave for an insightful conversation about understanding our emotional worlds, reconnecting with our feelings, and taking meaningful steps toward healing from childhood emotional neglect.

In this first of a two-part conversation, Dr. Andrew and Dr. Dave explore Childhood Emotional Neglect (CEN), a term popularized by psychologist Dr. Jonice Webb in her book Running on Empty.

When we think about neglect, we often picture something obvious. But emotional neglect can be much harder to recognize. It can happen when caregivers repeatedly miss, dismiss, or fail to respond to a child’s emotional experiences.

Over time, this can affect how we understand and relate to our own emotions. Some people may experience emotional numbness, discomfort with difficult feelings, or a sense of emptiness even when everything on the outside seems to be going well.

In Part 1, Dr. Andrew and Dr. Dave break down what CEN is, what it can look like, and how it may impact us well into adulthood. This conversation sets the stage for Part 2, where they’ll explore an important question: How do we begin to heal from childhood emotional neglect?

Join us for this thoughtful conversation on understanding our emotional experiences and what it means to take good care.

In the second part of this two-part conversation, Dr. Andrew and Dr. Dave explore how shame develops from childhood into adulthood and how it can shape the way we see ourselves and connect with others.

Shame can be learned in many ways: from comments we hear when we make mistakes to the subtle messages and microaggressions we experience in our environments. Over time, these experiences can become internalized, influencing how we cope, communicate, and relate to ourselves and those around us.

Dr. Andrew and Dr. Dave discuss how shame can affect our relationships and how therapy, counselling, and self-compassion can help us challenge negative self-beliefs and begin to heal.

This thoughtful and hopeful conversation invites us to reflect on our own experiences with shame and consider how greater self-compassion can help us build healthier, more positive, and fulfilling relationships with ourselves and others.