Healing Childhood Trauma & Attachment Styles with Dr. Allie Bondanza

Allison Bondanza, Ph.D., ABPP is a Board-Certified Clinical Psychologist by training and specializes in the mental health and wellness of the Active Duty military and Veteran populations. Dr. Bondanza currently holds a private practice in Washington, D.C. where she provides individual treatment for a range of mental health concerns including anxiety, depression, occupational stress, women's health, and secure attachment in adult relationships.

Dr. Bondanza was a former staff psychologist at the Washington, D.C. Veterans Affairs Medical Center where she specialized in neuropsychology, anxiety disorders, military sexual trauma, and sleep disorders. Dr. Bondanza has specific training and expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and is certified in Cognitive Processing Therapy to treat PTSD. She received her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Columbia University and her Ph.D. from the University of Denver.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS:

  • PTSD & Grief research

  • How the brain makes sense of trauma

  • Dr. B’s journey of her father being diagnosed with terminal cancer at age 13

  • Anorexia as a coping mechanism for grief

  • How trauma affects one’s attachment style

  • Dr. B’s journey of healing anorexia & avoidant attachment

  • Attachment Theory

  • Secure & Insecure Attachment

  • Can your attachment styles change over time?

  • We keep attracting what needs to be healed and resolved until we heal that part of ourselves

  • Neuroscience and rumination

  • Switch app by Dr. Carolyn leaf

  • Codependency & attachment styles

  • The power in knowing your attachment style

  • Cultivating vulnerability in relationship

  • Providing hope to people who are worried they will be alone forever

  • Friendships as practice for a securely attached relationship

  • Dr. B’s self-care routine & switching it up constantly during the pandemic

  • Dr. B’s journey with Transcendental Meditation

Cami Wolff