Understanding Avoidant Attachment

Online Course


This topic is near and dear to my heart. My journey with attachment work has been so interesting in that I’ve witnessed VERY strong opinions in the mainstream media about the styles—especially the avoidant style. As a clinician and human, I want to be mindful about the type of media we consume (even if it’s popular and highly recommended) and continue to explore ways we can think critically about our experiences in the world.

There is a lot of information out there about avoiding people with a primary avoidant attachment style.

That’s not what I’m here to tell you.

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The fact is that people with the avoidant attachment style are told their adaptation is “bad” or needs to be “fixed” in order for them to be lovable. I think this happens because our brains are wired to connect with each other and many of us don’t know how to experience the avoidant style without feeling hurt or judgemental. And underneath all of this, we truly don’t understand what is happening for people with this style.

I think it’s time we learned.

In my personal and professional experience, learning how to show up in relationships and shift them in a way that results in long-lasting positive change has been about changing my perspective and diving beneath the surface; it has been about recognizing the patterns and dynamics that are happening that we aren’t talking about in the moment. I think this is especially true for the avoidant attachment adaptation. We probably all have some suspicion that this is going on (“they were fine a minute ago, now all of a sudden they are shut down and I feel like I’ve lost them.”), but then what? What do we do from there?

I highly recommend this course for anyone who wants to gain a better, deeper understanding of the Avoidant/Dismissive Attachment style, either for themselves or in the context of a relationship. Elizabeth’s work has helped me so much and this course takes her previous work in this area to a new level. I’ve read many books and articles on the topic of Avoidant Attachment, and the primary difference in Elizabeth’s work is her compassion for all attachment styles, and how they effect how we show up in relationships. Her genuine understanding of the avoidant attachment style—and the unique challenges it can present in romantic/loving relationships—is really apparent in this course, and she gently guides you to a deeper understanding of how this attachment style develops in the first place, and gives you the tools to move toward a new level of connectedness. It has truly been eye-opening and affirming for me to do this course and this work, and I feel so much better equipped in this journey. If you are avoidant in your style, or are partnered with an avoidant (like I am) then this course will leave you with a calmer, more patient, more compassionate outlook as you continue on the journey. Thank you so much, Elizabeth! I cannot recommend this course highly enough, and I’m genuinely excited at the growth, healing, and change that this course will inspire, both in my relationship and hopefully many others.
— SM

I want to support you in deeply understanding the avoidant attachment style so you can heal yourself, your relationships, and your family line. The work you do now changes everything from here on out.

And if you are someone with this style, I want you to know I’ve got your back. This course will support you in having a deeper understanding of your emotional triggers, communicating your needs with others, and creating relationships that feel safe and comfortable to you. You deserve to have that.

I had the honor of taking Elizabeth’s avoidant attachment course and found it helpful and inspiring. Elizabeth is a colleague who I deeply respect and it is obvious that she has put in the work with understanding and recognizing attachment patterns and healing processes. As someone who struggles with the more avoidant piece of this, I really appreciated the language and compassion as well as the desire to destigmatize something that many consider to be negative. I would highly recommend this course to those who struggle with the avoidant style as well as those who want to learn more about it in general. Thanks so much for creating this!
— PC

this course will:

  • Explain the origins of avoidant attachment, which is critical to shifting our perspective on this adaptation

  • Explain what is required to heal avoidant attachment triggers + responses

  • Explore how partners, family, and friends can support people with this style to increase communication and openness

  • Provide concrete tools and suggestions to manage moments of disconnection in your relationships in a way that will promote long-term health, intimacy, and connection

  • Provide guidance for reducing fight/flight/freeze/fear responses

  • Include a meditation for soothing avoidant attachment responses and increase your ability to connect in a healthy, grounded way

This course is for you if:

  • You recognize you have some of the avoidant adaptation and are curious about strategies to increase your connection with others

  • You are in a committed relationship with an avoidant partner and you want to increase your understanding of the avoidant adaptation so you can show up in a more supportive way

  • You were raised by caregivers who you are able to identify as having the avoidant adaptation and you would like to heal from your experiences and/or prevent those patterns from being passed along in your family

  • You are interested in learning more about attachment patterns and ways to increase connection in relationships, families, and communities

The course is self-guided, which means you pay for the course up front and then have lifetime access to it! You watch the videos and complete the worksheets at your own pace and on your own time.

I want this to be as accessible as possible for people who are interested in doing this work! This course is gender- and sexuality-inclusive and uses gender-neutral language throughout.

If you are part of a group that has been historically marginalized, are interested in purchasing this course, and have financial hardship, please contact me so we can discuss options together.

This course is hosted on the Teachable platform, which allows you to complete it using your phone, tablet, or computer. By clicking the button below, you will be redirected to my Teachable "classroom" and prompted to register for the course!

NEW! Interested in both the Anxious Attachment Online Course AND the Understanding Avoidant Attachment Online Course? You can now purchase a course bundle and save money (woo hoo!). Learn more about the Anxious & Avoidant Online Course Bundle here!

Interested in this course but can’t commit financially just yet? Add yourself to my email list for exclusive discounts on courses (and $10 off just for signing up)!

Disclaimer: Please note, this educational course is not a substitute for mental health therapy. If you are experiencing significant mental health challenges, please seek out an appropriate clinician to support you. Psychology Today and Open Path Collective are great places to start!