Coping with Fear of Abandonment: Gentle Strategies for Healing Attachment Wounds

Fear of abandonment is a common and painful experience for many women who have been in toxic or emotionally abusive relationships. This fear can show up in many ways, such as worrying that people will leave, needing constant reassurance, withdrawing to avoid rejection, or testing whether someone will stay.

This fear often stems from attachment wounds. If love felt unpredictable or unsafe in the past, you may have learned to expect abandonment or loss as inevitable. The fear may feel overwhelming at times, even when the people in your life are supportive and consistent.

There are gentle ways to cope with fear of abandonment. Self-soothing practices such as deep breathing, grounding, and compassionate self-talk can help calm the nervous system when fear is triggered. Journaling about your feelings can create space between you and the fear, allowing you to observe it instead of being consumed by it. Building trust in small steps with safe and consistent people can also help ease the intensity of the fear.

Healing attachment wounds takes time, and it is important to approach this process with patience and compassion. With support, it is possible to move toward secure and balanced connections where love feels steady and safe.

If you would like support in working through fears of abandonment and healing attachment wounds, I offer both online therapy across Ontario and in-person sessions in Burlington. You can book a consultation here: https://guidingyou.janeapp.com.

The information shared in this blog is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care. Reading this does not create a therapist–client relationship. If you are experiencing distress or need support, please reach out to a qualified mental health professional.

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