As an Addict, How Can You Move Past Your Defensiveness to Truly Connect With Your Spouse?

In this episode, Mark and Steve respond to a PBSE listener's sincere inquiry about HOW to move through his defensiveness in response to his wife's legitimate trauma triggers. Here's his message and question to PBSE—
 
 I am a sex and love addict, I have found that I perceive my life in negative defensive ways. When my wife pulls away from me for mental safety I perceive it as her wanting to abandon me. How do I repair that? I don’t want to continue being so defensive. I understand where my defensiveness came from in the enmeshed life I lived with my trauma filled mom.
 My wife’s defense mechanism is omission of information and mental bullying, overtaking conversations or dominating situations. I have never been able to trust in my life due to my moms training from our enmeshment and her traumas I took on. How do I get ahead of this and start trusting my wife in healthy ways; knowing her defense mechanisms….?

 
 Learn more about Mark and Steve's new online program—"Dare to Connect!" You have live access to Mark and Steve three times a week--addicts, spouses and couples! Visit—daretoconnectnow.com
 
 Find out more about Steve Moore at: Ascension Counseling

Learn more about Mark Kastleman at: Reclaim Counseling Services
 
 Want to learn more about how to move out of "toxic sex" in a marriage relationship and into "True Intimacy"?—https://www.reclaimcounselingservices.com/true-intimacy-vs-sex-in-marriage