128. Connection vs. Attachment with Dr. Janine O'Brien

Coming up on this episode of Flirtations, we’re answering one of the biggest questions in dating! Are we actually connecting — or just attaching?

Joining us Dr. Janine O’Brien, a psychologist, educator, and trauma-informed relationship specialist, who helps people untangle their attachment patterns and build more secure, meaningful relationships.

We’ll unpack how to spot the difference between lovebombing and genuine interest, why we sometimes confuse intensity with intimacy, and the ways our attachment wounds show up in dating.

We’ll also talk about the marathon first date, what it looks like when we rush through dating, and how to ease dating anxiety so connection comes first.

Finally, we’ll explore what it means to develop self-trust, why we don’t need to hold everyone accountable, and how we can spot emotional availability within others and within ourselves.

If you’ve ever found yourself anxiously replaying texts, feel like you keep making mistakes, are ready to just give up, or curious about dating again, this episode is for you.

It’s for everyone, basically!

Alright Flirties, let’s do this, and meet Dr. Janine!

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About our guest: Dr. Janine O'Brien is a licensed clinical psychologist, practice owner, and relationship coach. She specializes in working with millennials navigating anxiety, people-pleasing, relationship challenges, tricky family dynamics, modern dating, attachment wounds and relational trauma. Her approach blends depth and relatability, helping clients untangle the roots of their struggles while building the clarity and confidence to create the kind of connections they actually want. At the heart of her work is the belief that everyone deserves to feel secure and confident in their relationships, including the one they have with themselves.

In addition to her therapy practice, Dr. O'Brien is currently developing a course that blends self-paced learning, group coaching, and community support designed to help insecurely attached individuals move toward secure embodiment in their dating and relationships. She has also been featured in outlets such as Huffpost, Very Well Mind, and Bustle, and is passionate about making psychology and mental health resources accessible and holistic.

You can connect with Dr. O'Brien on her website and Instagram.

About your host: Benjamin is a flirt and dating coach sharing his love of flirting and BFE - big flirt energy - with the world! A lifelong introvert and socially anxious member of society, Benjamin now helps singles and daters alike flirt with more confidence, clarity, and fun!

As the flirt is all about connection, Benjamin helps the flirt community (the Flirties!) date from a place that allows the value of connection in all forms - platonic, romantic, and with the self - to take center stage.

Ultimately, this practice of connection helps flirters and daters alike create stronger relationships, transcend limiting beliefs, and develop an unwavering love for the self.

His work has been featured in Fortune, NBC News, The Huffington Post, Men's Health, and Yoga Journal.

You can connect with Benjamin on Instagram, TikTok, watch on YouTube, and stream the Flirtations Flirtcast everywhere you listen to podcasts (like right here!), and find out more about working together 1:1 here.