How to Feel Safe Being Vulnerable in Relationships

Do you want deeper connection, but still hold back because getting hurt feels too risky? You are not alone. Social anxiety can make vulnerability feel unsafe, especially in relationships. In this episode I talk with Dr. David Lake, psychotherapist and relationship expert, about why vulnerability feels so difficult, why fear of being hurt blocks true intimacy, and why social anxiety often magnifies the "I'm not good enough" belief. We also explore when vulnerability is helpful, when it is not, and how authentic feedback can help you feel safer being yourself. What you'll discover: 🔹 Why fear of being hurt blocks true intimacy 🔹 Why the "I'm not good enough" belief runs so deep 🔹 How criticism and conditional love feed self-doubt 🔹 Why vulnerability only works in the right context 🔹 Why "good enough" is healthier than trying to be perfect 💡 Quote from David: "It requires a lot of courage to be authentic and be your true self with another person." Start here: Free 7 Secrets to Social Confidence This short mini-course explains: • why social anxiety happens • why forcing exposure often backfires • how the fight-flight-freeze response creates anxiety symptoms • how tapping can help release the emotions and beliefs that trigger anxiety It's designed to help you understand what's actually driving social anxiety and give you a first experience with the tapping approach.

You can listen to How to Feel Safe Being Vulnerable in Relationships online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

How to Feel Safe Being Vulnerable in Relationships is an episode from Social Anxiety Solutions - your journey to social confidence! by Sebastiaan van der Schrier.

This episode is 35:18 long.

This episode was published on Apr 20, 2026.

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