Welcome to The Anti-Resolution Club Episode in The Secret Life of Therapists Podcast, where therapists Dr. Habiba Zaman and Kaylan Maloney ditch the pressure of New Year’s resolutions and choose something more human. Instead of goals that burn out by February, we explore the power of selecting one intentional word to guide your year across every part of life: relationships, work, mental health, boundaries, and self-trust. Through honest therapist conversations, real-life reflections, and practical insight, this podcast offers a grounded, compassionate way to approach growth without perfection, shame, or hustle. No fixing yourself, just focusing forward. Less pressure. More clarity. Real growth.

In this episode of Secret Life of Therapists, host Dr. Habiba Zaman explores the psychological journey of how we learn to love, from childhood attachment patterns to adult relational dynamics. Drawing on her clinical experience and research in developmental psychology, Dr. Zaman demystifies the emotional and cognitive processes that shape our capacity for intimacy, trust, and connection.

Through engaging storytelling and case-informed insights (anonymized for confidentiality), this episode examines:

• The roots of love in early attachment experiences and caregiver relationships
• How internal beliefs about self-worth influence the way we give and receive love
• Common barriers to healthy emotional connection, including fear of vulnerability, avoidance behaviors, and unresolved trauma
• Therapeutic practices that support healing and cultivate sustainable, meaningful relationships

Dr. Zaman also discusses actionable tools listeners can apply in their own lives, such as reflective self-inquiry, communication strategies, and mindful presence, to nurture deeper bonds with themselves and others.

Secret Life of Therapists invites you behind the scenes of therapeutic practice to illuminate the universal yet often hidden processes that shape human connection.