The Lemon Tree Coaching
Welcome to The Lemon Tree Coaching Podcast—where emotional depth meets grounded psychology. Hosted by Dr. Allison Sucamele, this podcast is a sanctuary for anyone ready to do the inner work, face their shadow, and cultivate a life that feels authentic, aligned, and alive.
Each episode explores the psychology behind emotions, relationships, nervous system healing, and self-awareness. Whether you're navigating heartbreak, burnout, betrayal, people-pleasing, or the desire for deeper meaning, you'll find thoughtful reflections, symbolic storytelling, and powerful insights to help you bloom—one truth at a time.
Grab a cup of tea, tune in, and come home to yourself.
Follow along on Instagram @thelemontreecoaching and explore free resources on Teachers Pay Teachers at The Lemon Tree by AKS.
The Lemon Tree Coaching
# 134 - When the Protector Becomes the Harmer: A Psychological Exploration
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In this episode, we step into a paradox that is as painful as it is common: why the person who once protected you—the one who guided you, sheltered you, and maybe even saved you—can sometimes become the very person who causes the deepest harm.
At first glance, this contradiction feels impossible to reconcile. But through the lens of psychology—attachment theory, family systems, trauma bonding, and defense mechanisms—the picture becomes clearer. Drawing on insights from John Bowlby, Judith Herman, Bessel van der Kolk, Brené Brown, and Carl Jung, we’ll explore how protection can transform into control, how love can be tangled with fear, and how the very bonds meant to keep us safe can turn into sources of wounding.
This conversation isn’t about easy answers, but about giving language to complex experiences—and opening a pathway toward healing. Together, we’ll talk about reclaiming your right to safety, setting boundaries, and redefining what protection means when it is rooted in compassion rather than control.
🛡 Domestic Violence Hotlines
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 | thehotline.org
- TTY (Deaf/Hard of Hearing): 1-800-787-3224
- Text: START to 88788
- State Coalitions Directory (local hotlines): justice.gov/ovw/resources-for-survivors
🧠 Mental Health & Crisis Lines
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial or text 988 | 988lifeline.org
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 | crisistextline.org
- NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 | nami.org/helpline
- Mental Health Hotline: 866-903-3787 | mentalhealthhotline.org
- SAMHSA Treatment Locator: samhsa.gov
- United Way 211 (local resources): Dial 211 | 211.org
🌿 Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and reflective purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy. If you are struggling, please reach out for professional help. In the U.S., you can call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. To find a therapist, visit psychologytoday.com
or therapyden.com
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