Why You Keep Wanting People Who Are Emotionally Unavailable
From We Need To Talk with Dr. Darcy Sterling by Darcy Sterling
May 19, 2026 · 1h 6m · Season 3 · Episode 20
About this episode
This episode explores the reasons why individuals are drawn to emotionally unavailable partners and features insights from clinical psychologist Dr. Lindsay C. Gibson.
If people who feel distant, hard to read, or just out of reach keep pulling you in, this episode is for you. Not someone who is obviously unavailable. Someone compelling. Mysterious. Just available enough to keep you leaning in. If this is you: • You mistake mixed signals for chemistry • You keep explaining your needs better and hoping something will finally click • You do not see the cost clearly until you are already attached • Distance and inconsistency make you lean in harder, not less In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Lindsay C. Gibson, clinical psychologist and New York Times bestselling author of Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents . Because sometimes the pull feels strongest right where the information should be slowing you down. REFERENCES/RESOURCES www.alternativescounseling.com Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents How to Raise an Emotionally Mature Child: Your Blueprint to a Lifetime of Happiness and Success for Your Child CREDITS “We Need To Talk With Dr. Darcy Sterling” is a Sterling Standard Production. Editing and sound engineering by Bart Migal. Our theme music is by Trending…
People in this episode
Host: Dr. Darcy Sterling
Guest: Dr. Lindsay C. Gibson
Topics covered
- emotional unavailability
- relationships
- mixed signals
- attachment
- psychology
Keywords
- emotional unavailability
- relationships
- mixed signals
- attachment styles
- psychology
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents
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