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Why Does My Mind Always Go to the Worst-Case Scenario?

September 15, 2026 · 1 h 15 min

Show notes

Much of the catastrophizing we experience is actually a result of protective parts that formed in our early childhood to keep us safe. You’ll learn how to come to the aid of these parts by first accessing your most capable, able adult self. Listen in for a compassionate guide on how to find lasting relief and step toward the thinking patterns you truly desire.

Episode Highlights: 

• [00:00] Introduction 
• [01:47] Focusing only on positive or negative
• [07:22] Why you may always assume the worst
• [15:46] Giving the vulnerable part safety from your adult self
• [21:28] Why traditional talk therapy isn’t enough
• [28:48] Accessing your adult self
• [33:38] The power of internal co-regulation 
• [40:32] Question 1 – How do I stop sabotaging my healthy relationship?
• [51:08] Question 2 – How do I manage fear and anxiety about my health?
• [57:51] Question 3 – How do I eradicate the shame I feel about my parts?

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Quotes:
“I can be with what is not okay, and I can still be okay. This can only happen when we are anchored in safety.” — Sarah Baldwin [0:06:56]

“When we have a protective part that is anticipating a dangerous future or catastrophizing about how things will go wrong, it is going to put us in a state of dysregulation.” — Sarah Baldwin [0:11:50]

“Your protective parts will do anything to ensure the dangers of the past don’t happen again.” — Sarah Baldwin [0:13:55]

“We believe thoughts when there is an affect attached to it.” — Sarah Baldwin [0:24:53]

“When I experience hard things as adult me, it will never, ever, ever be like the hard traumatic things I experienced as a child because there’s an adult here now. And that’s me. And that is the work that sets us free.” — Sarah Baldwin [0:37:39]

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