In my work as a relationship counselor and sex therapist in Seattle, I’ve seen how difficult it can be to recognize when something that looks like affection is actually manipulation. That’s the confusing reality of love bombing—a relational pattern where someone uses intense praise, attention, or gestures to create fast emotional closeness, often before trust has had a chance to grow.
It’s a topic I care deeply about, and one I recently wrote about in detail for the Gottman Institute. If you or someone you love has ever felt swept up in a connection that later became confusing or painful, I invite you to read the full article here:
In that piece, I explore:
- What love bombing looks and feels like in real life
- The emotional arc many people go through afterward
- Why it’s not always intentional, and how healing begins
This isn’t just about labels or red flags...it’s about helping people rebuild trust in themselves and their instincts. If you’re curious, concerned, or just want to understand this dynamic better, I hope the article is a helpful resource!