Codependency is an unhealthy form of dependency, but it’s not dependency in and of itself that’s the problem. There are healthy forms of dependency, otherwise known as interdependency, that make relationships stronger. But distinguishing codependency from interdependency can be tricky — especially if you haven’t experienced many healthy relationships yourself. What is interdependency? […]
Have others minimized, shamed, or invalidated your feelings? Having your feelings diminished, ignored, or rejected is a painful experience for all of us – but even more so if you’re a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) or survivor of abuse or other trauma. It’s important to have a sense of belonging and to be a […]
In my last post, I shared 15 Signs You Have a Toxic Parent. Awareness is a great place to begin, but if you have toxic parents, what you really want to know is how to cope with their crazy-making. How are your toxic parents impacting your life? Toxic parents can make your life […]
No one has a perfect relationship with their parents or in-laws. If you’re lucky you have a positive and healthy relationship with your parents most of the time. Unfortunately, for some people – those with toxic parents – this isn’t possible. No matter how hard you try, you can’t have a mutually satisfying […]
Do you have difficulty prioritizing your needs, setting boundaries, and consistently practicing self-care? These are struggles for many people who have codependent traits. We tend to put our needs last, often sacrificing our own well-being to make other people happy or avoid conflict. And when we do consider our own needs, set boundaries, and […]
What are boundaries? All relationships need boundaries. A boundary is an imaginary line that separates me from you. They separate your physical space, your feelings, needs, and responsibilities from others. Your boundaries also tell other people how they can treat you – what’s acceptable and what isn’t. Without boundaries, people may take advantage of you […]
Codependency is often misunderstood. It’s not just a label to slap on the spouse of every alcoholic. It encompasses a wide-range of behavior and thought patterns that cause people distress to varying degrees. I hope this article will help clear up some of the misconceptions about codependency and help you to understand codependency better. […]
Losing your sense of self Do you seem to get swallowed up in relationships? Does your sense of self disappear when you’re in a relationship? This “loss of self” happens, whether you’ve been married for decades or are newly dating, when the other person or relationship becomes your identity. You become all about the other person. […]
It isn’t easy to set boundaries with toxic people, but it’s something we can all learn to do and when we do, it’s empowering. Boundaries are a way to take care of ourselves. When we set boundaries, we’re less angry and resentful because our needs are getting met. Boundaries make our expectations clear, […]
Introducing 5 New Holiday Tip Sheets from Psychotherapist and Codependency Expert Sharon Martin, LCSW Are you dreading the holidays because of difficult people in your life? Do you tend to get stressed, sad, or overwhelmed during December? Do you want to set a positive tone for the holiday season? Would it be […]