Codependency

Codependency, sometimes referred to as “relationship addiction," describes sacrificing one’s personal needs to try to meet the needs of others. Although it is often associated with romantic relationships, codependency can be experienced in all types of close relationships, including with family and friendships.  Someone who is codependent has an extreme focus outside themselves. Their thoughts and actions revolve around other people, such as a spouse or relative or they build their identity on helping or “saving” other people. Codependents typically experience feelings of low self-esteem, anxiety and insecurity in these relationships and may also experience perfectionism and control issues. Codependent symptoms can worsen if left untreated. If you are worried that you might be codependent, reach out to one of TherapyDen’s codependency experts today!

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Codependency is often tied to the relationships that we have with addicts in our lives. Codependency is often defined as behaviors that enable behaviors we wish to see the end of but it often comes from a place of love, care and concern for others. The problem is that love, care and concern can result in giving too much to others. My goal in helping clients who struggle with codependency is to help them establish healthy boundaries so they can be supportive without overwhelming themselves.

— Aaron Bachler, Licensed Professional Counselor in Tempe, AZ

If you are concerned about a loved one’s substance abuse problem, I am here for you as well. Informed by lived experience and proven addiction treatment, I offer individual and family therapy to help you protect yourself, prevent enabling your loved one, and guide you both to the necessary resources for treatment and recovery. My goal is to help you both heal together.

— Jesse Smith, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
 

Are you the one who always takes care of everything? Have you had to do things for yourself most of your life? "Codependency" is a big word that doesn't have to involve substance abuse. Ironically, its most common subjects describe themselves as "independent." If thinking about someone else's problems occupies more of your time than you'd like, let's talk.

— Kathryn Gates, Marriage & Family Therapist in Austin, TX

Conflict most frequently surfaces when one partner begins to define their identity outside of the relationship which is a necessary and healthy transition. However, this can feel threatening when codependency is a prominent element in the relationship. I work with couples to develop strategies to increase their sense of safety within the relationship and empower them to further develop their autonomy and sense of self within the relationship.

— Elizabeth Bryant, Licensed Professional Counselor in Atlanta, GA
 

I have 5 years of experience assisting clients from various backgrounds and cultures to holistically heal and sustain recovery from codependency, including working in the context of Step programs.

— La Tanya Wallace, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in San Diego, CA

Codependency is not negative. In fact is it a survival response. Codependency is often a push-pull feeling like, "I hate you, don't leave me." We can get caught in unhappy relational cycles because our brains have been wired to connect to others in this way. In therapy we work on address attachment wounds and rewiring neural pathways through practices like boundaries and thought restructuring.

— Meredith Garreau, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in ,
 

Is it challenging for you to say "No" to your partner, parent, boss or co-workers? Do you find yourself wondering if you are helping too much, or giving too much of yourself, your independence or your personal power away? The art of managing your personal boundaries in a way that supports you and your relationships in a healthy and authentic way is part of the ongoing work of growing into a fuller, more realized version of yourself.

— Nathan Michael, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Berkeley, CA

Codependency refers to a relationship dynamic in which one person has an unhealthy need to be needed and thus loses their sense of self by trying to "fix" the other person who may have addiction or mental health issues. Many people struggle with setting personal boundaries and healthy communication. Healing codependent relationship patterns requires learning how to value your own thoughts, needs, and feelings and practice assertive communication.

— Stacey Hellman, Clinical Social Worker in Ellicott City, MD
 

I help clients set and maintain boundaries to establish healthy interdependence in relationships.

— Kirsten Cannon, Counselor in Memphis, TN

Have you been feeling anxious, depressed, or find that you have a hard time saying no to people? Do you find that you often end up feeling like you need to help or fix a loved one's problems? Do you struggle with boundaries, people pleasing and unbalanced relationships? You don't have to do this alone. Having a therapist that's experienced in codependency treatment will support you in addressing underlying issues that have been keeping you stuck.

— Jennifer Leupp, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Long Beach, CA
 

I practice the Healing Our Core Issues (HOCI) model, a developmental and relational trauma therapy stemming from the work of Pia Mellody’s Post-Induction Therapy (PIT). In this model, you will learn about what you have experienced & develop the language to verbalize your reality, learn how to show up for & reparent the under-developed parts of yourself in a compassionate mindful practice, & learn the lifelong skills to cultivate healthy loving acceptance in relationship to yourself and others.

— Morgen Simpson, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Bloomington, MN

When you give so much of yourself to others, it can feel like you lose parts of yourself in the process You might find it difficult to set boundaries or voice your true inner feelings. Together, you can learn to recognize and honor your inner voice, trust your intuition, and integrate the different parts of yourself enabling you to live life more fully and authentic to who you are.

— Lindsay Anderson, Professional Counselor Associate in , OR
 

Codependency is often tied to the relationships that we have with addicts in our lives. Codependency is often defined as behaviors that enable behaviors we wish to see the end of but it often comes from a place of love, care and concern for others. The problem is that love, care and concern can result in giving too much to others. My goal in helping clients who struggle with codependency is to help them establish healthy boundaries so they can be supportive without overwhelming themselves.

— Aaron Bachler, Licensed Professional Counselor in Tempe, AZ

Codependency means so much more than enabling with someone you love and today this idea has expanded to include adults who may or may not have lived with an addict. Codependency can more accurately be defined as the tendency to put others needs before your own; accommodating to others to such a degree that you tend to discount or ignore your own feelings, desires and basic needs.

— Gary Alexander, Therapist in Seattle, WA
 

Jordan helps clients move from painful and draining codependence to a nourishing balance of inter- and independence. Knowledgeable in both 12-step and other recovery networks, Jordan works with her clients to find appropriate support while exploring the root cause of codependency.

— Jordan Dobrowski, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Chicago, IL

If you have trouble with needing to externally focus on other and have a hard time focusing on and caring for yourself, I can help. I have worked with many individuals to help them to reconnect with their wants, needs and learn to keep the focus on themselves.

— Celine Redfield, Marriage & Family Therapist in Portland, OR
 

I am trained in and utilize Pia Mellody's "Developmental Immaturity" model of codependency treatment, known as Post Induction Therapy. https://www.themeadows.com/workshops/post-induction-therapy-pit/

— Aly Dearborn, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Los Angeles, CA

Feel like the world is too much on your own? Leaning to heavy on others and struggling to establish boundaries? Do you need someone to hold you accountable and help you break free of toxic relationship patterns? Let me help you carve out a healthy path that feels right to you.

— Andrew Carini, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Tarpon Springs, FL
 

It's hard to fault someone for being compassionate, caring or kind. Often, others prey or take advantage of our kindness and giving spirit. Unknowingly, we give away our power and feel helpless. Learn how to regain your sense of self-respect, security, and independence. I utilize CBT and EMDR therapy to rewire the brain. When we change our thoughts, it changes how we feel, thus altering our actions. Through the therapy process, we find our true identity.

— Barbara Beck, Marriage & Family Therapist in Leawood, KS