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!
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, CAAre you drawn into the same kinds of patterns in relationships over and over? Do you give yourself away, with little left over for you? Do you find your relationships exciting at first, and then unfulfilling eventually? Do you find yourself in relationships with people who are abusive, narcissistic, addictive, or manipulative in some way? Do you like to have control, but wish someone else could take over for you? Do you feel hungry for love, but unsure how to get it? If so, please reach out.
— Katy Shaffer, Psychologist in Baltimore, MDA lot of times how we connect with others gets pathologized. The language of codependency is often stigmatizing. The work isn't to stop being "codependent," but rather about finding balance between being able to self-validate/regulate& recognizing when you need to lean on the support from others. I utilize the lens of "interdependency" to help clients recognize where their relational behaviors go into extremes and how they can find balance in their relationships.
— Colby Bruner, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Overland Park, KSIf you find yourself constantly prioritizing others' needs above your own, feeling an overwhelming need for approval, or struggling to establish healthy boundaries, I'm here to help. Together, we'll navigate the intricacies of codependency, uncover its underlying roots, and develop strategies to foster independence, self-care, and healthier relationships. Your journey toward greater self-awareness and empowerment starts here.
— Emmily Weldon, Counselor in Orlando, FLIt can be scary to take up space in the world- to advocate for oneself and demand respect for one's needs and desires. I help individuals first discover their personal wants, needs, and desires and then practice getting those things met.
— Gabby Jimmerson, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in , CAI focus on codependency as a cluster of habits (loneliness, resentment, self-sacrifice, self-negation) rather than necessarily as it appears within a dynamic with an addicted partner or loved one.
— Cara Blouin, Licensed Professional Counselor in Philadelphia, PAI think codependency can be misunderstood and more people struggle with it than you may think! Codependency can show up in the form of focusing much more on others needs than on your own, perfectionism, and working hard to feel worthy. You might struggle to set boundaries, overwork in your job to feel good enough, or try to manage your appearance and body size to avoid feeling unworthy. I help people like you build confidence, set boundaries, and let go of guilt.
— Ashley Hamm, Licensed Professional Counselor in Houston, TXDo you struggle with interpersonal boundaries either finding yourself with no boundaries getting hurt often or putting up walls and feeling the pain of isolation? Do you find that you hold resentment, have distorted/nonexistent spirituality, avoid reality (e.g. through addictions), or have a hard time with sustaining intimacy with others? I provide a safe, nurturing environment where we can gently explore these areas to create new experiences with oneself and one’s past.
— Addie Michlitsch, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Roseville, MNCodependency 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, Counselor in Tempe, AZI have helped clients work on codependency issues in regards to substance misuse personally or in their partner(s), working on creating clear boundaries, creating a sense of self and sense of independence, working on self-compassion and forgiveness.
— Erica Christensen, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in , CAModern (western) society has a warped view of love and romance that convinces most of us from an early age that codependency is synonymous with "love" leading to years - sometimes entire lifetimes - of anxiety, confusion, jealousy and emotional angst. I provide a safe, non-judgmental space within which clients vulnerably explore the discomforts that come with the recognition of the effects of codependency within their lives.
— Dylan Haas, Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Boise, IDCodependency 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, MDI help girls and women navigate their inner knowing within themselves. Through this awareness we look at areas and relationships within their lives where they are holding back their thoughts, beliefs, feelings and ideas from others to protect themselves and their relationships from rupture or conflict. We will work together to find ways that feel good and safe to express what is true and heal harmful codependent patterns.
— Rachael Rosenberg, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Los altos, CAI work to empower my clients so that they are able to realize their own wants and needs, and to be able to stand on their own and live the life they deserve.
— Jessica Snyder, Therapist in Natrona Heights, PAI have enjoyed being able to work with people on their issues of codependency towards healthy relationships. I will be an advocate for your self-discovery and independent growth, so that you can find yourself with greater insight into your patterns, rather than wait for someone else to tell you what is "wrong with you" and then "fix you." We will discuss independence of identity, worth, self-respect, and boundaries.
— Matthew Taylor, Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New Smyrna Beach, FLCodependency 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, WACodependency 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, Counselor in Tempe, AZI 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, CAAre 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