Are You Struggling with Codependency in Your Relationships?

Do you find yourself consistently putting others' needs before your own, often at the expense of your well-being? Are you constantly seeking approval and validation from your partner, family, or friends? Perhaps you feel an overwhelming sense of responsibility for the happiness of those around you, to the point where you neglect your own needs and desires. You might be feeling exhausted, unappreciated, resentful, and trapped in a cycle of unhealthy relationships. You may find yourself seeking pity from others because that is what made you feel loved within your family of origin.

Understanding Codependency

Codependency is a behavioral condition that affects an individual’s ability to have a healthy, mutually satisfying relationship. Often stemming from trauma or dysfunctional dynamics within one’s family of origin, it involves patterns of enabling, controlling, and excessive dependence on another person for emotional stability or psychological support. 

Pia Mellody, world-renowned author and codependency expert, equates codependency with developmental immaturity. She explains that when a child’s innate needs for nurturance are not met by their caregivers, the child learns to adapt their needs, expectations, and behaviors in order to survive. These very survival skills become interwoven into how the child learns to feel about themselves, their relationships, and the world in which they live. As they grow up, they carry these survival skills, which often create dysfunction in their relationships, into adulthood. 

Codependency can manifest in various ways, with core issues ranging from low self-esteem and continually seeking external validation to difficulty setting boundaries or poor impulse control. Or one might struggle with an excessive need to be needed or exhibit needy, clingy behavior. Someone struggling with codependency might feel they lack a solid sense of Self or identity. They have a tendency to live in the extremes in all areas of their lives.

Constantly Seeking Approval:

• You may find yourself frequently seeking validation and approval from others, feeling that your worth is tied to how much you can help or please them.

• This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem when you don’t receive the affirmation you seek.

  Resentment and Frustration:

• Over time, the imbalance in your relationships can lead to deep-seated resentment and frustration.

• You may feel unappreciated and taken advantage of, which further affects your self-esteem and mental health.

• Conflict avoidance may result in resentment building and then manifesting as passive-aggressive behavior instead of direct communication. 

Empathetic and Professional Support:

• Our experienced therapists understand the complexities of codependency and provide a non-judgmental space for you to explore your feelings and experiences.

• We tailor our approach to meet your specific needs and help you develop healthier ways of relating to others.

What Codependency Might Feel Like

Difficulty Setting Boundaries:

• Setting and maintaining personal boundaries can be extremely challenging. You might feel guilty or anxious about saying “no” or asserting your own needs, worried that the other person might be angry with you or no longer like you. 

• This often leads to overcommitting, feeling overwhelmed, and then often underdelivering.

• Alternatively, you might struggle with containment boundaries, unable to contain your thoughts, feelings, or behavior, leaving you feeling out of control.

Sound Familiar?

Why Choose Our Codependency Therapy Services?

At Embodied Wellness & Recovery, our experienced clinicians specialize in helping individuals break free from the grips of codependency and reclaim their sense of Self. Our compassionate and professional therapists are dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment where you can explore your patterns and work towards healthier relationships with yourself and others.

Evidence-Based Techniques:

• We use a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Psychodynamic, Attachment-Based Therapy,  Pia Mellody’s Post Induction Therapy and Inner Child Work, Somatic Therapy, and EMDR in addition to other evidence-based approaches to help you recognize and change codependent behaviors.

• Our methods are designed to empower you with the skills and confidence needed to set boundaries, build self-esteem, communicate directly and assertively, and foster healthy relationships.

Personalized Treatment Plans:

• We work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific challenges and goals.

• Whether you’re looking to improve your self-esteem, improve boundaries, or gain clarity on your relationship goals, our experienced team at Embodied Wellness & Recovery is here to support you.

Emotional Exhaustion:

• Without adequate emotional boundaries, taking on the emotional burdens of others can leave you feeling stressed, drained, burnt out, or even resentful.

• You might neglect your own emotional health while trying to fix or manage someone else’s problems.

Fear of Rejection and Abandonment:

• The fear of being alone or abandoned can drive you to stay in unhealthy relationships.

• This fear can also lead to staying silent or suppressing your feelings to avoid conflict.