I have worked with many people who have discovered through therapy that they have codependent thought and behavior patterns. Codependency can affect anyone and is characterized by excessive reliance on others for a sense of identity, self-worth, and emotional fulfillment. It often involves sacrificing one's own needs to meet the needs of others. Of course, this often leads to an inability to set appropriate boundaries, toxic relationships, and resentment.

If you are struggling with codependency, you probably:

1. Have a difficult time setting healthy and appropriate boundaries with others and may struggle with saying “no” when necessary for your own well-being.

2. Feel like you spend all of your time and energy trying to meet the needs of others at the expense of your own needs.

3. Feel like you have to “save” others from the consequences of their own actions.

4. Have feelings of low self-esteem and inadequacy when you can’t take care of others, solve their problems, or rescue them from the consequences of their own actions.

5. Often find yourself enabling negative behaviors in others because of your caretaking behaviors.

In therapy, we can work on helping you to identify and prioritize your own needs, identify things you can change and can’t change, set healthy boundaries with others, and have healthier relationships that don’t leave you drained and stressed. If you would like to discuss beginning therapy, please call or message 601-708-9558. I look forward to hearing from you!