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Therapy Chat

461: Understanding Codependency with Michelle Farris

Dec 16, 2024
Michelle Farris, a licensed psychotherapist and anger management specialist, dives into the complexities of codependency and its effects on relationships. She shares personal reflections on recognizing unhealthy patterns and prioritizing self-care, especially during the holiday season. The discussion highlights the differences between anger management classes and domestic violence intervention. Farris also explores the challenges of parenting with codependency, urging parents to foster independence while maintaining their own well-being.
40:21

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Understanding codependency begins with recognizing its origins in emotionally unavailable families, impacting individual relationships and self-worth.
  • Healing from codependency requires shifting focus towards self-acceptance and building solid self-trust through therapy and supportive communities.

Deep dives

Understanding Codependency

Codependency is characterized as a pattern of behaviors where individuals prioritize others at the expense of their own needs. This dynamic often results in one-sided relationships, where validation and approval come solely from external sources rather than one's own self-worth. The phenomenon manifests in two main styles: the people pleaser, who seeks to avoid conflict and appease others, and the more controlling type, who may exert judgment and attempt to manage the lives of those around them. It is vital to recognize how these behaviors can deeply impact personal relationships and one’s sense of self.

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