Changing old patterns
When addiction affects a family, the focus is often on the person using drugs or alcohol. But behind the scenes, loved ones can slip into unhealthy patterns that are harder to see. One of the most common — and most misunderstood — is codependency. Codependency happens when a person’s sense of identity, worth, or wellbeing …
Continue reading “The Hidden Signs of Codependency in Families Affected by Addiction”
“When I was a kid, I used to get hit all the time. In public places—restaurants, anywhere—if I spilled a glass of water or made a small mistake, my dad would grab my head and dig his knuckles into my forehead or slap me. I never understood it: why would a father feel so embarrassed …
Continue reading “How Our Childhood Experiences Shape Us as Adults”
When we think about control in relationships, it’s easy to imagine the loud, obvious kind – jealousy, demands, or strict rules. But control can also show up in quieter, more subtle ways. For people who identify as codependent, the idea of being “controlling” can feel surprising, even uncomfortable. After all, codependents are often seen as …
Continue reading “How Codependency Can Quietly Control a Relationship”
When I support clients in therapy, one of the most powerful approaches I use is inner child work. Many people who come to me with struggles around trauma, addiction, or codependency often feel stuck in old patterns that no longer serve them. To help untangle these patterns, I draw on Transactional Analysis (TA), a therapeutic …
When we experience attachment trauma in childhood, it shapes the way we see ourselves, others, and the world. We develop negative core beliefs that become the lens through which we view everything. How Negative Core Beliefs Form If you grew up being told you were “too sensitive,” you may have learned to suppress your feelings. …
When we arrive in the world, we are pure potential — curious, open, and ready to connect. Psychologists sometimes call this the blank slate (or tabula rasa). We have no beliefs, no set personality, and no pre-written story. Then life begins to write on that slate. The family we’re born into, the culture that surrounds …
Continue reading “We’re Born a Blank Slate – How Life Shapes Who We Become”
When I first began my own recovery from childhood trauma, one truth hit me harder than anything else — if I wanted to heal, I had to develop self-awareness. But becoming aware is not the soft, floaty thing Instagram quotes make it out to be. Awareness meant looking at some very uncomfortable truths about myself: …
When navigating the complexities of relationships—especially those touched by trauma, addiction, or emotional neglect—it can be hard to tell the difference between limerence and codependency. Both can feel intense, all-consuming, and deeply emotional, but they stem from very different roots. In this blog, we’ll explore the difference between limerence and codependency, how they show up …
Have you ever felt, deep down, that something is wrong with you—even if you can’t quite explain why? Maybe you blame yourself for things that weren’t your fault. Maybe you struggle to accept love or believe you deserve good things. Maybe no matter how hard you try, that nagging sense of “I’m bad” won’t go …
When life feels chaotic, overwhelming, or emotionally intense, we often hear the advice to “stay grounded.” But what does that really mean—and why is it so important, especially for people healing from trauma, addiction, or codependent relationships? In this blog, we’ll explore the meaning of being grounded, why it matters for emotional wellbeing, and how …