Foundations Counseling offers codependency counseling in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Windsor. Codependency is loosely defined as a relationship in which someone exhibits too much, and often inappropriate, caring for those who depend on them. Codependency counseling can help individuals fill their lives with healthy, meaningful relationships.
A “codependent” is one side of a relationship between mutually needy people. The “dependent,” or obviously needy party, may have emotional, physical, or financial difficulties, or addictions that they seem unable to overcome. The “codependent” party exhibits behavior that controls, makes excuses for, pities, and takes other actions to perpetuate the obviously needy party’s condition, because of his or her desire to be needed and fear of doing anything that would change the relationship.
Codependency can also be a set of maladaptive, compulsive behaviors learned by family members in order to survive in a family that is experiencing great emotional pain and stress caused by a family member’s alcoholism or other addiction, sexual or other abuse within the family, a family member’s chronic illness, or forces external to the family, such as poverty.
Symptoms of codependence are controlling behavior, distrust, perfectionism, avoidance of feelings, problems with intimacy, excessive caretaking, hypervigilance, or physical illness related to stress. Codependency is often accompanied by clinical depression, as the codependent person succumbs to feelings of frustration or sadness as a result of his or her inability to improve the situation.
Individuals who are codependent have a greater tendency to enter into relationships with people who are emotionally unavailable or needy. The codependent person tries to control a relationship without directly identifying and addressing his or her needs and desires. This invariably means that codependents set themselves up for continual dissatisfaction and lack of fulfillment. Codependents always feel that they are acting in another person’s best interest, making it difficult for them to see the controlling nature of their own behavior.
What You Can Expect with Codependency Counseling
Foundations Counseling offers therapy for codependency in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Windsor. With codependency counseling, you can learn how to more accurately value yourself, better meet your own needs, establish healthy relationship boundaries, and communicate your wants appropriately with your partner. We will also help you learn how to counteract the feelings of guilt and shame you may be experiencing. Our treatment program for codependency will assist you in living free from the burdens of others.
Set up a Free Consultation
If you or someone you know would benefit from codependency counseling or would like to speak with one of our marriage counselors, please contact Foundations Counseling in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Windsor to arrange a free consultation.