Codependency Support Group
Codependency is defined as someone who exhibits too much, and often inappropriate, caring for another person's struggles. A codependent person may try to change, or feel shame about their most private thoughts and feelings if they conflict with the other person's struggles. If you are on a journey towards self-love, this support group is for you. Join us and find others...
So I met with a therapist for the first time on Monday, seeking support in my recovery from codependency and relationship addiction. She was recommended by my marriage counselor. After speaking with her I felt really overwhelmed. She runs another recovery program and recommended I attend their meetings in addition to the ones I already attend. These expectations piled on top of the others I was feeling from the place where I take martial arts classes (my fun workout time), my family (my only sister is getting married), my husband (and our marriage counseling sessions), my educational program (studying for this big exam) and myself (doing well on the exam, reflecting and checking DS regularly etc) just pushed me back into my victim/child thinking. It took a couple days but I finally recognized the change in my thinking and that it was time to make some firm no's and re-insert my boundaries. It'll still take a few days to get those out there (and firmly placed in my mind) but it was good to learn that being overwhelmed will kick me into my victim thinking. Knowing that I had access to support online made a huge difference in helping me realize that I didn't have to participate in this other support group this therapist recommends. I have options and my recovery is mine. So in addition to learning something new about myself, I want to thank you. Thank you all so much for being here. I hope you all have a good day.
My understanding is that very many Therapist have both individual sessions along with group recovery meetings and it is the best of Therapist who do that.
If you just do not have the time to go to the group then you might try to make the time (or not), but if it is more-so that you just reject the idea of a group meeting then I would ask you to reconsider.
The dysfunctions of codependency and relationships come out in group meetings and that way the Therapist gets to see the problem in action which they can not do at an individual session.
It is a fact that we all act different in a group, and we feel different in a group, and the dysfunctions come out when dealing with other people so a group meeting brings out the dysfunctions for the Therapist to see.
It is your own decision of course.
Make time for you. You don't have to be overwhelmed if you don't want to be.
EMDGP7 and FreeSailing - thank you so much! I am uncomfortable sharing who I really am (like so many of us) and my husband is the first person outside my immediate family that I've really let in. Thus all these issues popping up now and not earlier in my life. Sharing here was my first baby attempt at opening up to people outside my family and I really appreciate your positive support. It's really helpful.