Our Services / Codependency

What is codependency?

Codependency is a mental health condition and behavior that may pass down from one generation to another due to learned behavior patterns or genetics. 

Codependency can hinder your ability to have mutually satisfying and healthy interpersonal relationships. It’s sometimes referred to as relationship addiction and can lead to being in an abusive or destructive relationship.

Codependent relationships are often one-sided, as one person is usually a caregiver, highly functional, and helpful, while the codependent person depends on their partner, parent, or even a sibling to take care of them. A codependent person might have a disability, drug or alcohol addiction, or be unemployed and need financial assistance. 

The caregiver, or enabler, in the relationship might be doing more harm than good by allowing a codependent person to stall making helpful lifestyle changes. Enablers may continue with their current lifestyle due to low self-esteem or an extreme need to please others.

What are the symptoms of codependency?

The common symptoms of codependency include:

• Having a mental health disorder
• Substance abuse
• Lack of employment 
• Not being able to function alone
• Emotional immaturity

The giver in a codependent relationship is usually overly responsible and rescues or takes over the obligations and problems of the codependent person in the relationship. 

What are the risk factors of codependency?

While the cause of codependency isn’t always clear, people who struggle with the condition are often raised in dysfunctional family settings. They may have a codependent parent or family member struggling with a mental illness or addiction. 

Other risk factors for codependency include childhood trauma, anxiety about relationships, lack of self-confidence, and substance abuse. However, anyone can succumb to unhealthy relationship patterns when involved with a partner who has a mental health condition.

How does my provider diagnose codependency?

To diagnose codependency, Alvis reviews your mental health history and completes a comprehensive evaluation by asking questions about your lifestyle habits, behaviors, thoughts, mood, relationship patterns, emotions, and more. Then, he develops a personalized treatment to help you overcome negative behaviors and build healthier interpersonal relationships. 

How is codependency treated?

Alvis uses various psychotherapy methods for treating codependency. He’s trained in the interpersonal process approach, wellness components, attachment theory, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), family and systems theory, and many others.

Alvis finds the source of problematic behavior patterns, which are often rooted in childhood issues. Your treatment may include education, individualized counseling, group counseling, couples therapy, or family counseling sessions to help you rediscover your identity and eliminate destructive behaviors.

Alvis meets with you weekly or as needed in the office or virtually from the comfort of your home. He follows up with you to ensure your treatment is effective and you can thrive in your environment, at work or school, and in healthy interpersonal relationships.

To schedule an appointment with Alvis Duncan, LMHC, for codependency, call his office or use the online booking feature today.