Conquering Codependency

Family Dynamics

Why Parents Are Shocked When an Adult Child Goes No Contact

Sharon Martin, DSW, LCSW on September 3, 2026

Why do some parents feel blindsided by estrangement? Sometimes they truly miss the signs. Other times, “I have no idea why” becomes a way to avoid accountability.

Why do some parents feel blindsided by estrangement? Sometimes they truly miss the signs. Other times, “I have no idea why” becomes a way to avoid accountability.

Assertiveness

Stop Putting Yourself Last

Sharon Martin, DSW, LCSW on August 5, 2026

Putting yourself first isn't selfish. Learn how to value yourself, speak up for your needs, and practice better self-care.

Putting yourself first isn't selfish. Learn how to value yourself, speak up for your needs, and practice better self-care.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Why It's Hard to Ask for What You Need

Sharon Martin, DSW, LCSW on July 15, 2026

Early childhood experiences and dysfunctional family dynamics can make it hard to ask for what you need—even as an adult. Here's how you can begin to speak up about your needs.

Early childhood experiences and dysfunctional family dynamics can make it hard to ask for what you need—even as an adult. Here's how you can begin to speak up about your needs.

Family Dynamics

The Family Scapegoat Is Often the Truth-Teller

Sharon Martin, DSW, LCSW on June 3, 2026

If you were the family scapegoat, you may have been blamed for seeing the dysfunction that the rest of your family denied. This is both painful and a reflection of your strengths.

If you were the family scapegoat, you may have been blamed for seeing the dysfunction that the rest of your family denied. This is both painful and a reflection of your strengths.

Perfectionism

Why Self-Care Feels Wrong When You’re a Perfectionist

Sharon Martin, DSW, LCSW on May 11, 2026

Are you a high-achiever who struggles to rest, even when you’re exhausted? Perfectionism may be the reason. It makes us feel guilty for having normal human needs.

Are you a high-achiever who struggles to rest, even when you’re exhausted? Perfectionism may be the reason. It makes us feel guilty for having normal human needs.

Gaslighting

How to Rebuild Self-Trust After Betrayal and Gaslighting

Sharon Martin, DSW, LCSW on April 29, 2026

Betrayal and gaslighting erode self-trust. Learn how it gets damaged and steps you can take to reconnect with yourself, validate your feelings, and trust your own judgment.

Betrayal and gaslighting erode self-trust. Learn how it gets damaged and steps you can take to reconnect with yourself, validate your feelings, and trust your own judgment.

Highly Sensitive Person

Why Highly Sensitive People Feel Compelled to Manage Others’ Feelings

Sharon Martin, DSW, LCSW on April 7, 2026

If you absorb others’ emotions and feel responsible for fixing them, your sensitivity may be driving a rescuer pattern that’s leaving you exhausted and resentful.

If you absorb others’ emotions and feel responsible for fixing them, your sensitivity may be driving a rescuer pattern that’s leaving you exhausted and resentful.

People-Pleasing

Why Highly Sensitive People Overgive

Sharon Martin, DSW, LCSW on March 1, 2026

If you’re highly sensitive and grew up with difficult parents, caring can turn into overgiving and overfunctioning. Here's how to start setting healthier limits.

If you’re highly sensitive and grew up with difficult parents, caring can turn into overgiving and overfunctioning. Here's how to start setting healthier limits.

Relationships

How to Heal Without Closure

Sharon Martin, DSW, LCSW on February 14, 2026

Healing after an emotionally abusive relationship is hard, especially without closure. Learn how to reclaim your peace and move forward on your own terms.

Healing after an emotionally abusive relationship is hard, especially without closure. Learn how to reclaim your peace and move forward on your own terms.

Loneliness

Feeling Lonely? How to Build Connection and Belonging

Sharon Martin, DSW, LCSW on January 21, 2026

Loneliness isn’t just about being alone. Find out what's at the root of your loneliness and how to start building meaningful connections.

Loneliness isn’t just about being alone. Find out what's at the root of your loneliness and how to start building meaningful connections.

Narcissism

Coping With Narcissistic Relatives at the Holidays

Sharon Martin, DSW, LCSW on December 9, 2025

Holidays with difficult relatives can feel overwhelming. Use these strategies to set boundaries, stay calm, and plan for a holiday that supports your well-being.

Holidays with difficult relatives can feel overwhelming. Use these strategies to set boundaries, stay calm, and plan for a holiday that supports your well-being.

Emotion Regulation

Managing Emotional Triggers During the Holidays

Sharon Martin, DSW, LCSW on November 15, 2025

Feeling tense about the upcoming holidays? Learn how to spot and manage holiday triggers so you can protect your peace and stay grounded.

Feeling tense about the upcoming holidays? Learn how to spot and manage holiday triggers so you can protect your peace and stay grounded.

Boundaries

Set Boundaries That Transform Enmeshed Relationships

Sharon Martin, DSW, LCSW on October 23, 2025

Feeling overwhelmed in close relationships? Learn how to set boundaries, reclaim your sense of self, and strengthen your independence.

Feeling overwhelmed in close relationships? Learn how to set boundaries, reclaim your sense of self, and strengthen your independence.

Perfectionism

Adult Children and the Pressure to Be Perfect

Sharon Martin, DSW, LCSW on September 5, 2025

Many adult children develop perfectionism to cope with childhood dysfunction. Learn how these patterns form—and what you can do to break free.

Many adult children develop perfectionism to cope with childhood dysfunction. Learn how these patterns form—and what you can do to break free.

Trauma

Estrangement as a Trauma-Informed Choice

Sharon Martin, DSW, LCSW on August 21, 2025

Understanding estrangement as a trauma-informed choice shifts the focus from judgment to compassion for those protecting themselves from family abuse.

Understanding estrangement as a trauma-informed choice shifts the focus from judgment to compassion for those protecting themselves from family abuse.

Family Dynamics

Enmeshed Families: When Control Is Disguised as Closeness

Sharon Martin, DSW, LCSW on August 14, 2025

Close relationships aren’t always healthy. Sometimes what feels like love and closeness is control in disguise.

Close relationships aren’t always healthy. Sometimes what feels like love and closeness is control in disguise.

Boundaries

Why Setting Family Boundaries Triggers You, and What Helps

Sharon Martin, DSW, LCSW on May 27, 2025

Managing your emotions makes it easier to set boundaries with family when things get difficult. This leads to less stress, more confidence, and healthier relationships.

Managing your emotions makes it easier to set boundaries with family when things get difficult. This leads to less stress, more confidence, and healthier relationships.

Emotional Abuse

7 Reasons People Stay Connected to Toxic Parents

Sharon Martin, DSW, LCSW on May 9, 2025

4. Fear of losing other family relationships.

4. Fear of losing other family relationships.

Self-Esteem

How Childhood Trauma Damages Self-Worth and How to Heal It

Sharon Martin, DSW, LCSW on April 29, 2025

2. Know that self-worth isn't something you need to earn or prove.

2. Know that self-worth isn't something you need to earn or prove.

Boundaries

5 Common Boundary-Setting Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Sharon Martin, DSW, LCSW on March 4, 2025

Struggling to set boundaries that stick? Avoid these five common mistakes and learn how to set clear, healthy limits that others will respect.

Struggling to set boundaries that stick? Avoid these five common mistakes and learn how to set clear, healthy limits that others will respect.