Most people appreciate the advantages of an efficient routine and having things go according to plan. But some of us get highly stressed, upset, or angry when life takes an unexpected turn – whether it’s an accident on your way to work or something as minor as your kids leaving a big mess in the kitchen. Yes, some of […]
Author Archives: Dr. Sharon Martin, LCSW
Therapist Recommended Books for Adult Children of Alcoholics
This post contains affiliate links. After my earlier blog post about growing up in an alcoholic family, I got a lot of requests for additional reading suggestions. We are fortunate that there are many helpful books for Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOAs) on healing codependency, trauma, and relationship challenges. Below are some of my reading suggestions for adults who […]
Breaking Up Is Hard to Do (Especially if You Are Codependent)
Have you broken up with your significant other, but can’t seem to completely let go? Are you struggling to end an on-again-off-again relationship once and for all? Are you trying to figure out how to move on from a codependent relationship? It’s normal to feel conflicted about whether you should end a relationship — whether it’s a romantic relationship, […]
12 Essential Tips for Overcoming Perfectionism
This post contains an affiliate link. Do you have unrealistically high expectations? Do you expect perfection from yourself and others? Are you frequently disappointed that things don’t go as planned? Are you exceptionally hard on yourself? Do you feel like no matter what you do, it’s never good enough? These are all signs of that perfectionism. Perfectionists […]
The Effects of Growing Up in a Dysfunctional Family
If you grew up in a family with a chemically dependent, mentally ill, or abusive parent, you know how hard it is — and you know that everyone in the family is affected. Over time, the family begins to revolve around maintaining the status quo – the dysfunction. Rigid family rules and roles develop in dysfunctional families that […]
15 Journal Prompts to Help Relieve Stress and Anxiety
Everyone experiences stress – the tension and pressure of too many demands on our time and resources (both emotional and material). Even if you don’t meet the clinical criteria for an anxiety disorder, I’m sure you’ve experienced some of the hallmark symptoms from time to time: uncontrollable worry trouble concentrating insomnia rumination or obsessive thoughts muscle tension stomach aches, […]
Boundaries: The Solution for Feeling Overwhelmed
Jill feels overwhelmed. Jill has been working 12-hour days all week. She’s barely seen her son, let alone spent any quality time with him, which leaves her feeling guilty. Her 11-year-old is nagging her to have three friends over to watch a movie on Friday night, but Jill is exhausted. It’s Mother’s Day weekend and she still hasn’t gotten […]
You Can’t Solve Other People’s Problems: How to Stop Trying to Change Others
Are you a helper, fixer, or rescuer? It’s hard to watch a friend or family member struggling with a problem or making “bad” decisions. You naturally want to help. You want to make your friends’ and family members’ lives easier and more joyful. You want to fix their problems and relieve their suffering. Trying to keep a loved one out […]