Breaking Free of Toxic Relationships

Everybody knows that taking a toxic substance, even in small doses, can be very damaging to one’s health, and may eventually lead to death.

What most people may not know or fully realize is the harm that is done by a toxic relationship.

A toxic relationship — whether with your romantic partner, a family member, a friend, a co-worker, or anyone else — is one that harms your mental and perhaps your physical health. In a toxic relationship, one or both people may behave in ways that are manipulative, controlling, even abusive. Examples include blaming the other person for everything, exploding in angry outbursts, denying reality (“gaslighting”), belittling the other person, being overly possessive or jealous, and isolating the other person from family and friends to maintain control.

A toxic relationship is like a poison taken regularly in small doses. The effect is not felt immediately (unless there is physical abuse). But that doesn’t mean it isn’t causing damage.

Gradually, like a poison, a toxic relationship eventually leads to death —  death of the self.

You gradually lose a sense of who you are. You feel stuck. You are filled with self-doubt, with fear of the unknown. You may feel a lack of control, even a sense of despair.

At the same time, you have a deep desire for change: You wish and hope the person you are in a relationship with will change.

The bad news is that it is difficult to get anyone to change. People change only if they want and choose change.

The good news is there is one place that change can happen: in you. You can recover your self-esteem and agency (control) over your own life. With help, it is possible to heal from a toxic relationship, and to find a healthy and loving relationship.

Are you ready to begin? Contact me for a free initial consultation.

My Specializations Page