Feeling lost in people-pleasing and emotional caretaking? You’re not alone. Psychotherapist and author of Love Smacked, Sherry Gaba, joins us to unpack codependency. We explore how early relational trauma wires us to abandon ourselves ...

Breakups hurt! In this episode, Dr. Downey unpacks why heartbreak can feel like withdrawal, especially for those with codependent tendencies. When your identity is wrapped up in caring for someone else, losing the relationship often...

In this episode of The Codependent Doctor, I introduce the powerful yet simple tool that’s helped me stop people-pleasing on autopilot: the three-second authenticity pause. Through personal stories and practical tips, we explore how th...

Have you ever thought, “My parents really tried their best… but I still got hurt”? This episode dives into that exact truth—the emotional complexity of being raised by loving parents who lacked the tools to meet all your needs.D...

Have you ever felt the quiet pressure to “just get over it” after someone broke your trust?Maybe they apologized. Maybe they didn’t. But something inside you still feels unsettled.Trust doesn’t rebuild overnight. It ...

Do Father’s Day celebrations leave you feeling hollow instead of happy? You’re not alone.In this raw, candid conversation, we explore the grief that comes with having a father who was physically present but emotionally absent—a sp...

Codependency doesn't just affect romantic relationships—it can appear in our friendships too, creating anxiety, over-functioning, and emotional entanglement that feels just as intense without the relationship label. Emotional intimacy is emotio...

Mental health and codependency intersect in profound ways that affect how we treat ourselves, not just our relationships with others. We explore four key patterns that keep us stuck in cycles of burnout, guilt, and emotional exhaustion while pr...

In this bonus episode for Mental Health Awareness Month, Dr. Angela Downey shares five powerful mindset shifts that challenge how we think about healing and self-care:Healing isn’t linear — Growth often looks messy, not per...

If you’ve always been “the strong one,” this episode on emotional neglect may explain why relationships still feel hard.Emotional neglect isn’t about what happened, but what didn’t.Your needs were likely invisible

Ever say “it’s not that bad” while feeling overwhelmed or exhausted? This Mental Health Awareness Month bonus episode explores high-functioning distress—when you seem fine on the outside but feel drained inside.Dr. Angela Downey...

In this episode, I unpack love bombing—those intense early displays of affection that can feel amazing but often mask emotional manipulation.I share a personal story (yes, I introduced someone to my family after one date!) to sh...

We often think healing requires big life changes—but the most powerful mental health shifts often come from small, consistent habits.In this Mental Health Awareness Month bonus episode, I share six mindset shifts that helped me heal from...

In this episode, I explore the silent treatment—why it’s used, how it hurts, and how to recognize it as emotional withdrawal, not healthy conflict resolution.We cover:How the silent treatment triggers shame, anxiety, and conf...

What does mental health care look like between therapy sessions and diagnoses?In this Mental Health Awareness Month episode, I explore the daily habits that support emotional well-being—especially for those of us with codependen...

In this episode, I explore what happens when we lose ourselves in the roles we play—doctor, parent, caregiver—and forget who we are beyond them.We cover:How tying self-worth to titles leads to burnout and identity loss

Healing is powerful—but it can also feel lonely. In this episode, I explore the emotional shift that happens when you set boundaries and leave behind people-pleasing.We discuss:Why loneliness is a normal part of growth

In this episode of The Codependent Doctor, I delve into the complex and often misunderstood concept of "victim mode." As a family doctor and fellow codependent, I understand that many of us have experienced feelings of powerlessness, e...

In this episode of The Codependent Doctor, I dive deep into the topic of burnout, a personal experience that has significantly shaped my life and career. Burnout is more than just feeling tired; it's a profound exhaustion that affects ...

In this episode of The Codependent Doctor, I delve into the complex emotions of jealousy and envy—two feelings that many of us grapple with but often struggle to understand. As we explore these emotions, I aim to shed light on how they...

In this episode of The Codependent Doctor, I delve into the complexities of gender identity and the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community, particularly in the context of codependency. I begin by emphasizing the importance of acceptance a...

In this episode of The Codependent Doctor, I delve into the intricate relationship between addiction and mental health, emphasizing that addiction is often a coping mechanism for underlying issues such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and...

 In this episode of The Codependent Doctor we delve into the often-overlooked impact of addiction on loved ones who are not the ones struggling with substance use. While previous episodes have focused on the individual battling addiction, ...

In this episode of The Codependent Doctor, I, Dr. Angela Downey, delve into the world of alternative addiction recovery programs, moving beyond the traditional 12-step approach that many are familiar with. Having previously explored th...

In this episode of The Codependent Doctor, I am excited to present part two of our miniseries on addictions, focusing specifically on the transformative power of 12-step programs. Whether you’re familiar with Alcoholics Anonymous or si...