Blog | Center For Mindful Psychotherapy

Kathryn March 27, 2025

BIPOC and Queer Experiences in Polyamory: Why Inclusive Therapy Matters

Polyamory and other forms of ethical non-monogamy are often portrayed as progressive, inclusive, and liberatory. But for many queer and BIPOC individuals, the experience of navigating polyamory can still be deeply shaped by systemic oppression, cultural invisibility, and marginalization—even within communities that consider themselves open-minded. If you're queer and/or BIPOC and exploring non-monogamy, you may find yourself wrestling with layers...

Kathryn March 26, 2025

Am I Polyamorous or Just Curious? Exploring Identity Without Pressure

For many people, the path to understanding their relationship orientation isn’t linear. You might be in a monogamous relationship but find yourself wondering about other possibilities. Or maybe you've always felt that monogamy doesn't quite fit—but you’re unsure whether that means you’re polyamorous, simply open to exploration, or somewhere else on the spectrum. It’s common to feel uncertainty, curiosity, even...

Kathryn March 19, 2025

35 Signs Someone Is Violating Your Boundaries

Setting boundaries is essential for maintaining healthy relationships, self-respect, and emotional well-being. When someone disregards your boundaries, it can lead to stress, resentment, and even toxic relationships. However, many people struggle to recognize boundary violations until they’ve already caused harm. Learn more about therapy for communication and boundaries Here are 35 clear signs that someone may be crossing your boundaries—emotionally,...

Kathryn March 18, 2025

Therapists’ Answers to FAQ About Boundaries and Communication

Boundaries and communication are two of the most critical components of healthy relationships, yet they are also among the most misunderstood. Many people struggle with setting clear personal boundaries, while others find it difficult to communicate their needs effectively. To clarify some of the most common concerns, we've gathered insights from therapists to answer frequently asked questions about boundaries and...

Kathryn

How to Stop Absorbing Other People’s Emotions: The Difference Between HSP and Codependency

Are You an Empath, an HSP, or Codependent? Why It Matters If you often find yourself emotionally drained by other people’s moods, feeling responsible for fixing their distress, or struggling to separate your own emotions from those around you, you may have been told you’re an HSP (Highly Sensitive Person), an empath, or codependent. While these terms are often used...

Kathryn March 17, 2025

Healing Codependency Through Inner Child Work: How Your Early Experiences Shape Adult Patterns

Many adults struggling with codependency find themselves over-functioning in relationships, prioritizing others’ needs over their own, and struggling with low self-worth. They often feel an intense responsibility to keep others happy while neglecting their own emotional needs. While these behaviors may seem like personality traits or habits, they are often rooted in early childhood experiences—specifically in unmet emotional needs, family...

Kathryn March 16, 2025

Spiritual Bypassing and Codependency: Why ‘Being Nice’ Isn’t Always Healthy

Many people who struggle with codependency find themselves in relationships where they overextend, over-accommodate, and put others’ needs before their own. They may feel obligated to forgive endlessly, avoid conflict, and always “take the high road.” While kindness and compassion are essential in relationships, when these values are used to suppress real emotions or avoid necessary boundaries, they can become...

Kathryn March 15, 2025

Codependency and Perfectionism: Why You Feel Responsible for Everyone Else’s Happiness

Many people struggling with codependency find themselves feeling anxious, overburdened, and emotionally drained by their relationships. They take on more than their fair share of responsibility, constantly trying to manage how others feel, anticipate needs, and prevent conflict. What many don’t realize is that perfectionism often plays a central role in this pattern—fueling an endless cycle of self-sacrifice, guilt, and...

Kathryn March 14, 2025

Is It Codependency or Trauma Bonding? How to Tell the Difference

Many people who find themselves in difficult or unhealthy relationships ask the same question: Am I experiencing codependency, or am I trapped in a trauma bond? While these two patterns share similarities—both involve attachment to relationships that may be harmful—there are key distinctions between them that are essential for understanding your experiences and healing effectively. Codependency and trauma bonding often...

Kathryn

The Pressure to Be ‘Self-Sufficient’: When Hyper-Independence Masks Codependency

Many People in San Francisco Struggle with Codependency in Disguise San Francisco is a city known for its innovation, ambition, and self-sufficiency. The tech industry, entrepreneurial culture, and high cost of living encourage people to be hyper-independent—to solve their own problems, push through challenges alone, and avoid relying on others. But what if this fierce independence is actually a sign...