When it comes to codependency, parts that like to manage relationships and protect child-like exiles are very prominent. Children who develop codependency later in life have been conditioned to believe they are not good enough because the connection with their caregivers was non-existent, abusive, or strained. They learn they must caregive, sacrifice, adapt, or do more than they need to be validated or loved. This pushes their healthy parts in a protective role so they don’t face trauma.
In parts work, codependency is seen as a pattern of behavior that emerges from the internal dynamics of a person’s internal family system. Parts work suggests that codependency often arises from the interactions between different parts within an individual. These parts can contribute to codependent tendencies in various ways. Sign up here:
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Dr. Nicholas Jenner, a therapist, coach, and speaker, has over 20 years of experience in the field of therapy and coaching. His specialty lies in treating codependency, a condition that is often characterized by a compulsive dependence on a partner, friend, or family member for emotional or psychological sustenance. Dr. Jenner’s approach to treating codependency involves using Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, a treatment method that has gained widespread popularity in recent years. He identifies the underlying causes of codependent behavior by exploring his patients’ internal “parts,” or their different emotional states, to develop strategies to break free from it. Dr. Jenner has authored numerous works on the topic and offers online therapy services to assist individuals in developing healthy relationships and achieving emotional independence.
