Codependency | Alison Cannell

Understanding Codependency - Support for you when a family member is or has been struggling with addiction or mood disorder.

It's time to put yourself first, and healing begins with you — in your body, your boundaries, your relationships.

When someone you love is struggling with addiction or navigating recovery, it’s natural to become hyper-focused on their needs. You might find yourself constantly managing crisises, walking on eggshells, or trying to hold everything together — often at the expense of your own emotional and physical well-being.

Over time, this stress doesn’t just affect your thoughts — it lives in your body. You may feel tense, anxious, shut down, or disconnected from yourself. This is often where co-dependent patterns quietly take root: a loss of your own sense of self and prioritising of your needs, in an effort to keep everything under control, stay safe, or keep the peace.

"This has been a year of contrast for me, I feel that I've been through such incredible lows to now be facing the start of a new year with great confidence, happiness, peace and love in my heart, it's almost unbelievable, if it hadn't been such hard work at times I almost wouldn't believe it myself. I have so much to thank you for, you've taught me so much about myself, how to be true to myself, how to love and respect myself and most importantly how to be happy. It gives me such pleasure to be able to look at my life at this point and see that I have a happy family, a thriving business and have become someone that I am incredibly proud of ... I really want to thank you for supporting me and providing me with the tools necessary to get to where I am today."

But you can come back to yourself.

I support family members of individuals in active addiction or recovery using a somatic and relational approach. That means we’ll not only talk through your experiences, but also gently explore how they show up in your body, your boundaries, and your nervous system. In our work together, you’ll begin to:

Notice where you’re holding tension, fear, or urgency
Understand and unwind co-dependent patterns like people-pleasing, over-responsibility, and emotional enmeshment
Rebuild a felt sense of safety, agency, and choice
Practice boundaries not just in theory, but in your body and relationships
Learn to stay connected without losing yourself

You don’t have to choose between love and self-respect.

So much of this work is relational — both the pain and the healing happen in connection. In our sessions, you’ll be met with compassion, connection and respect for your personal experiences. Together, we’ll create space for you to feel, to breathe, and to remember that your needs are important too. Whether your loved one is in crisis or recovery, you deserve support too.

Ready to take the next step?

You’re welcome to book a free informal chat on the 'Booking' page or via email or phone, to see if you feel drawn to work with me. Or, if you’re ready to get started, you can book a counselling session directly on the 'Booking' page or via email or phone.

I'll look forward to connecting with you.