EP 127 – Breaking the Cycle of Codependency with Michelle Farris

To watch the video of this episode, please go to: https://youtu.be/ac57AfOSXAA?si=cTjUcEL8MBI5XMjO   Are you tired of putting everyone else’s needs before your own? Have you ever wondered why it’s so hard to say "no" or set a boundary without feeling a wave of guilt? What if finding your voice and reclaiming your self-trust is the key to the healthy, connected relationships you’ve always wanted?   In this episode of Kaleidoscope of Possibilities, Dr. Adriana Popescu is joined by Michelle Farris, a psychotherapist and expert in codependency and anger management. This episode is a dive deep into the patterns of people-pleasing and the underlying struggle for self-worth that often drives codependent behavior. Michelle also shares her professional and personal journey—from an 11-year-old seeking her own healing to a seasoned clinician—to explain how codependency is often a survival strategy rooted in childhood. Together, they explore the vital difference between helping and enabling, the role of suppressed anger as a messenger, and the practical "how-to" of setting boundaries without the crushing weight of guilt. This conversation is an invitation to stop managing everyone else’s "internal weather" and finally reclaim your own self-trust and agency.   In this episode: Defining Codependency: Understanding it as a loss of self and an over-focus on others. The Power of Boundaries: Learning how to say "no" as a form of self-respect rather than a rejection of others. Anger as a Signal: Exploring how suppressed emotions often manifest as resentment or outbursts. The Journey to Self-Trust: Practical steps to stop seeking external validation and start trusting your own gut.   Resources mentioned in this episode: Michelle’s Website: Counseling Recovery: https://www.counselingrecovery.com/ YouTube Channel: Relationships That Work with Michelle Farris: https://www.youtube.com/%40MichelleFarris&authuser=1 Free Resource: The 4-Step Resource on Codependency https://www.counselingrecovery.com/   About Michelle: Michelle Farris is a licensed psychotherapist, codependency expert, and anger management specialist based in San Jose, California. Known for her down-to-earth approach and deep clinical expertise, Michelle empowers individuals to break the cycle of people-pleasing, reclaim their self-trust, and cultivate the healthy, connected relationships they’ve always desired. Through her online courses and digital resources, she provides practical tools for codependency recovery, emotional regulation, and lasting relationship success.   “Be gentle with yourself if you are struggling...if it’s starting to make sense and it's painful, you're in the right place.” – Michelle   Would you like to continue this conversation and connect with other people who are interested in exploring these topics? Please join us on our Facebook group! (https://www.facebook.com/groups/kaleidoscopeofpossibilitiespodcast/)   About your host: Dr. Adriana Popescu is a clinical psychologist, addiction and trauma specialist, author, speaker and empowerment coach who is based in San Francisco, California and practices worldwide. She is the author of the book, What If You're Not As F***ed Up As You Think You Are? For more information on Dr. Adriana, her sessions and classes, please visit: https://adrianapopescu.org/ To find the book please visit: https://whatifyourenot.com/ To learn about her trauma treatment center Firebird Healing, please visit the website: https://www.firebird-healing.com/   You can also follow her on social media:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrAdrianaPopescu/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dradrianapopescu/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriana-popescu-ph-d-03793 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCflL0zScRAZI3mEnzb6viVA TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dradrianapopescu? Medium: https://medium.com/@dradrianapopescu   Disclaimer: This podcast represents the opinions of Dr. Adriana Popescu and her guests. The content expressed therein should not be taken as psychological or medical advice. The content here is for informational or entertainment purposes only. Please consult your healthcare professional for any medical or treatment questions. This website or podcast is not to be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in any legal sense or as a basis for legal proceedings or expert witness testimony. Listening, reading, emailing, or interacting on social media with our content in no way establishes a client-therapist relationship.