This course provides an overview of how individuals can become 'addicted' to others and to relationships. It examines how individuals with complimentary personality styles unite and form bonds. Clients with addictions often demonstrate dependent, narcissistic or borderline personality traits; the patterns of relationship that commonly develop with these personality styles will be examined. The role of childhood experiences of neglect and abuse in affecting adult relationship patterns will be considered. The course also identifies and discusses: • research- based definitions and codependency measurement tools used in clinical settings, • contemporary psychological theories (object relations, family systems theory, cognitive-behavioral therapy) as applied to codependency, • the main clinical issues/treatment strategies and interventions that can be used in individual or group treatment of codependency, and • criticisms of the concept of codependency from perspectives of family systems therapy, feminist therapy and from a mental health diagnostic perspective.
