Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week, continuing our theme of holiday stress, host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C, revisits a classic Therapy Chat episode with frequent guest Dr. Sharon Martin, LCSW.

Last week Sharon shared some of the family of origin dynamics that can make our holiday gatherings feel more stressful and disappointing than fun. This week, she shares strategies for doing more than "surviving" during family gatherings. With mindful intention, it is possible to thrive, even during stressful times.

It's common to feel disempowered when we grew up in homes without our emotional needs being met consistently enough. However, as an adult, you have more power than you may be giving yourself credit for. No one can actually take that away from you. By focusing on what is within your control and letting go of what isn't, you can take your power back during the holidays. Using the strategies Sharon shares in this episode can help.Next week we will talk in more depth about setting boundaries. If you feel stressed after the holidays are over, next week's episode will give you some ideas to implement in the New Year. Sharon will give some great tips on why it can be hard to set boundaries, why they're important, and how to do it.

Dr. Sharon Martin, LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist specializing in codependency recovery with an online practice serving California residents. For the past 20 years, she’s been helping perfectionists and people-pleasers overcome self-doubt and shame, embrace their imperfections, learn to set boundaries, and reclaim their self-worth. Sharon writes the blog Conquering Codependency for Psychology Today and is the author of The CBT Workbook for Perfectionism and The Better Boundaries Workbook.

Resources

Read Sharon's blog, Conquering Codependency, on Psychology Today here.

Buy her books on Amazon here:

The Better Boundaries Workbook: A CBT-Based Program to Help You Set Limits, Express Your Needs, and Create Healthy Relationships

The CBT Workbook for Perfectionism: Evidence-Based Skills to Help You Let Go of Self Criticism, Build Self-Esteem and Find Balance.

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