Love & Relationship Addiction

Love and relationship addictions are a specific type of behavioral addiction that affects the quality of a person’s relationships with others.

Intimacy disorders are typically rooted in early attachment trauma and generalize to adult relational trauma. Many who struggle with love or relationship addiction feel like they can’t function unless they are in a relationship.

Common red flags include: being unable to be without a relationship, a constant need for the “rush” of meeting someone new, an increased risks for infidelity, an all-consuming pattern of putting their needs aside for the needs of their partner, escaping one relationship for another, a pattern of traumatic bonds, or staying in an unhealthy relationship to avoid being alone.

Because those affected by love and relationship addiction often have co-occurring experiences of anxiety, depression, and emotional pain when not in a relationship, there is often a compulsive pattern of needing to be in a relationship at all times.

Love and relationship addictions come in many forms including love addiction, romance addiction, relationship addiction, obsessive/compulsive thoughts and behavior about an unavailable person, and even addiction to family or friends.

Thus, it is important to understand:

Where it was learned.
What type of addiction it is.
Why it was learned.
When it became conditioned.
What function it is serving.
What family dynamics may be in play.
And most importantly is how to overcome it.

At the root of all types of love addiction are unhealthy attachments, fears of abandonment, attachment trauma, expectations that love or a relationship will “fix” or “save” them, and issues with codependency or narcissistic adaptations.

I am a doctor of Psychology, Certified Trauma & Relationship Specialist and Certified Addiction Specialist, I am highly experienced in creating actionable plans that are grounded in the fundamental of Behavior Science to foster healthy relationships while healing helping you break through self-defeating barriers.

I focus on coaching my clients in recognizing the underlying causes of love and relationship addiction, so they can free themselves from the pattern. My approach includes both psychoeducation and behavioral modalities that not only help educate on the origins of love addiction, but include actionable goals that foster the healing process.