Counterdependency

The roots of counterdependency can be found in the age-appropriate negativism of two-year-olds and teens,Robert M. Gordon, I Love You Madly! (2008) p. 89 where it serves the temporary purpose of distancing one from the parental figure[s]. As Selma Fraiberg put it, the two-year-old "says 'no' with splendid authority to almost any question addressed to him...as if he establishes his independence, his separateness from his mother, by being opposite".Selma H. Fraiberg, The Magic Years (1996) p. 64 Where the mother has difficulty accepting the child's need for active distancing,Margaret Mahler, The Psychological Birth of the Human Being (1975) p. 66 the child may remain stuck in the counterdependent phase of development because of developmental trauma.[http://weinholds.org/counterdependency/ 'Weinholds: Counterdependency'], J. B. Weinhold et al, Breaking Free of the Co-Dependency Trap (2008) p. 6-7

In similar fashion, the teenager needs to be able to establish the fact of their separate mind to their parents,Patrick Casement, Further Learning from the Patient (1990) p. 94 even if only through a sustained state of cold rejection;Mavis Klein, Okay Parenting (1991) p. 108 and again unresolved adolescent issues can lead to a mechanical counterdependence and unruly assertiveness in later life.Edward O. De Barry, Theological Reflection (2003) p. 157

The counterdependent personality has been described as being addicted to activity and suffering from grandiosity, as acting strong and pushing others away.Mark Atkinson, True Happiness (2011) p. 245 Out of a fear of being crowded, they avoid contact with others, something which can lead through emotional isolation to depression.William Stewart, An A-Z of Counselling, Theory and Practice (2005) p. 295

The counterdependent male in particular may pride himself on being 'manly' – not needing affection, support or warmth, and being tough, independent and normal insteadRobin Skynner/John Cleese, Families and how to survive them (1993) p. 56 and p. 119-20 – something still reinforced by gender socialisation.Barbara Jo Brothers, When One Partner is Willing and the Other is Not (1997) p. 40 Where a woman takes on the counterdependent position, it may take on the attributes of a false self or androcentric persona.Mary Anne Mattoon, Zurich 1995 (1997) p. 119

The apparently independent behavior of the counterdependent can act as a powerful lure for the co-dependentOtto Fenichel, The Psychoanalytic Theory of Neurosis (1946) p. 510 – though once a couple has formed the two partners – codependent / counterdependent – are sometimes found to switch roles.Weinhold, p. 10{{full|date=December 2012}}

In therapy, the counterdependent personality often wishes to flee treatment, as a defense against the possibility of regression.Leonard Horwitz, Borderline Personality Disorder (1996) p. 167 and p. 133-4 By keeping the therapist at arm's length, and avoiding reference to feelings as far as possible, they may attempt to control the therapist so as to preserve their sense of independence.John Bowlby, A Secure Base (2000) p. 50-1

Existential therapists distinguish between interdependency on the one hand, and, on the other, both dependency and an escapist form of rebellious counterdependence.Emmy van Deurzen-Smith, Existential Counselling in Practice (1997) p. 18

Counterdependency can present itself in a clinical situation in the form of a negative transference.John Heron, Helping the Client (2001) p. 49

In George Kelly's personal construct theory, the term is used in another sense, to describe the therapist's transference of dependency onto the client: counterdependent transference.G. Kelly, The Psychology of Personal Constructs: Vol II (2003) p. 81-2 and p. 440

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• Attachment in adults
• Autonomy
• Counterphobic attitude
• Couples therapy
• Karpman drama triangle
• Ludwig Binswanger
• Mind your own business
• Oppositional defiant disorder
• Schizoid avoidant behavior

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