It’s not about them anymore.
It’s about you.
You don’t always realize how much of yourself you’ve lost until it’s over.
Whether it was months or years, being in a toxic relationship—where your needs, voice, or independence were consistently dismissed—can leave you feeling like a stranger to yourself.
You’re not alone. I’ve worked with many clients who came out of unhealthy relationships and realized they didn’t know what they liked, what they wanted, or even who they were anymore. It’s like waking up and asking, “How did I get so far from myself?”
How Toxic Relationships Take Their Toll
Toxic relationships aren’t always obvious from the outside. Sometimes, they look like quiet manipulation, slow isolation, or constant second-guessing. Over time, you might stop trusting yourself. You give more than you get. You stay quiet to keep the peace.
Here are a few common red flags I help clients process:
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Emotional manipulation or guilt-tripping
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Feeling isolated from friends and family
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Walking on eggshells or always feeling “wrong”
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Gaslighting—where your reality is questioned so often you begin to doubt your own memory
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Financial or emotional control
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Chronic self-doubt or guilt when prioritizing your own needs
Many clients I see have been told things like “You’re too sensitive” or “It’s not that bad.” But the truth is, if it’s draining your spirit and erasing your identity—it is that bad.
Healing Starts with Reconnection
In therapy, we don’t just talk about what happened—we start the work of rebuilding you.
This might include:
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Rediscovering your voice and preferences (even the small stuff, like music or hobbies)
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Setting boundaries, without guilt
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Practicing new skills for assertiveness and self-trust
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Learning to recognize your needs without shame
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Reconnecting with people who make you feel safe again
The goal isn’t to just move on from the relationship. It’s to move forward into yourself. Toxic relationships may have shaped how you’ve shown up in the past, but they don’t define who you are. You are not “too much.” You are not “too sensitive.” You’re someone who’s learning how to take up space again—and that’s brave.
Reach out for a free 15-minute consultation at (615) 994-1314 or email schedule@redcedartherapy.com to get started.
You Are Not Broken—You’re Rebuilding!
Written by: Crystal Owens, LPC-MHSP