Loving someone shouldn’t cost you yourself.
Counselling for people who have lost themselves in rescuing, fixing or managing someone else.
Written by Elza Berk, Founder & registered counsellor · ASCHP WCW/271 · 20+ years’ clinical experience · Updated 28 September 2026
Codependency often grows in families affected by addiction, mental illness or chaos. You learn to keep the peace, anticipate everyone’s needs and hold things together — until your own needs disappear.
It can look like staying in harmful relationships, feeling responsible for other people’s choices, or feeling anxious and empty when you’re not needed.
Counselling helps you understand where the pattern began, tolerate the discomfort of letting others take responsibility, and build a sense of self that exists outside your relationships.
You might recognise
- Feeling responsible for others’ happiness
- Covering for someone’s drinking or behaviour
- Difficulty saying no
- Losing your identity in relationships
- Anxiety when someone is upset with you
- Neglecting your own needs
You don’t need a diagnosis to reach out.
How we work with you.
Understand the pattern
Where the need to rescue came from.
Boundaries
Letting others own their choices, lovingly.
Reclaim yourself
Rediscovering your own needs, wants and life.
Choose who feels right.
Janika Cumpsty
Head of Supervision
“You don’t have to do your inner work alone. I help clients identify their inherent strength and take action toward the change they truly want to see.”
- Childhood trauma
- PTSD / CPTSD
- Sexual trauma
English · Afrikaans · Dutch (reading)
Omashree Balie
Specialist Wellness Counsellor
“Seeking counselling is personal, difficult, and sometimes lonely — but the results are life-changing. I aim to make that journey as comfortable as possible.”
- Couples & marriage
- Divorce
- LGBTQIA+ affirming
English · Afrikaans
Risimati Chauke
Social Worker
“I create a safe, non-judgemental space where clients can process their experiences and find practical pathways toward healing and resilience.”
- Addiction (harm reduction)
- Trauma
- Crisis intervention
English · Xitsonga · Tshivenda · isiZulu · Sepedi
Talita Kondlo
Registered Wellness Counsellor
“I take a compassionate, client-centred approach — creating a safe space to explore emotions, heal from the past, and build healthier ways of coping going forward.”
- Trauma
- Couples
- Anger management
English · isiXhosa · isiZulu
Jamie-Leigh Brickles
Registered Specialist Wellness Counsellor
“Counselling is collaborative, and at its core it’s about your heart. I believe we all have the answers deeply rooted within us; sometimes we just need the courage to reach for them.”
- Anxiety
- Grief & loss
- Trauma
English
Elza Berk
Founder & CEO · Registered Counsellor
“I built MyTruth because I needed it then and it didn’t exist. Every counsellor here has been chosen for their capacity to sit with what is real.”
- Addiction (harm reduction)
- Trauma
- Eating disorders
English · Afrikaans
Common questions
Is codependency an addiction?
It is often described as a relationship addiction — a compulsive focus on another person that harms you.
My partner has an addiction. Is this for me?
Yes. Supporting yourself is not abandoning them. See also our guide for partners and families.
Can this run alongside Al-Anon?
Yes. Many people find both helpful.
Your truth deserves to be heard.
Choose a counsellor who speaks your language and understands your world. Sessions are online, private and booked in minutes.