186. High Functioning Codependency with Terri Cole

About this episode

In this episode, Amie Woolsey interviews Terri Cole about high functioning codependency and its impact on women during divorce and co-parenting.

Have you ever been the strong one — the one who holds everything together, manages everyone's emotions, and keeps the ship running — but quietly wondered why you're so exhausted? In this episode I'm sitting down with licensed psychotherapist and bestselling author Terri Cole to talk about something she coined called high functioning codependency (HFC). This isn't the codependency you picture. It shows up in capable, successful women who over-function, over-give, and over-manage — and it's exactly the pattern so many of us bring into divorce, co-parenting, and new relationships without even realizing it. We talk about what HFC looks like when you're parallel parenting after betrayal, how anticipatory anxiety keeps you stuck in overdrive, why strong women are the last to recognize these patterns in themselves, and how awareness is the first step to finally breaking the cycle. If you've ever felt like you can't stop fixing, rescuing, or doing it all — this one is for you. 👉 Take Terri's free boundary style quiz: https://boundaryquiz.com 👉 Learn more about Terri and her books Boundary Boss and Too Much : https://www.terricole.com @terricole _________________________________________…

People in this episode

Host: Amie Woolsey

Guest: Terri Cole

Topics covered

• high functioning codependency
• emotional management
• divorce
• co-parenting
• betrayal trauma
• self-awareness

Keywords

• codependency
• emotional exhaustion
• anticipatory anxiety
• strong women
• self-awareness
• boundary setting

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: APSATS, ICF

Products: Boundary Boss, Too Much

Places: Divorce

More episodes of The Empowered Divorce Podcast; Navigating Divorce After Betrayal Trauma and Abuse

• 197. Co-Parenting After Betrayal & Divorce with Christina McGhee | Helping Kids Navigate High-Conflict Divorce · June 11, 2026 · 1h 3m
• 196. A Daughter’s Voice: How Betrayal Trauma Impacts Children — with Hannah Gordon · June 4, 2026 · 43 min
• 195. What Kids Really Need When There’s Betrayal in the Family with Morgan Ellsworth LMFT · May 28, 2026 · 48 min
• BONUS EPISODE: Dating After Betrayal: How to Trust Yourself Again · May 24, 2026 · 21 min
• 194. How to Talk to Your Kids About Divorce — Even Years Later · May 21, 2026 · 1h 6m
• 193. Owning Your Story During Divorce with Meagan Norris: Stay Empowered in the Middle of the Mess · May 14, 2026 · 46 min