WOMEN WHO LOVE TOO MUCH

Are any of these behaviors true about you?

1. Do most of your conversations center around the man in (or not in) your life…his problems, his thoughts, his feelings?


2. Do you accept behavior from him that you would never accept from your friends?


3. Are you more in love with his potential than the person he is now?


4. Do you always blame yourself when he acts badly in the relationship? I could be sexier, sweeter, more understanding…


5. Do you tend to be attracted to men who have problems with addiction, moodiness or an unwillingness to commit.


6. Do you think he will change if he just meets the right woman—like you?


7. Do you neglect other parts of your life (your kids, health, friends, work, spirituality) to get or keep a relationship?


8. Are nice, available men too boring for you?

YOU may be a Woman Who Loves Too Much. This term was first coined in 1985 by Robin Norwood when she wrote the blockbuster, Women Who Love Too Much. Workshops and groups sprung up all over the country as the phrase “When You Keep Wishing and Hoping He’ll Change” resonated in the hearts and minds of women of all ages. Twenty-three years later, she has re-published her book and it is as relevant now as it ever was. Especially in this era of "hook-ups", friends with benefits, and sex addiction.

Back in 1985, Charlene Conley LCSW and I began offering workshops and groups that we called People Who Love Too Much, because we knew men who were addicted to women and to relationships also. We conducted one co-ed group and four women's groups weekly for several years.

It was from this experience that we became aware of and involved in treating sex addiction because many of our men and some of our women were actually sex addicts rather than love or relationship addicts. We attended a two day workshop with Patrick Carnes Ph.D, recent author of "Out of the Shadows", and I went on to become a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist.

While some men do have this issue, our program is choosing to concentrate on women since our culture continues to emphasize care-giving as a feminine role. Some Women Who Love Too Much (WWLTM) fit primarily in this role and may even be very minimally codependent (especially if they really did not know about their man’s behavior). However, other WWLTM’s are actively enabling or trying to control their man’s behavior, are unable to leave when they say they want to, and/or become sexually addicted in the process of trying to make the relationship(s) work.

Discovering where you fit is going to feel easier and safer in a group of women than in a coed setting. That is why our workshops and groups are limited to women—at least for now.

Linda Paoli will now be presenting the Women Who Love Too Much workshop with Mary Ann McLean LCSW. An ongoing group will be led by Mary Ann McLean when we have sufficient women enrolled.

CALL NOW (916) 972-7831 or email Linda@Hearthealer.net and begin getting the life and love you want.

"A ship in harbor is safe — but that is not what ships are built for."

-J.A. Shedd