Sherry Gaba, LCSW
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The Link Between Overfunctioning Mothers and Estranged Adult Children

The Link Between Overfunctioning Mothers and Estranged Adult Children

by Sherry Gaba | Aug 4, 2026 | Codependency, Obsessive Love, Relationships

One of the most painful experiences a mother can face is becoming estranged from an adult child. While every estrangement story is unique and often involves many contributing factors, one dynamic that frequently appears in family systems is overfunctioning....
When Intelligence Turns Inward: Why Smart Women Struggle More After a Breakup

When Intelligence Turns Inward: Why Smart Women Struggle More After a Breakup

by Sherry Gaba | Jun 9, 2026 | Codependency, Narcissism, Obsessive Love, Relationships

Intelligent women often suffer more after a breakup – not because they are weaker, but because their minds are wired to go deeper, analyze more, and search relentlessly for meaning. After a relationship ends, the brain naturally tries to make sense of what...
Subconscious Avoidance in Codependency: Why We Focus on Others Instead of Ourselves

Subconscious Avoidance in Codependency: Why We Focus on Others Instead of Ourselves

by Sherry Gaba | May 19, 2026 | Codependency, Obsessive Love, Relationships

One of the least understood dynamics in codependency is subconscious avoidance. Many people believe codependency is simply about loving too much, being overly giving, or staying too long in difficult relationships. But underneath those behaviors is often something...
The Link Between Empathic People and Limerence

The Link Between Empathic People and Limerence

by Sherry Gaba | Apr 7, 2026 | Codependency, Obsessive Love, Relationships

Empathic people are often described as deeply feeling, emotionally attuned, and relationally generous. They sense shifts in mood, pick up on unspoken needs, and care profoundly about the inner world of others. These qualities are beautiful – and they can also...
The Clout-Chasing Narcissist: When Attention Becomes a Substitute for Self

The Clout-Chasing Narcissist: When Attention Becomes a Substitute for Self

by Sherry Gaba | Mar 31, 2026 | Codependency, Narcissism, Obsessive Love, Relationships

In the age of social media, visibility has become currency. Attention, followers, likes, and proximity to influence are often mistaken for worth. Within this landscape, a particular relational dynamic has become increasingly common: the clout-chasing narcissist. This...
The Missing Stair Phenomenon in Unhealthy Family Systems: Repair vs. Estrangement

The Missing Stair Phenomenon in Unhealthy Family Systems: Repair vs. Estrangement

by Sherry Gaba | Mar 17, 2026 | Codependency, Obsessive Love, Relationships

In many unhealthy family systems, there is an unspoken rule everyone follows but rarely names: watch out for the missing stair. The term “missing stair phenomenon” describes a dynamic in which a harmful, volatile, or emotionally unsafe family member is...
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Recent Posts

  • What Is a Dark Empath Manipulator?
  • Why Not Reacting Is Both a Spiritual Principle and a Codependency Healing Tool
  • The Covert Narcissist Mother, Codependency, and Adult Child Estrangement
  • The Link Between Overfunctioning Mothers and Estranged Adult Children
  • When “Toxic” Becomes the Diagnosis: Finding the Middle Ground in Parent-Adult Child Relationships

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Connect with Sherry

Sherry Gaba, LCSW - Psychotherapist in Westlake Village, CAI'm here to help you cope with and overcome relationship addictions, narcissistic and toxic relationships, and codependency! Learn More >>

Phone: 818-756-3338
Email: info@sherrygaba.com

Address: 5655 Lindero Canyon Rd, Suite 202
Westlake Village, CA 91362

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I am fully certified and authorized to provide teletherapy services to clients located in the state of Florida. This allows Florida residents to receive high-quality, confidential psychotherapy from the comfort and privacy of their own home.

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