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Mar 2025
49m 32s

193. The Good Daughter Syndrome: Help fo...

Meg McCabe
About this episode

Do you constantly seek your mother’s approval at the expense of your own happiness? Do you struggle with boundaries or feel emotionally trapped in your relationship with her? In this episode, I sit down with Catherine Fabrizio, psychotherapist and author of The Good Daughter Syndrome, to discuss how daughters of difficult, narcissistic, or emotionally immature mothers can break free from these patterns and start living a life that truly belongs to them.

Catherine shares how the good daughter syndrome manifests, why guilt plays such a strong role in keeping daughters stuck, and practical steps to set boundaries, reclaim personal power, and focus on self-fulfillment rather than endless approval-seeking.

What you’ll learn:

  • What the Good Daughter Syndrome is and how it affects your life
  • How to recognize if you are emotionally enmeshed with your mother
  • The difference between acting in and acting out in response to a difficult mother
  • How to assess whether a relationship with your mom can be healed or if strong boundaries (or even distance) are necessary
  • Practical steps to break free from guilt, set boundaries, and finally prioritize your own happiness

If you’ve ever felt stuck in a pattern of people-pleasing, guilt, or emotional exhaustion with your mother, this episode is for you! Tune in to learn how to shift your focus away from keeping your mom happy and toward creating a full and thriving life for yourself.

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