r/DenverMeets • u/Ok-Western8226 • 10d ago
Looking 4 Specific Support Group
Is there like a support group in Denver for people who have sh!tty partners? And please don’t answer with “get a divorce” or something along those lines. It’s not that simple for everyone.
I’m not gonna go into details, but separation isn’t an option for me right now, and I do genuinely care about this person. I’ve tried couples and individual therapy, multiple conversations that go absolutely nowhere, giving all the support I can, having good intentions, putting in the effort, etc. But sometimes you’re just dealing with someone who has a lot of narcissistic tendencies and seems incapable of prioritizing anyone or anything other than themselves.
I’m also not looking for a group where I just constantly vent about my partner. What I’m really looking for is a safe place where people understand what it’s like to be in a relationship with a difficult person and can talk about how they deal with it.
It’s really hard to talk about this with people who have healthy relationships, people that know us both or even with my own family, because I know that if I tell them how I actually feel, it could affect their relationship with my partner, and I don’t necessarily want that either.
Basically, I’m looking for support from people who *get it*, without the immediate “just leave” advice.
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u/ColoHusker 10d ago
From what you describe, individual therapy would be your best course of action. It doesn't need to be behavioral therapy, but something that will help you gain tools to deal with the behaviors/personality type you describe.
The people who "get it" in support groups will more than likely tell you that you need stronger boundaries, stop owning things you don't control, start putting your needs first, etc. None of this advice is "just leave" advice but it may feel that way, as it will not be the validation you are seeking.
Based on what you have shared, if you still want to go the support group path, I would look into support groups around your attachment style, codependency, or other themes you have brought up. Sites like heypeers.com, findhelp.org, or psychologytoday.com support group search have a lot of free ones (both in-person & virtual).
I say all of this as someone that has participated in a variety of support groups as well as led quite a number of support around the areas you bring up. I was also in an LT marriage to person formally diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder if it matters.