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In this episode of Both Sides of the Couch, Kari reflects on a small, ordinary moment that sparked a much bigger realization about imbalance in relationships. Through the lens of a therapist, a chronically ill person, and a friend who often gives more than she receives, she explores what it feels like to be emotionally capable yet quietly unsupported.

Kari unpacks how emotional competence is frequently mistaken for self-sufficiency, how chronic illness causes support to fade over time, and how helpers often become invisible in their own relationships. Drawing from personal experiences with grief, friendship, and long-term illness, she names a pattern many people feel but struggle to articulate: being strong doesn’t mean not needing care.

This episode is for chronically ill listeners who feel forgotten, therapists and helpers who are quietly overgiving, and well-intentioned friends who care deeply but aren’t sure how to show up. With compassion rather than blame, Kari offers validation, insight, and gentle reframes for building more attuned, sustainable relationships.

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