Anchor Therapy's founder and psychotherapist, Courtney Glashow, LCSW, has been quoted in Well + Good!

Courtney discusses the difference between a toxic friendship and a supportive, positive friendship. Courtney helps distinguish the signs of a toxic friendship and what to do once you realize you are in one.

“A friendship should be a support system between two people,” Glashow says. “You want to make sure the people close to you in life are there to listen, support you, and share their successes and struggles as well.”

Just like romantic relationships, friendships can be physically and emotionally abusive. Emotional abuse can be so subtle—it doesn’t exactly leave you black and blue—that you might not recognize it for what it is. But if a friend is overly critical, jealous, controlling, or prone to angry outbursts, she’s crossed the line. “At that point, it’s important to seek help from a psychotherapist to assist you in how to leave that relationship safely,” urges Glashow.