Choose Positive Living with Sara Troy and her guest Kate King, on air from December 16th

Katie King, licensed professional counselor and author of MEND OR MOVE ON: A Guide to Healing or Leaving Toxic Relationships (January 13, 2026), helps people navigate the complexities of harmful relationships — from manipulative partners and domineering bosses to abusive parents and family dysfunction. She explores the controversial yet increasingly necessary decision to choose estrangement or no-contact with toxic family members, including parents, and why this step is often essential for emotional safety and long-term well-being. King clarifies what truly defines a toxic relationship versus one that has simply run its course, while outlining seven common traps that keep people stuck in damaging dynamics. She offers practical tools for breaking free from psychological and emotional harm, releasing guilt, and setting boundaries that can actually strengthen healthy connections. King also distinguishes interdependency from codependency, shares communication strategies to avoid triggering conflict, and emphasizes the role of curiosity, compassion, and everyday kindness in building relationships rooted in dignity and mutual respect. As she notes, no one should settle for a bond that diminishes their autonomy or wellbeing — because toxic is toxic, and everyone deserves to grow in healthy connection.

Kate King, MA, LPC, ATR-BC, is a licensed professional counselor and board-certified art therapist with nearly twenty years of experience helping individuals heal their inner wounds so they can positively contribute to the evolving collective. Her work incorporates a dynamic synergy of brain and nervous system science, psychological teachings, spiritual practices, and art therapeutic creative expression to provide a unique and effective approach to healing and growth, personally and relationally. King is also a professional artist, podcast host,  creative entrepreneur, and multi-award-winning author. Her previous books include The Radiant Life Project (2023), a psychological self-help guide to cultivating a deeply healthy, empowered life, and The Authentic Mother (2014), a creativity-based companion book for new parents. She lives with her husband and two children in Morrison, Colorado.   

For more information, visit Johns Hopkins University Press   

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