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Family

Our families have the potential to be our biggest supporters, those we turn to when we need help or comfort. At the same time, many family members come with “baggage,” and spending time with them can even be triggering. If your family of origin included abuse or toxicity of any kind, time with family can be painful. 

If you have complicated feelings about your family, or even need to sever ties with them to live most healthfully — that’s OK. A good therapist can help you work through these relationships and forge a better understanding of your family dynamic and what created it. For most of us, enforcing boundaries with difficult family members can go a long way toward building better relationships, allowing future encounters to be less problematic, and more satisfying.

A therapist can help you set boundaries that are clear, consistent, considerate, and healthy for you. It can be hard to communicate boundaries with your family, and they may be resistant at first. But you have every right to assert your needs, even with family.

Estranged Adult Children
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Published on: 21 Feb 2025
Clinically Reviewed by Famous Erwin, LMHC, LPC
  • 8 minute read
Clinically Reviewed by Famous Erwin, LMHC, LPC

Estranged Adult Children: Understanding and Healing Relationships

Published on: 21 Feb 2025
Clinically Reviewed by Famous Erwin, LMHC, LPC
  • Written byCynthia V. Catchings LCSW-S
  • Feb 21, 2025
Clinically Reviewed by Famous Erwin, LMHC, LPC
Being parents of estranged adult children​ can be excruciating. Estrangement is an emotionally complex, deeply personal issue…and it’s…
Understanding Why Your Adult Kids Don't Want to Be Around You
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Published on: 21 Feb 2025
Clinically Reviewed by Jill E. Daino, LCSW-R
  • 9 minute read
Clinically Reviewed by Jill E. Daino, LCSW-R

Understanding Why Your Adult Kids Don’t Want to Be Around You

Published on: 21 Feb 2025
Clinically Reviewed by Jill E. Daino, LCSW-R
  • Written byElizabeth Keohan, LCSW-C
  • Feb 21, 2025
Clinically Reviewed by Jill E. Daino, LCSW-R
Your baby might be all grown up, yet your love for your child has no end — even…
10 Signs Your Elderly Parent Needs Help
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Published on: 17 Jan 2025
Clinically Reviewed by Elizabeth Keohan, LCSW-C
  • 9 minute read
Clinically Reviewed by Elizabeth Keohan, LCSW-C

10 Signs Your Elderly Parent Needs Help

Published on: 17 Jan 2025
Clinically Reviewed by Elizabeth Keohan, LCSW-C
  • Written byJill E. Daino, LCSW-R
  • Jan 17, 2025
Clinically Reviewed by Elizabeth Keohan, LCSW-C
Determining when your aging parent needs help is an emotional and delicate process. Age-related physical and cognitive changes…
How to Gently Tell a Parent They Need Therapy
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Published on: 17 Jan 2025
Clinically Reviewed by Olga Molina, D.S.W., LCSW
  • 8 minute read
Clinically Reviewed by Olga Molina, D.S.W., LCSW

How to Gently Tell a Parent They Need Therapy

Published on: 17 Jan 2025
Clinically Reviewed by Olga Molina, D.S.W., LCSW
  • Written byCynthia V. Catchings LCSW-S
  • Jan 17, 2025
Clinically Reviewed by Olga Molina, D.S.W., LCSW
Most people who plan on telling a parent they should seek therapy dread the conversation. It’s likely to…
10 Tips for Becoming First-Time Grandparents
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Published on: 17 Jan 2025
Clinically Reviewed by Bisma Anwar, LMHC
  • 7 minute read
Clinically Reviewed by Bisma Anwar, LMHC

10 Tips for Becoming First-Time Grandparents

Published on: 17 Jan 2025
Clinically Reviewed by Bisma Anwar, LMHC
  • Written byCynthia V. Catchings LCSW-S
  • Jan 17, 2025
Clinically Reviewed by Bisma Anwar, LMHC
Becoming a grandparent for the first time is a thrilling milestone. It’s your opportunity to witness the birth…
Feeling Trapped Caring for Elderly Parents
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Published on: 22 Oct 2024
Clinically Reviewed by Cynthia V. Catchings LCSW-S
  • 8 minute read
Clinically Reviewed by Cynthia V. Catchings LCSW-S

Feeling Trapped Caring for Elderly Parents? Here’s How to Cope

Published on: 22 Oct 2024
Clinically Reviewed by Cynthia V. Catchings LCSW-S
  • Written byMinkyung Chung, MS, LMHC
  • Oct 22, 2024
Clinically Reviewed by Cynthia V. Catchings LCSW-S
Even if you willingly sign up to do it, as most people do, feeling trapped when caring for…
How to Deal with Difficult Family Members
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Published on: 22 Oct 2024
Clinically Reviewed by Reshawna Chapple, PhD, LCSW
  • 6 minute read
Clinically Reviewed by Reshawna Chapple, PhD, LCSW

How to Deal with Difficult Family Members

Published on: 22 Oct 2024
Clinically Reviewed by Reshawna Chapple, PhD, LCSW
  • Written byCynthia V. Catchings LCSW-S
  • Oct 22, 2024
Clinically Reviewed by Reshawna Chapple, PhD, LCSW
Dealing with difficult family members is never easy, and challenging relationships can be overwhelming, stressful, and painful. When…
I Hate My Family
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Published on: 22 Oct 2024
Clinically Reviewed by Elizabeth Keohan, LCSW-C
  • 8 minute read
Clinically Reviewed by Elizabeth Keohan, LCSW-C

I Hate My Family: Understanding & Navigating Emotions

Published on: 22 Oct 2024
Clinically Reviewed by Elizabeth Keohan, LCSW-C
  • Written byReshawna Chapple, PhD, LCSW
  • Oct 22, 2024
Clinically Reviewed by Elizabeth Keohan, LCSW-C
Admitting feelings of hatred toward family members is an incredibly complex and jarring process. Your emotions can be…
How to Deal With Family Drama
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Published on: 24 Jul 2024
Clinically Reviewed by Minkyung Chung, MS, LMHC
  • 10 minute read
Clinically Reviewed by Minkyung Chung, MS, LMHC

How to Deal with Family Drama

Published on: 24 Jul 2024
Clinically Reviewed by Minkyung Chung, MS, LMHC
  • Written byMeaghan Rice PsyD., LPC
  • Jul 24, 2024
Clinically Reviewed by Minkyung Chung, MS, LMHC
Family drama is a surprisingly common part of life, touching everyone at some point. That doesn’t mean it’s…
Understanding & Healing Broken Family Dynamics
Read More
Published on: 24 Jul 2024
Clinically Reviewed by Reshawna Chapple, PhD, LCSW
  • 8 minute read
Clinically Reviewed by Reshawna Chapple, PhD, LCSW

Understanding & Healing Broken Family Dynamics

Published on: 24 Jul 2024
Clinically Reviewed by Reshawna Chapple, PhD, LCSW
  • Written byBisma Anwar, LMHC
  • Jul 24, 2024
Clinically Reviewed by Reshawna Chapple, PhD, LCSW
Family dynamics shape who we are, offering love, support, and a sense of belonging. But what happens when…

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