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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.

How to Be a Better Parent
Read More
Published on: 24 Jul 2024
Clinically Reviewed by Meaghan Rice PsyD., LPC
  • 8 minute read
Clinically Reviewed by Meaghan Rice PsyD., LPC

How to Be a Better Parent: 9 Helpful Tips

Published on: 24 Jul 2024
Clinically Reviewed by Meaghan Rice PsyD., LPC
  • Written byJill E. Daino, LCSW-R
  • Jul 24, 2024
Clinically Reviewed by Meaghan Rice PsyD., LPC
Parenting is a journey filled with challenges and joy. The highs of watching your young child grow and…
How to Cope When Your Parent Has Dementia
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Published on: 16 May 2024
Clinically Reviewed by Famous Erwin, LMHC, LPC
  • 7 minute read
Clinically Reviewed by Famous Erwin, LMHC, LPC

How to Cope When Your Parent Has Dementia

Published on: 16 May 2024
Clinically Reviewed by Famous Erwin, LMHC, LPC
  • Written byReshawna Chapple, PhD, LCSW
  • May 16, 2024
Clinically Reviewed by Famous Erwin, LMHC, LPC
Dementia is the term used to describe a group of progressive neurological conditions that impact memory and cognitive…
Toxic Parents
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Published on: 19 Mar 2024
Clinically Reviewed by Karmen Smith LCSW, DD 
  • 11 minute read
Clinically Reviewed by Karmen Smith LCSW, DD 

Toxic Parents: Signs & How to Deal with Them

Published on: 19 Mar 2024
Clinically Reviewed by Karmen Smith LCSW, DD 
  • Written byMinkyung Chung, MS, LMHC
  • Mar 19, 2024
Clinically Reviewed by Karmen Smith LCSW, DD 
Updated 12/16/2024 Reader’s Note: If you’re experiencing physical or sexual abuse by parents, immediately contact the National Domestic…
How to Deal With Your Parents' Divorce
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Published on: 19 Mar 2024
Clinically Reviewed by Olga Molina, D.S.W., LCSW
  • 7 minute read
Clinically Reviewed by Olga Molina, D.S.W., LCSW

How to Deal with Your Parents’ Divorce

Published on: 19 Mar 2024
Clinically Reviewed by Olga Molina, D.S.W., LCSW
  • Written byMinkyung Chung, MS, LMHC
  • Mar 19, 2024
Clinically Reviewed by Olga Molina, D.S.W., LCSW
Learning how to deal with a parents’ divorce is never easy. Whether you’re 10, 15, or 30 years…
Elderly Woman in Eyeglasses Telling Off Young Blond Woman
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Published on: 02 Feb 2023
Clinically Reviewed by Meaghan Rice PsyD., LPC
  • 8 minute read
Clinically Reviewed by Meaghan Rice PsyD., LPC

What Is Generational Trauma? Signs, Causes, & How to Heal

Published on: 02 Feb 2023
Clinically Reviewed by Meaghan Rice PsyD., LPC
  • Written byReshawna Chapple, PhD, LCSW
  • Feb 02, 2023
Clinically Reviewed by Meaghan Rice PsyD., LPC
Updated 10/16/23 It’s no secret that trauma is a global issue. According to a study done by the…
Granma and granddaughter making cookies
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Published on: 30 Jan 2023
Clinically Reviewed by Cynthia V. Catchings LCSW-S
  • 8 minute read
Clinically Reviewed by Cynthia V. Catchings LCSW-S

How to Care for Someone with Dementia

Published on: 30 Jan 2023
Clinically Reviewed by Cynthia V. Catchings LCSW-S
  • Written byKarmen Smith LCSW, DD 
  • Jan 30, 2023
Clinically Reviewed by Cynthia V. Catchings LCSW-S
While caregivers play an essential role in the well-being of people living with dementia, caregiving can be challenging…
family eating together
Read More
Published on: 03 Oct 2022
Clinically Reviewed by Meaghan Rice PsyD., LPC
  • 7 minute read
Clinically Reviewed by Meaghan Rice PsyD., LPC

How to Deal with Verbally Abusive Parents

Published on: 03 Oct 2022
Clinically Reviewed by Meaghan Rice PsyD., LPC
  • Written byBisma Anwar, LMHC
  • Oct 03, 2022
Clinically Reviewed by Meaghan Rice PsyD., LPC
Abuse can take many forms — this includes (the often-ignored) verbal abuse. Although you may not get physical…
sad woman crying
Read More
Published on: 24 Aug 2022
Clinically Reviewed by Meaghan Rice PsyD., LPC
  • 8 minute read
Clinically Reviewed by Meaghan Rice PsyD., LPC

How to Deal with Grieving the Loss of a Pet

Published on: 24 Aug 2022
Clinically Reviewed by Meaghan Rice PsyD., LPC
  • Written byKarmen Smith LCSW, DD 
  • Aug 24, 2022
Clinically Reviewed by Meaghan Rice PsyD., LPC
Updated 12/13/2024 Losing a pet is something very difficult we can go through in life. For many of…
multigenerational family on couch
Read More
Published on: 04 Feb 2022
Clinically Reviewed by Cynthia V. Catchings LCSW-S
  • 7 minute read
Clinically Reviewed by Cynthia V. Catchings LCSW-S

How to Set Family Boundaries: A Therapist’s Guide

Published on: 04 Feb 2022
Clinically Reviewed by Cynthia V. Catchings LCSW-S
  • Written byJill E. Daino, LCSW-R
  • Feb 04, 2022
Clinically Reviewed by Cynthia V. Catchings LCSW-S
Updated 11/10/2022 Families can be tricky. They’re always there, you don’t get to choose them, and they can…
mother speaking to daughter while she looks on her phone
Read More
Published on: 04 Feb 2022
Clinically Reviewed by Elizabeth Keohan, LCSW-C
  • 7 minute read
Clinically Reviewed by Elizabeth Keohan, LCSW-C

How to Set Boundaries With Parents: A Therapist’s Guide

Published on: 04 Feb 2022
Clinically Reviewed by Elizabeth Keohan, LCSW-C
  • Written byAshley Ertel, LCSW, BCD
  • Feb 04, 2022
Clinically Reviewed by Elizabeth Keohan, LCSW-C
Updated on 1/11/2023 Sometimes our relationship with our parents evolves into an unhealthy place that can result in…

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