Specialities
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents
& Challenging Parental Relationships
The relationship we have with our parents and/or early caregivers are among the most important and formative attachments we form in our lives. These relationships teach us about love, connection, needs, boundaries, and communication. They are meant to mirror and reflect back to us our innate goodness. But even the most well-intentioned parents bring their own wounds and limitations to their parent-child relationships. Often, this leads to fractured and confusing relationships, a lack of tending to emotional needs, and incredible (often invisible) pain for the child, even in adulthood. As adults, we gain the perspective and space to examine our early life and relationships with parental figures. We can cultivate new insights, develop more self-compassion, shift unhealthy relational patterns, and heal from the past.
Relationship to Self
& Self-Worth
Feeling disconnected from oneself or struggling with low self-worth can be a painful, confusing, and lonely experience, which often has its beginning in early childhood. For many, disruptions occur during the developmental phases where one typically explores and forms identity, builds confidence, and learns that it is okay to have needs, boundaries, and preferences. Somewhere along the way, you may have learned (directly or indirectly) that it was not acceptable to have differing opinions, to be messy, make mistakes, be seen as “needy”, or communicate your desires and preferences.
In adulthood, a disconnection from oneself can look like people-pleasing, self-doubt, difficulty making choices, excessive caretaking, perfectionism, high-functioning anxiety, codependency, negative self-talk, trouble setting boundaries, and/or frequently seeking validation or assurance from others. Perhaps at times you aren’t sure what you really want, feel, or need. Therapy can help you slow, down, make sense of the confusion, and connect to your inner wisdom.
Relationships
With Partners, Family, Friends, and Others
Relationships, whether romantic or platonic, are generally considered to be one of the most rewarding, dynamic, challenging, and confusing parts of one’s life. From our earliest relationships with caregivers and family members, to friendships, partners, coworkers, and neighbors, most of us navigate dozens of relational dynamics on any given day with varying degrees of success. We, as human beings, are so complex and diverse, and each connection we make is unique. So it makes sense that most of us need help navigating these relationships throughout our lives.
