What causes estranged family relationships?
First, when you are estranged from a family member, there are many intense feelings that go along with it. Often, those estranged from their children shared that divorce, trauma, and mental health issues are part of it. Estranged family relationships can involve fears, sadness, worry, anger, frustration, and confusion.
Often, in a high conflict divorces, it is not uncommon for children or some children to become estranged from a parent.
Emotions like anger, jealousy, protection, fear, and loss play into estrangements. Also, differing expectations about family roles can play a huge role in estrangement. If a child experiences a traumatic event, they may choose to distance and remove themselves. Lastly, in a recent study, people estranged from their daughters also reported a history of mental health problems and emotional abuse. Sometimes, out of fear, parents estrange their children to coming out as gay, lesbian, or bisexual.
How common is estrangement in family relationships?
Unfortunately, estrangement between parents and adult children is very common. In holistic counseling, estranged family relationships can be discussed openly. Your therapist can provide skills for soothing yourself and for reconnecting. Intense emotions like anger, frustration, and betrayal can lead to cut-offs and disconnection. In one study, of young adults, 17 percent experienced estrangement from an immediate family member. Further, a variety of intense feelings can feel uncomfortable, challenging, and confusing. Right now, it may feel like there is an inner conflict and inner turmoil inside you.
Call 860-451-9364 to begin learning coping tools for overcoming estranged family relationships.
What types of estranged family relationships are there?
Now, many think that only fathers estrange from their families. In some families, there is a divorce and the father goes off to build another family and abandons his previous. No longer is this the only case scenario. Both genders can harbor anger and choose to cut the other off or cut out. So, as a group of therapists, we work with people that struggle with estrangement to build acceptance and confidence. From counseling, you can learn tools to build a positive, healthy life that you deeply enjoy.
How to deal an estranged family relationship in therapy?
At times, being estranged can lead to depression, loss, grief, sadness, and anger. Remember, therapy is a safe place to process these feelings. You and your therapist can find outlets for loss and sadness. For instance, you can do yoga therapy, mindfulness meditations, or walk outdoors in Niantic, CT. Alongside traditional talk therapy, the holistic marriage and family therapists support your mind, body, and spirit. At Wisdom Within Counseling, you can pick from a variety of holistic, creative methods for releasing tension and building self-love. Learning how to breathe in counseling provides mental flexibility and the ability to go with the flow as plans change. Some times, estranged family relationships can be hard because you have memories with someone, that you used to love.
Cutoffs can hurt, but is important to not dwell on the pain and hurt of “losing” a loved one.
People choose to create cutoffs for reasons you may never truly know. So, don’t try to comprehend or ask “why” when it seems to be depressing. So, if you get hung up on the “why,” it can create a toxic, negative cycle of thinking. Instead, focus on attracting choosing positive, healthy relationships with new friends. You can “adopt,” so to speak, friends as chosen relatives. If you feel rejection about a family gathering, choose to create your own. Build upon the positive relationships you have instead. And, focus on loving yourself as you are. Part of therapy for estrangement, is about acceptance and contentment. Therapy can help you come to terms with, process, and accept challenging relationships.
Call 860-451-9364 to begin learning coping tools for overcoming estranged family relationships.
How does holistic therapy help estranged family relationships?
In school, don’t learn social emotional skills. So, in East Lyme therapy, you can learn conflict resolution skills. You learn about math and science in school. But, we don’t learn skills for how to be in healthy relationships, to nurture ourselves, or skills to navigate anxiety. Just like you go to the doctor when you’re sick, your therapist helps you move forward and feel calm. And, you holistic therapist listens to what makes you feel sad, scared, and worried, and helps you release. Essentially, therapy help you in releasing stress, letting go of people, and healing.
The holistic therapists teach life skills for emotional confidence.
The holistic therapists at Wisdom Within Counseling believe that help from someone outside your family can make a big impact in your life. We offer skills for your whole self, your mind, body, and spirit, and a safe space where you can create a calm, confident life. No matter your age, our team of therapists would be happy to help. We help anxious children, depressed teenagers, and distant couples. When a family estrangement happens, it is hard for all ages, especially children.
Call 860-451-9364 to begin learning coping tools for overcoming estranged family relationships.
What is unique and different about therapy in East Lyme, CT?
Also, can pick from traditional talking, creative art, yoga, music, outdoor walking, or a combination. For emotional expression and release, have choices of creative art and music, including paints, glitter gel pens, watercolors, and clay. Also, you can go for an outdoor walk-and-talk session by the beach in the sun, on the Niantic Bay Boardwalk for depression coping skills and social confidence. Or, you can choose to sit on a couch in an office, or talk outside at the picnic table in the fresh air.
After loss and trauma, you can do mind–body therapies like yoga and mindfulness meditations to help you feel stronger, clear your head, and build a self-care toolbox.
You can always come in and sit on one of our comfy couches and sit, unload stress, and simply talk too. Our therapists support positive lifestyle skills such as sleep, exercise, and nutrition for holistic wellness. At Wisdom Within Counseling in East Lyme, Connecticut, your therapist may personalize therapy. Your counseling journey can include a mix of yoga, art, creative outlets, and self-love. The therapists at Wisdom Within Counseling want you to have the positive tools to value yourself again.
