Welcome back to Therapy Chat + Happy New Year! This week's guest is Dr. Sharon Martin, LCSW, who specializes in family estrangement in her practice in San Jose, California. Sharon, a TTN member, is the author of the Better Boundaries Workbook as well as her newest book, Cutting Ties WIth Your Parents. Sharon and I got together on Instagram Live to share our thoughts on family estrangement after Oprah posted a podcast episode about this "new trend." 

In our conversation you'll hear me share about my own experiences of family estrangement as an adult child, and as a parent of adult children. We delve into the complexities of family estrangement, exploring the emotional and psychological impacts of cutting ties with family members. We discussed the commonality of family ruptures, the role of childhood experiences in shaping adult relationships, and the guilt that often accompanies estrangement. We talked about the fears parents have about letting go of their adult children, and simple changes parents can make to improve communication and family dynamics with their adult children. Our conversation emphasizes the need for self-care and the potential for healing and freedom that can come from prioritizing one's own well-being.

Resources from this episode:

Dr. Sharon Martin's website has a wealth of resources focused on family relationships.

Purchase Sharon Martin's newest book, Cutting Ties With Your Parents, here.

Therapists - if you're ready to allow yourself to be held in nature with a community of like-minded therapists, my Mind, Body + Soul Healing Retreat for Therapists in Tulum, Mexico is here. Space is still available for our April retreat and our November dates will be announced soon!

Are you a helping professional who wants to learn more about the Safe + Sound Protocol (SSP)? On behalf of our friends at Unyte Health, we are pleased to share this Trauma Recovery Toolkit, a free resource aimed to support you as you work with clients who present with trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Download the toolkit and access an exclusive discount code for the SSP training! 

Therapists and mental health professionals: I created a FREE video to help you feel more confident in supporting survivors of sexual violence in an embodied and trauma sensitive manner. Check it out here!

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TherapyChatPodcast

Therapists, visit the new For Therapists page on the Trauma Therapist Network website for discounts on CE trainings, recommended resources and more. 

Find a trauma therapist near you via findtraumatherapy.com! We believe that trauma is real, healing is possible and help is available at Trauma Therapist Network. 

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