Summer is here, which means family vacations and, often, an increase in the time we spend with our extended family. Have you ever found yourself reverting to a younger version of yourself when you're around your family? I know we have! It's a complex dynamic that many of us grapple with. In today's episode, Andrea and Jessica get honest about how these dynamics can often overwhelm us, leading to behaviors that seem out of sync with our adult selves. We introduce you to Internal Family Systems, as people, NOT as therapists, to better explain our different parts and their protective roles.

Throughout the episode, Jessica dives deeper into the psyche of her 14-year-old self. A protective part that often shows up when visiting family. We all have that adolescent within us, scared and vulnerable, stepping up to shield us from perceived threats. But do they still need to shoulder that burden? We discuss how to speak to these parts and reassure them they're safe now.

Lastly, we explore the paradox of our need for connection and the tendency to withdraw when navigating family dynamics. We emphasize how understanding our needs, communicating them effectively, and extending compassion towards ourselves can make a difference. We also highlight the power that lies within us in influencing how others perceive us.

Join us on this journey of self-discovery, and vulnerability, as we learn to embrace our younger selves with compassion and understanding.

Connect with Us:

Follow Honest Women Podcast @honestwomenpodcast

Follow Jessica: @jlhutchisonlcpc

Follow Andrea: @andreaburkly

Learn more about the Honest Women Podcast: www.honestwomenpodcast.com

Honest Women is the podcast for every woman juggling the demands of modern life (while trying to keep her shit together) and finding that it’s all just a little more difficult than she thought it would be. Your hosts, Andrea Burkly and Jessica Hutchison, are two very real mental health professionals who are taking honest conversations from inside their offices to the outside world.

Disclaimer:

Please note while this podcast features two therapists, and may feel very therapeutic, this is not therapy! Please be entertained, and know that through our creative content, we are not providing mental health care. No diagnosis. No treatment. No medical advice. Just creative content. Please seek appropriate mental health support in the real world.

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