(Part 1 of 2) "Family of Origin" is the term used in counseling work to refer to the relational systems into which we were born and raised. Our families of origin leave lasting impacts on us all. They are the source of so many of our most basic ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving.

A crucial step in healing for all people is to gain an awareness of our families of origin. This awareness takes us outside our biased perspective as participants and gives us the view of an outside, unbiased observer.

When we come to see our families of origin more clearly, we also see more clearly our own identity, strengths, challenges, drives, and defenses. With this awareness, we can unlock a sense of freedom from old patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that have kept us imprisoned our whole lives long.

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