Family Cut-offs
The first thing that popped into my head when I was reading the listserve discussion of estrangement or cut-off from parents was of two clients I had previously worked with…
The Importance of Structure
When I was first introduced to family systems therapy in the 1980s one of the preeminent models was “Structural Family Therapy” which emphasized hierarchy and boundaries. The focus on hierarchy…
Strategies for Maintaining Family Harmony During the Holidays (and beyond)
All too often we fall into the trap of believing that we are right, that our opinions and beliefs are “indisputable facts,” and that those who disagree are at best…
Guess who may or may not be coming to dinner; managing holidays during the Pandemic
It should not be surprising that couples/families have different opinions about whether or not they should get together in person over the holidays. We have witnessed conflicts about whether to…
Helping families navigate the choppy waters of partisan politics
Whose lives matter: A middle aged man began a session by stating how his adult son is refusing to talk with him because of an argument over Black Lives Matter.…