Difficult Family Relationships
Inter-generational problems are a special interest of mine. These might include recurring family conflict, communication challenges or estrangement. I offer counselling to adults facing relationship difficulties with their parents, grown-up children or siblings. In particular, I work with mothers and daughters.
Unresolved difficulties within the family that involve e.g. sadness, bewilderment, anger or resentment can cause much hurt to the people directly involved as well as those in the wider family and social circle whose lives are affected by the fall out. Sometimes it is possible to find ways to repair rifts and disputes. Other times we might have to accept that some things can’t be fixed by our own actions alone. And for some, estrangement might be experienced as a relief.
I aim to offer a safe and welcoming space in which you can talk about your own unique situation without fear of judgement or criticism. I will help you make sense of what is happening and explore what steps you would like to take going forward. For example, together we might consider how to set new boundaries with a family member.
In the case of family conflict and/or estrangement I usually recommend coming to counselling or therapy as an individual. There’s more information about this in my blog post ‘Joint Therapy or Individual Therapy?’
