8 Things Every Therapist Needs to Know About Family Estrangement

Family Estrangement is a hugely prevalent phenomenon, affecting potentially 1 in 5 families in the UK, and 1 in 4 adults in America.

And yet, despite this, there is a lack of training and resources for not only estranged adults but also the professionals working with them. Considering the stigma and shame associated with family struggles and eventual estrangement, therapists are in a unique position to validate client experiences and the complex family dynamics that led to the estrangement. They can also offer emotional and practical support, by resourcing them through the various psychological, relational, and social challenges they face being estranged in contemporary society. This workshop acts as an introduction to the topic and offers eight key points to consider when working with adults who are estranged from one or more family members.