Estranged Family Therapy for Adult Children and Parents
Online in PSYPACT States

Family estrangement affects identity, belonging, and the nervous system in ways that can be hard to name, especially when the history is long or complicated.

I’ve worked with estranged families in therapy for over 25 years, supporting adult children and parents as they navigate separation, cutoff, and long-standing disconnection. I began this work long before “estrangement” became a common term, and my approach has deepened as the language and research around it have evolved. This specialty is a focused application of family systems therapy. It’s rooted in trauma-informed care, relational repair, and deep respect for the complexity of family history.

I primarily meet with adult children and parents. I also see estranged adult siblings who wish to meet for sessions together. Many people begin unsure what is possible, what they want, or how to proceed without repeating old patterns or causing further harm. 

Our sessions focus on understanding what happened, recognizing what may or may not be repairable, and taking steps toward more intentional contact (when and if it feels right) in ways that are tolerable and sustainable for everyone involved. My approach is structured, compassionate, and respectful of each person’s emotional capacity.

This service is offered exclusively online through secure video sessions. I see families in PSYPACT-participating states, including those who live in different states and want to participate in therapy together. This format allows everyone to come together in a way that is emotionally safer, logistically feasible, and clinically attuned to the complexity of estrangement.

What we might explore together

Many of the families I meet with are navigating:

• separation, relational distance, or estrangement
• cutoff or low contact
• painful ruptures, betrayal, or unresolved conflict
• attempts at early reconnection after a period of estrangement
• communication patterns that feel stuck or tense
• boundary challenges or high-conflict dynamics
• intergenerational trauma or repeating emotional patterns
• complicated, emotionally intense, or ongoing difficulties between adult children and parents
• estrangement or ongoing tension between adult siblings who wish to participate in therapy together
• ambivalence, hesitation, or mixed feelings about reconnecting

I also support families (whether estranged or not) around related concerns such as:

• strained parent–adult child relationships
• grandparent involvement and multigenerational dynamics
• differing values, life choices, or identities
• navigating contact around major life events such as births, deaths, holidays, or moves
• shifts in caregiving roles with aging parents
• blended family dynamics and loyalty conflicts

Estrangement and near-estrangement often involve grief, confusion, and emotional overwhelm. This process offers a structured, respectful space to sort through what has happened, clarify your needs and limits, and consider next steps in a way that honors both your history and your current situation.

How I work

I bring a strong foundation in family therapy and extensive experience working with complex family dynamics. My approach is trauma-informed, attachment-based, and grounded in systemic thinking about family relationships. I pay close attention to how history, roles, and relational patterns shape the present.

Our work may include:

• understanding the dynamics that led to estrangement, cutoff, or disconnection
• exploring what safety, trust, and boundaries mean for each person
• slowing down reactive cycles so communication becomes clearer
• supporting careful, stepwise reconnection when and where it feels appropriate
• helping each person feel more grounded, resourced, and understood

I draw from evidence-based treatments that support clarity, communication, and relational repair. This includes nervous system-aware approaches and tools for navigating grief, ambivalence, and emotional complexity.

Your role is to bring your lived experience, your values, and your sense of what does and does not feel workable. My role is to offer stability, clear structure, and close, careful attention. We’ll keep checking in so the work does not move faster than anyone is ready for or stay in one place when more is possible.

How these sessions are structured

This service is designed for adults (18 and older) who have agreed to attend therapy together.

In most cases, one adult family member begins by reaching out and scheduling a brief, free 15-minute phone consultation with me. This initial call is for the person who is considering working with me or coordinating therapy, and it offers time to:

• share a bit about what has been happening
• ask questions about the process
• get a sense of whether working together feels like a good fit

If, after that consultation, it seems appropriate to move forward, we will then schedule full individual sessions for each adult who wishes to participate. This gives each person dedicated time to share their perspective on what has happened, how things are now, what they hope for, and whether this kind of therapy feels right for them at this time.

After all individual sessions are complete, we will determine if everyone feels ready for a first joint session or whether more conversation is needed. Participation is always voluntary, and we’ll move at a pace that feels as safe and manageable as possible for everyone involved.

If you are navigating estrangement on your own, whether you are unsure about contact, working through past experiences, or seeking clarity before reconnecting, you may prefer to begin with individual therapy. You can learn more here: Individual Therapy for Adults & Young Adults. 

If you are seeking support for reunification or reintegration therapy with a child or teen, you can read more here: Families.