Is family estrangement really increasing? Research shows that estrangement between parents and adult children is not rare, but proving that it is becoming more common is surprisingly complicated. Explore how technology, social media, changing expectations for family connection, and the rise of “no contact” language may be changing how we understand distance between parents and adult children.

Family estrangement is painful, complicated, and rarely caused by one person or one decision. While I do not believe therapists are causing estrangement, I do think our profession has a responsibility to examine the ways we may sometimes contribute to it. This article looks beyond the headlines to explore therapy’s role, the difference between validation and agreement, what “no contact” is really meant to accomplish, and why repair requires more than simply deciding who was right.

What do you call grief when no one has died, but the relationship no longer exists?
This post explores ambiguous grief in family estrangement, whether no-contact is chosen or imposed. We unpack the guilt, shame, relief, and identity loss that surface when stepping out of dysfunction, and why grief without closure deserves language and compassion.