Growing up with an emotionally immature parent leaves a mark — even if you can't always name it. Emotional, driven, passive, or rejecting: each type creates its own brand of emotional neglect that follows you into adulthood. If you've ever felt unseen, unprotected, or like your feelings were too much for the people who raised you, this one's worth reading.

If you're estranged from a parent, the holidays can feel like walking through a minefield. Everyone else has picture-perfect family gatherings while you're just trying to get through December without falling apart. Guilt will show up—tightness in your chest, a knot in your stomach. People will make comments. Here's the truth: you made a choice to protect yourself. That took real strength, even when it doesn't feel like it.

Not every family is safe. If you dread gatherings, that’s your body telling you something important. You’re not broken for protecting yourself. You don’t owe people access to you just because they’re family. Trust yourself. Your safety mattes more than keeping the peace. 7 strategies for surviving the holidays with family.

Growing up with an emotionally unavailable parent can feel like navigating a maze without a map. While many quickly label their parents as narcissists, the reality is more nuanced. Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) is statistically more prevalent and often misunderstood. These parents aren't intentionally cruel; they're trapped in a rigid world of perfectionism and control, where emotional connection takes a backseat to order and rules. Understanding the subtle differences between OCPD and narcissism can be the first step in healing, offering compassion not just for yourself, but for the complex human behind the behavior.

This blog recaps my 5 most insightful podcast interviews, covering how to confront inherited shame, differentiate authentic emotions from dysfunctional narratives, practice self-compassion, challenge unhelpful thought patterns, raise self-awareness, and intentionally foster emotional attunement to disrupt generational trauma.

Wondering if you grew up with an emotionally unavailable parent? Learn the signs, the lasting impact on adults, and how therapy helps you heal