Between the Generations

Family Dynamics

5 Ways to Protect Your Energy From Toxic Family Members

Sarah Epstein LMFT on December 1, 2025

Tools to stay connected with challenging family members while protecting your peace, setting boundaries, and easing the emotional load.

Tools to stay connected with challenging family members while protecting your peace, setting boundaries, and easing the emotional load.

Family Dynamics

3 Life Moments That Reveal Family Dysfunction

Sarah Epstein LMFT on November 17, 2025

For those raised in dysfunctional families, major life transitions can clarify relationships and lead them toward a healthier path.

For those raised in dysfunctional families, major life transitions can clarify relationships and lead them toward a healthier path.

Family Dynamics

Parental Estrangement: Finding Clarity in Therapy

Sarah Epstein LMFT on November 6, 2025

Therapy can help you decide what kind of relationship feels right with a difficult parent.

Therapy can help you decide what kind of relationship feels right with a difficult parent.

Family Dynamics

What to Do Before Reconnecting With an Estranged Relative

Sarah Epstein LMFT on July 16, 2025

Thinking of reconnecting with an estranged relative? Consider these key questions to help guide your decision and set realistic expectations for the relationship.

Thinking of reconnecting with an estranged relative? Consider these key questions to help guide your decision and set realistic expectations for the relationship.

Family Dynamics

Low Contact: A Gentler Path When Estrangement Feels Too Big

Sarah Epstein LMFT on June 16, 2025

Struggling with a difficult relationship? Learn how low contact can help you create space without fully cutting ties.

Struggling with a difficult relationship? Learn how low contact can help you create space without fully cutting ties.

Family Dynamics

What Is Family Estrangement, Really?

Sarah Epstein LMFT on May 27, 2025

Estrangement isn’t black and white. Explore the complexities, causes, and emotional layers behind family distance.

Estrangement isn’t black and white. Explore the complexities, causes, and emotional layers behind family distance.

Assertiveness

The Backlash of Assertiveness

Sarah Epstein LMFT on May 22, 2025

Speaking up can change everything. Explore how assertiveness can upend relationships.

Speaking up can change everything. Explore how assertiveness can upend relationships.

Family Dynamics

Are You the Family Whistleblower?

Sarah Epstein LMFT on March 24, 2025

Families resist change, but one person may refuse to stay silent. Discover the powerful role of the "family whistleblower" in confronting deep-rooted dysfunction.

Families resist change, but one person may refuse to stay silent. Discover the powerful role of the "family whistleblower" in confronting deep-rooted dysfunction.

Family Dynamics

4 Factors Causing Tension Between Adult Children and Parents

Sarah Epstein LMFT on March 13, 2025

Struggling to connect with your parents as an adult? Discover the hidden generational, cultural, and financial factors that may be driving a wedge between you.

Struggling to connect with your parents as an adult? Discover the hidden generational, cultural, and financial factors that may be driving a wedge between you.

Family Dynamics

The Hidden Rules That Control Your Family—and How to Change Them

Sarah Epstein LMFT on March 4, 2025

Why is it so hard to change family dynamics? Discover the hidden rules that keep families stuck in harmful patterns and how to break free.

Why is it so hard to change family dynamics? Discover the hidden rules that keep families stuck in harmful patterns and how to break free.

Affirmations

How to Use Affirmations to Cope With Difficult Family Members

Sarah Epstein LMFT on December 31, 2024

Going to see a difficult family member? Keep these affirmations in mind to stay grounded and out of conflict.

Going to see a difficult family member? Keep these affirmations in mind to stay grounded and out of conflict.

Family Dynamics

12 Truths About Relating in Our Families

Sarah Epstein LMFT on September 27, 2024

8. You can love them—and struggle to be around them.

8. You can love them—and struggle to be around them.

Family Dynamics

4 Things Parents Need to Tell Their Adult Children

Sarah Epstein LMFT on September 23, 2024

3. "I believe in you."

3. "I believe in you."

Family Dynamics

4 Ways You Might Make Family Fights Worse

Sarah Epstein LMFT on July 9, 2024

Are difficult family members 100% responsible when they start yet another family fight? Not quite.

Are difficult family members 100% responsible when they start yet another family fight? Not quite.

Relationships

6 Reasons Why People Stay in Failing Relationships

Sarah Epstein LMFT on June 18, 2024

6. They just don't have the energy to leave.

6. They just don't have the energy to leave.

Family Dynamics

5 Key Challenges an Only Child May Face

Sarah Epstein LMFT on May 21, 2024

Triangulation, high expectations, and pressures to be loyal.

Triangulation, high expectations, and pressures to be loyal.

Relationships

6 Steps to Get Through a Tough Conversation

Sarah Epstein LMFT on May 2, 2024

4. Communicate your nervousness, maybe

4. Communicate your nervousness, maybe

Parenting

The Thing Parents Do That Infuriates Adult Children

Sarah Epstein LMFT on April 2, 2024

"Oh, Alice has always been dramatic."

"Oh, Alice has always been dramatic."

Boundaries

8 Steps to Letting Other People Down

Sarah Epstein LMFT on February 15, 2024

Do you think that disappointing others is wrong? Think again. You need this skill.

Do you think that disappointing others is wrong? Think again. You need this skill.

Forgiveness

Are Self-Compassion and Self-Forgiveness the Same Thing?

Sarah Epstein LMFT on February 8, 2024

Self-compassion and self-forgiveness are the backbone of emotional well-being. Both are important, but slightly different. Here's how.

Self-compassion and self-forgiveness are the backbone of emotional well-being. Both are important, but slightly different. Here's how.