Q: I love my sister, but sometimes we get into the worst arguments over her behavior. It’s not that I try to get into these debates, but she always seems so ungrateful anytime I do something nice for her, and when I point this out, she denies it. Whether it’s…
Nosy parents can drive their adult children up the wall. Even though their prying behavior isn’t always meant to be invasive, it can cause damage to family relationships. Nosy parents may invade your privacy due to being concerned about you, ineffective communication styles, or loneliness. Less benevolently, they may also…
People don’t sever family relationships casually; it’s usually a long, painful process of recognition and internal struggle. Family estrangement is often caused by the negative behavior patterns of toxic parents, which can include manipulation and mockery. The decision to cut off toxic parents is a heavy burden, and it brings…
Family constellation therapy (FCT) is an approach to healing that confronts intergenerational trauma both mystically and empirically. Bert Hellinger devised FCT as a way of connecting ancestral pain and traumatic events to someone’s current difficulties, then restoring peace to the system. Through FCT workshops or one-on-one sessions, individuals can use…
Many people have close relationships with their parents — in fact, some consider their mother or father their best friend. But that isn’t always the case. There’s a less fortunate narrative: Some people hate their parents. They don’t just lack that connection or disagree with their parents from time to…
As fall gives way to winter, the holiday season is in full swing, but holiday stress prevents many of us from fully enjoying our celebrations. While our budgets can fall under strain during this time of year, one of the leading causes of holiday stress is dysfunctional family dynamics. Surveys…
Every year on September 16, we celebrate National Working Parents Day. This year, our celebration is a little different, as the majority of working parents are either 1) adapting to working from home while their kids adapt to learning from home or 2) juggling the tricky (and stressful) balance that…
Click here to schedule online counseling at Thriveworks. Hi, my name is Shontel Cargill and I am a Licensed Marriage And Family Therapist at Thriveworks. So the question that was asked was, “What do you do when you are having family problems during a pandemic?” I think that this is a fantastic…
Family problems, like major changes in family dynamics, financial instability, and sibling bullying, can have a significant impact on children. These problems can negatively affect them in multiple facets, including at school, or more specifically, their school performance. Changes in family dynamic—say divorcing parents—can cause children to feel guilty, neglected,…
People typically perform acts of kindness for a loved one without giving it a second thought—but setting boundaries is important. Setting boundaries and doing things because you want to rather than feeling like you have to gives you the ability to make decisions for yourself. Spend more time focusing on…
Family feuds don’t just affect everyone directly involved; they have the ability to negatively affect the entire family. When a family dispute occurs, holidays, birthdays, and special occasions can go from a joyful occasion to an awkward, tension-filled time. Plan out the best course of action for you to take…
Any life transition can come with an unhealthy dose of stress. And when you feel overwhelmed, you might find that performing necessary tasks becomes nearly impossible. When you’re going through a major move, this kind of knee-jerk reaction is expected; unfortunately, it also comes when you need to be on…