Family rituals are routines and traditions that honor what is very important to the family (Rothenbuhler, 1998). Rituals include family traditions, such as the specific ways we celebrate holidays, birthdays, vacations, weddings,... Read more »
Family estrangement has been framed in major media outlets as everything from a “growing trend” to a “social epidemic.” But this framing reveals a deep cultural bias: When the act of estrangement... Read more »
Every year at about this time I see some patients who are filled with anxiety at the thought of going home to family for the holidays. While, for some, Thanksgiving sparks memories... Read more »
Before turning to the Three Wisest Men, this post continues my ongoing exploration of how Hallmark films illuminate real psychology concepts in family dynamics. In earlier posts, I’ve shown how holiday movies—though... Read more »
Why would a qualified, ethical therapist support their client’s decision to estrange from their family? Aren’t families sacred relationships that must be preserved at all costs? Not always. In fact, family estrangement... Read more »
Imagine a teenager watching their dad pace the kitchen after a layoff. The stress lingers in the air, silent but heavy. Years later, that young adult may still carry echoes of this... Read more »
My-Linh Le grew up watching her parents explode over tiny mistakes. When she forgot her backpack in first grade, her mother kicked it across the room so hard it hit the wall.... Read more »
Bullying remains a common part of childhood and adolescence, yet its roots often extend beyond the schoolyard. While parents and teachers frequently focus on peer dynamics, new research suggests that family stress... Read more »
This summer has been a season jam-packed with a rapid succession of family reunions, road trips to visit far-flung loved ones, and hosting what a friend impishly refers to as “house pests.”... Read more »
There is a great deal of published data on individual and partner qualities that define which people consistently create successful relationships. The building of a healthy family takes more than just currently... Read more »