The Best of You 161: Finding Yourself Without Losing Your Family - Healing from Dysfunctional Family Patterns with Jerry Wise
Jun 5, 2025
In this enlightening discussion, Jerry Wise, a seasoned therapist with 45 years of experience, delves into healing from dysfunctional family patterns. He explores the vital concept of self-differentiation, offering listeners a path to reclaim their identity without shame. Jerry shares insights from his own healing journey and highlights why cutting ties doesn't always foster healing. He provides practical steps to recognize emotional enmeshment and encourages personal growth as a means to transform toxic family dynamics.
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Jerry's Personal Healing Journey
- Jerry Wise shares his extensive journey through various therapies and spiritual practices before discovering self-differentiation.
- His breakthrough came after realizing selfhood is connected deeply with family system dynamics, not just individual healing.
Understanding Self-Differentiation
- Self-differentiation means developing a unique self distinct from family and system influences.
- Emotional connectivity remains, but internal boundaries allow caring without absorbing others' feelings as your own.
Balancing Closeness and Distance
- Healthy relationships require a balance between closeness and distance, as both extremes can be toxic.
- Self-differentiation involves managing internal boundaries while maintaining external relationships with care.
