4 Signs of Emotionally Immature Parents & How to Heal

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May 15, 2025

Lindsay C. Gibson, a clinical psychologist and bestselling author, shares her expert insights on healing from emotionally immature parents. She discusses the signs of having such parents, including feelings of invisibility and the struggle for approval. Dr. Gibson emphasizes that it's time to name and understand these dynamics, offering clarity and tools for healing. Listeners learn about setting boundaries and the lasting impact of parental emotional immaturity on adult life, promoting a journey towards personal growth and emotional well-being.

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INSIGHT

Effects of Emotional Immaturity

Growing up with an emotionally immature parent causes children to feel invisible and ignored.
These children often struggle with setting boundaries and crave their parents' approval.

INSIGHT

Traits of Emotional Immaturity

Emotionally immature people cannot think about their behavior objectively.
They struggle to handle emotions and disconnect from others.

ANECDOTE

Parental Egocentrism Example

A mother derails her daughter's emotional sharing by making the conversation about herself.
This illustrates the parent's egocentrism and poor empathy.

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In today's episode, you'll learn how to heal from an emotionally immature parent.

If you've ever felt invisible in your own family, like your needs didn't matter, or if nothing you did was ever enough, this episode is for you.

Dr. Lindsay C. Gibson is here to assure you that you're not imagining it. You're not too sensitive. You're not overreacting. And you're not alone.

If you find yourself struggling to set boundaries, you’re still craving your parent’s approval, or you’re always walking on eggshells to keep the peace, Dr. Gibson says the reason you feel this way is because you grew up with an emotionally immature parent.

And today you’ll finally understand what that means.

You're about to learn the 4 subtle signs you had an emotionally immature parent and how that shapes your adult life – and the exact path to healing.

Today’s episode is not about blame. It’s about clarity and finally having the language to describe what you’ve felt for years but couldn’t quite explain.

You’ll learn how to name the behaviors that left you feeling dismissed or unseen, and you'll have the tools to begin healing.

And that’s a big deal, because doing this work doesn’t just change how you feel; it changes how you live.

For the last 30 years, Dr. Gibson has helped millions of people around the world break free from the invisible emotional suffering that has held them back since childhood. She is a pioneering expert on the topic of emotionally immature parents, and is the author of the New York Times bestseller "Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents."

If you've spent your entire life feeling like something was off in your relationship with your parents, but you could never quite put your finger on it, Dr. Gibson is here to say:

You were right.

And if you feel guilty for just considering that something might have been off, you need to hear this conversation today.

This is an episode you don't want to miss.

For more resources, click here for the podcast episode page.

If you liked this episode, you’ll love listening to this one next: Why You Feel Lost in Life: Dr. Gabor Maté on Trauma & How to Heal

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