Therapy Chat

511: Family Estrangement – A New Trend? With Dr. Sharon Martin

Jan 5, 2026
Guest
Sharon Martin
Dr. Sharon Martin, a licensed clinical social worker and author specializing in family relationships, discusses the complexities of family estrangement. She highlights how unmet childhood needs can lead to estrangement and emphasizes the importance of boundaries for emotional safety. The conversation dives into the dynamics between parents and adult children, addressing the guilt often felt during these ruptures. Sharon also offers insights on self-care and the potentials of healing after estrangement, encouraging open communication and validation.
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INSIGHT

Estrangement Builds Over Decades

  • Family estrangement often grows from decades of unaddressed hurts rather than a single incident.
  • Sharon Martin says cumulative, unrepaired childhood wounds make adult rupture more likely.
ADVICE

Set Boundaries To Protect Safety

  • Create boundaries that make you feel safe and protect your nervous system.
  • If family relationships consistently trigger trauma responses, prioritize self-care and limit exposure.
INSIGHT

Validation Trumps Defense

  • Adult children often want parents to hear, validate, and witness their pain rather than to be punished.
  • Dismissing requests to discuss past harms perpetuates trauma and blocks repair.
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