Family estrangement is more common than you may think. Most of us don’t talk about our family conflict because we feel shame, stigma, and dread the over-simplistic and judgmental advice, “Why don’t you just forgive them and move on?” Yet, research shows that over ¼ of Americans are estranged from their family members. When estranged, it can feel like an open wound that never heals. In this episode, therapist and trauma specialist Giulia Preziuso shares her story of being estranged from her mother for over a decade and the steps she took to find self-compassion, boundaries, and, eventually, true forgiveness.
Listen and Learn:
- Guilia’s story of estrangement and reunion
- What causes family estrangement
- Body-based practices to soothe your nervous system
- Getting unstuck from stories about your family member
- Research on family estrangement
- The difference between fake forgiveness and real forgiveness
- The importance of self-compassion
- What it sounds like to set effective boundaries
- How to develop perspective-taking and compassion for your family member
About Giulia Preziuso
Born and raised in Paterson, NJ, Guilia came to Orange County, NY, in 2004 and founded Defining Moments in 2009 to help others learn effective ways to transform their lives permanently. She received her bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a concentration in Criminal Justice from William Paterson University and her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from The Alliance Graduate School of Counseling. Guilia has experience on leadership teams for major Fortune 500 companies and takes a unique solution-focused approach to healing. She is the author of It’s Your Mother’s Fault, Now What?
Related Resources
Learn more about Guilia Preziuso
Follow Guilia at @MyDefiningMoment on Instagram
Read Diana’s Psychology Today Blog on Why You Should Take Retreat
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