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How can therapists feel prepared to address the possible treatment focus of ruptured maternal relationships in the therapeutic space? Depending on the client, the goal of therapy may be to repair an estranged maternal relationship or to finalize parental estrangement and redefine themself. This book focuses on identifying the estrangement cycle for clinical application with adult women clients by mental health professionals. It provides clinical tools to address the challenges of estrangement and adjustment needs of these clients within the spheres of personal identity, relationships, and grief and loss to promote personal growth and healing in the therapeutic space. It also engages readers by illustrating different stages of estrangement through client vignettes and by providing practical tools for mental health professionals to create a supportive and nonjudgmental space. With this resource, clinicians and clients will feel better equipped with the skills needed to tackle the emotional rollercoaster that is Estrangement Energy.
The companion resource website can be found here: https://www.estrangementenergycycle.com/
List of contents
Introduction
Structure
Identity Protection
Author Experience
Chapter 1: Estrangement Defined
Terms of Estrangement
Physical Versus Emotional Estrangement
Family Frequency of Estrangement
Sibling Estrangement
The Stigma of Estrangement
Mother-Daughter Estrangement
Warning Signs for Daughters
Warning Signs for Mothers
Cultural Considerations
Clinical Considerations
Estrangement Explained
Chapter 2: Long-Term Effects of Estrangement
Symptoms of Estrangement
Impact on Partners
Impact on Siblings
Impact on Children
Impact on Other Family Members
Impact on Friends and Community Members
Chapter 3: Assumptions of Estrangement
Selfishness
Suddenness
Therapist Recommendation
Exaggerated Trauma
Refusal to Reconcile
Too Much Toxic
False Memories
Mental Health Problems
Control over Grandchildren
Chapter 4: A Woman's Worth
Mother-Daughter Attachment
Partner Attachment
Attachment Trauma
Abuse
Neglect
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Chapter 5: Introduction to The Estrangement Energy Cycle
Chapter 6: Cycle of Abuse
Power and Control
Gaslighting
Financial Abuse
Generational Trauma
Minimizing
Scapegoating
Caregiving
Defective/Denial
Superior Parenting
Chapter 7: Questioning
Shame and Guilt
Negative Core Beliefs
Self-Doubt
Emotion Dysregulation
The Burden of Busyness
Active Avoidance
Self-Criticism
Suicidal Ideation
Perfectionism
Chapter 8: Relationship Rupture
Chapter 9: Therapeutic Tools for Estrangement Energy
Shutting Down the Inner Critic
Experiencing Anticipatory Grief
Challenging Ambivalence
Exploring Forgiveness
Understanding the Fight or Flight Response
Addressing Elevated Anxiety
Watching for Warning Signs
Exploring EMDR
Staying Present
Chapter 10: Grief and Loss
Chapter 11: Discovering Sense of Self
Successful Self
Trauma Personification
Identity Formation
Sobriety Versus Recovery
Compassionate Touch
Reconciled Relationship
Positive Role Model
Professional Helper
Safe Space
Chapter 12: Deeper Work
Theme #1: What Happened is a Part of Me, But Doesn't Define Me
Theme #2: I Know and Trust Myself
Theme #3: I Can Change this Trauma Legacy for My Children
Chapter 13: Redefining Self-Worth
Chapter 14: Revisiting the Cycle
Chapter 15: Treating Men Who Are Estranged
Chapter 16: Clinical Competencies in Estrangement
Assessment
Professionalism
Intervention
Chapter 17: When Someone You Know is Estranged
For Partners
For Parents
Readiness for Reconciliation
Parent Dynamics
Shared Grief
Supporting Self-Awareness
For Siblings
For Friends and Community Members
DO
DON'T
Chapter 18: Dating and Estrangement
Chapter 19: Life After Estrangement
Chapter 20: A Final Look at Estrangement Energy
Appendix A: Warning Signs in the Mother-Daughter Relationship
Appendix B: The Estrangement Energy Cycle
Appendix C: Estrangement Energy Therapeutic Tools
Appendix D: Estrangement Clinical Competencies and Self-Assessment
Appendix E: Group Processing Questions
For Therapeutic Groups
For Book Club Discussion
References
Index
About the Author
About the author
Khara Croswaite Brindle, MA, LPC, ACS, CFT is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Approved Clinical Supervisor in Colorado. She is a Certified Financial Therapist Level-I through the Financial Therapy Association and enjoys various leadership roles within financial therapy to support the growth of the field, including financial therapy supervision, consultation, and her role as Director of Training for the Financial Therapy Clinical Institute. Khara has engaged her community as a mental health professional and clinical supervisor for the past 12 years in both community mental health and private practice settings. She is on a mission to support underearners including therapists in order to cultivate work-life harmony and a better relationship with money as business owners.
