Depending on your client, the goal of therapy may be to repair an estranged relationship with their mother or to finalize parental estrangement and redefine themself. How can clinicians feel prepared to address the possible treatment focus of ruptured maternal relationships in the therapeutic space? This book focuses on identifying the estrangement cycle for clinical application with adult women clients by mental health professionals. This resource provides clinical tool to address the challenges of estrangement and adjustment needs of these clients within the spheres of personal identity, relationships, and grief and loss in order to promote personal growth and healing in the therapeutic space. This book engages readers by 1) introducing the estrangement cycle, 2) illustrating different stages of estrangement through client vignettes, and 3) providing practical tools for mental health professionals to offer clients wanting to do therapeutic work around estrangement in 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.
Khara Croswaite Brindle, MA, LPC, ACS, is a TEDx Speaker, licensed mental health therapist, and burnout consultant in Denver, Colorado. Khara enjoys various roles as a serial entrepreneur, published author, professional speaker, professor, and financial therapist. She values giving back to the next generation of mental health therapists through teaching, consultation, and clinical supervision. Khara has served her community as a dedicated Medicaid provider in mental health for the past decade. Past projects include creating the CACS Suicide Risk Tool for helping professionals and forming Catalively, a nonprofit focused on reducing youth suicide in Colorado. Her greatest joy is engaging driven entrepreneurs, fellow helpers, and perfectionists to move from workaholic to well-balanced with streamlined strategies that fit their busy lifestyles. As a professional who has experienced burnout and burnout recovery already within her career, Khara offers trainings and on-demand courses in burnout prevention and recovery, compassion fatigue, and work-life balance along with her masterclass, workbook, and book series Perfectioneur: From Workaholic to Well-Balanced, an Amazon #1 Best Seller.
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
