I am well aware by witnessing the angst all around me, that the winter festivities and get-togethers are in full swing. Between obligatory work parties, friends’ gatherings, and family dinners, some people feel like running off to the woods and holing up in a cabin until the whole thing is over. I’ve spoken … [Read more...] about How to Reframe Family Gatherings as a Chance to Grow
Family-of-origin
Mother’s Day 2022
I wrote an article for Mother's Day of 2021, and have tweaked it slightly for this Mother's Day in case you didn't read it last time. I want to dedicate an entire post to my own very special mother- whom I call "mum" because my family is from London, UK, also known in her own right as Marion Kane. But before … [Read more...] about Mother’s Day 2022
Dealing With Family Cut-Offs
Unfortunately, there is an unending need to explore the complicated issue of family cutoffs or what is commonly referred to as 'familial estrangement'. I have addressed this issue in previous posts. Check them out if you haven't done so … [Read more...] about Dealing With Family Cut-Offs
QTIP- Quit Taking It Personally
I was working with a male client recently who has a very difficult in-law to contend with. I kept reminding him that her behaviour towards him wasn't personal which he found helpful. He shared an acronym with me he had learned about in a business seminar called QTIP which stands for: QUIT TAKING IT … [Read more...] about QTIP- Quit Taking It Personally
Therapeutic Letter-Writing: Part 2: The Sweet Release of Writing a Rant Letter
One thing that is very clear to me is that many of us are deeply conflicted about how to acknowledge, recognize and express our anger. This is even harder for Highly Sensitive People (HSPs): https://www.estherkane.com/podcasts/how-hsps-can-work-through-anger-and-release-it-safely/ In the following article … [Read more...] about Therapeutic Letter-Writing: Part 2: The Sweet Release of Writing a Rant Letter
Therapeutic Letter-Writing: The Unsent Letter
This is the first of a two-part series on the magic of a form of homework I give to practically ALL of my clients at one or more points on their healing journeys — THE UNSENT LETTER. If you are or have been a client of mine, I’ve probably said to you on at least one occasion, “Write a letter and don’t send … [Read more...] about Therapeutic Letter-Writing: The Unsent Letter
A Client’s Journey Through Family Cut-Offs
I am so delighted that one of my client’s offered to write the following piece for you about healing from being cut off from her adult children. I wrote What to do when a family member shuts you out last week. I also answered a reader’s question about what to do when you’ve been cut off by a family member … [Read more...] about A Client’s Journey Through Family Cut-Offs
What to do when a family member shuts you out
During my 20+ years as a therapist, I cannot count how many times clients have shared heartbreaking stories of being cut off from family members. What I am referring to specifically is the conscious decision a person makes to cut off contact from another family member for a time- this can range from a few … [Read more...] about What to do when a family member shuts you out