07/27/2026
As a therapist, Iâve been watching the recent conversations blaming therapists for adult children choosing to cut off their parents. It saddens me to see an entire profession painted with such a broad brush.
Healthy therapy is never about encouraging estrangement. It is about helping people understand their experiences, develop insight, improve communication, establish healthy boundaries, and make thoughtful decisions that support their well-being.
Family relationships are complex. Sometimes healing means repairing and reconnecting. Sometimes it means creating healthier boundaries. In rare situations involving ongoing abuse, neglect, or serious harm, distance may be the safest option. There is no one-size-fits-all answer.
I also believe there is a danger in offering blanket reassurance to someone who has chosen to cut off a parent without carefully exploring the full history, family dynamics, and all possible paths toward healing. That kind of work deserves patience, curiosity, and clinical skillânot quick conclusions.
The best therapists donât tell clients what relationships to keep or end. We help people think critically, process pain, recognize patterns, and make informed decisions that align with their values and safety.
Mental health care should never be reduced to social media sound bites. Families deserve thoughtful, individualized careânot assumptions.
â Stephanie Reeves, M.Ed., LCPC
Paper Cranes Therapy