311: When Your Family Isn't Supportive with Dr. Kat

Is there anything more complex than family relationships? Our family members can run the gamut from the most loving and reassuring people in our lives to the absolute worst and most difficult people we encounter. One of the major reasons people seek out therapy is to deal with the huge amounts of stress that our family members bring to our lives. This can be especially true, and even magnified, in the transition to parenthood, a difficult pregnancy/postpartum, or a time of grief/loss associated with the parenthood journey. It’s these times when finding support is more crucial than ever, and it can be saddening, frustrating, angering, and very disappointing when the ones you love the most are not supportive and helpful. Join me for a closer look at this topic! Show Highlights: How the scenario of a non-supportive family member might play out as your expectations of support are not met How family members can be intrusive, judgmental, or even absent Why you might experience a disconnect with your parents and grandparents as you embark on your reproductive journey in very different ways than they did How, in therapy, we attempt to figure out, untangle, and understand the complex feelings about our families How therapy work explores how your feelings are impacting you and what can be shifted as we work toward specific goals My takeaway advice: “Start a practice of reflection and a habit of naming your feelings. Find a therapist who can help you process your feelings, and know that you are not alone.” Resources: Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support! Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.  Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!