What if, instead of wondering what you should do next, you had a thoughtful strategy for reconnecting with your estranged adult child? In this multi-part series (Listen first to Part 1 and Part 2; then scroll down to the audio player for Part 3), therapist and host Tina Gilbertson helps parents build a reconnection strategy of …
What if, instead of wondering what you should do next, you had a thoughtful strategy for reconnecting with your estranged adult child? In this multi-part series (Part 1 is here; Part 3 releases on 10/5/26), therapist and host Tina Gilbertson helps parents build a reconnection strategy of their own — one that fits their unique …
What if, instead of wondering what you should do next, you had a thoughtful strategy for reconnecting with your estranged adult child? In this multi-part series (Here is Part 2; Part 3 releases on 10/5/26), therapist and host Tina Gilbertson helps parents build a reconnection strategy of their own — one that fits their unique …
What if you did your best with a child who was unusually difficult to raise… and then as an adult, they became estranged? The pain can be especially deep when you remember how hard you worked, the challenges you faced as a parent, and how much you tried to get things right. In this episode, …
When your adult child “goes no contact,” are you supposed to just stop trying to reach out? How can you find out what’s wrong? And what about “less contact” — what does that mean? Usually, no contact means no contact. But other times it means “no contact unless…” or “no contact until…” and this might …
When relationships between parents and adult children become strained, distance can grow quickly. Many parents feel powerless to change things — or worse, believe they’ve already made things worse by trying to fix it. But what if the very skills that heal therapeutic relationships could also repair yours? In this practical episode, psychotherapist and host …
In this thoughtful episode, host Tina Gilbertson offers a fresh perspective on a question many parents of young adults wrestle with: How do we help our adult children become independent — and how do we know when to step back versus step in? Drawing on the universal reality that we all have dependency needs throughout …
If you have a college-aged adult child who’s creating distance between you, you’re not alone. Why do young adults suddenly go from frequent voluntary contact and “I love you” to feeling “smothered”? And how should parents respond? In this episode featuring a recording from a past Q&A call, podcast host Tina Gilbertson, LPC, tackles the …
One of the hardest things to understand if you didn’t abuse your child or children, is that their estrangement may still be a way of protecting themselves. Although there are estranged adult children with horrific stories of abuse and neglect, they are not the only ones creating distance from parents and family. Parents of all …
One of the hardest things to understand if you didn’t abuse your child or children, is that their estrangement may still be a way of protecting themselves. Although there are estranged adult children with horrific stories of abuse and neglect, they are not the only ones creating distance from parents and family. Parents of all …
When your adult child stops talking to you, many parents’ biggest fear is they’ll never come back. If silence goes on for months or years, you might naturally wonder if the unthinkable has happened, and the relationship with your child(ren) is actually over. In this hopeful episode, therapist and host Tina Gilbertson argues that estrangement …
In this thoughtful remake of Episode 3, RC Podcast host and therapist Tina Gilbertson walks listeners through some of the most common mistakes parents make when adult children become estranged. As a parent, sometimes you have to avoid words and actions that might come naturally if you want to successfully reconnect. Steering clear of anything …
Estranged adult children might say to their parents, “You brought this on yourselves” – referring to parental behaviors that contributed to their need for space. But parents may say the same thing to adult children who choose estrangement, and then discover they’re still unhappy: “You’re bringing this on yourself (by keeping your distance).” Where do …
Episode 1 Redux Most parents who are unwillingly estranged from their adult children worry about time passing while they’re estranged. They know life is short. Grandchildren grow up fast. Time is not unlimited. This makes parents anxious to reconnect, which is understandable. But acting on anxiety too often leads to ineffective behaviors. In this revitalization …
In this fascinating 2-part episode (Part 1 was Episode 219), host Tina Gilbertson explores the impact on siblings of adult child estrangement. If your estranged adult child has a brother, sister, or multiple siblings, you’ll want to listen to this series carefully. You’ll discover how to support the ones left behind; whether your other adult …
In this fascinating 2-part episode (here is Part 2), host Tina Gilbertson explores the impact on siblings of adult child estrangement. If your estranged adult child has a brother, sister, or multiple siblings, you’ll want to listen to this series carefully. You’ll discover how to support the ones left behind; whether your other adult children …
Featuring Anne Dickson, Ph.D. In this insightful episode (use the player below to listen), you’ll learn about the critical interplay between assertiveness, boundaries, and emotions. Reconnection Club Podcast host Tina Gilbertson shares an excerpt from her interview with assertiveness expert and author Anne Dickson, who explains how early experiences shape our understanding of anger. Key …
Did you know that intentionally tolerating anxiety can help you make clearer decisions, and even find moments of joy, during an unwanted estrangement from your adult child(ren)? In this useful episode (scroll down and use the player below to listen), Reconnection Club host Tina Gilbertson talks about the importance (and practicality) of tolerating anxiety when …
You feel it when your estranged (or formerly estranged) adult child is in the room. The conversation is surface-level. You second-guess everything. You remind yourself, “I have to be careful.” “Walking on eggshells” is a common experience for parents of estranged adult children, especially during the reconciliation phase of estrangement. Parents might not know exactly …
You haven’t heard from your adult child lately, but they weren’t doing well the last time you did hear from them. Or maybe you’ve heard they’re okay, but you can’t get an answer to a text. You wonder if they’ve blocked you. You’re afraid of becoming more and more estranged. Whatever the circumstances surrounding your …