05/21/2026
Clients often seek support due to their dysfunctional family systems (parents, adult siblings, etc). While there is inner work that is necessary for healing, these strategies can be helpful for protecting oneself from ongoing distress ⬇️
1️⃣ Be the observer, not the participant. Start seeing yourself as the outsider in their dysfunctional system.
2️⃣ Do not justify or defend yourself.
3️⃣ Limit what information you share.
4️⃣ Shut down triangulation: do not engage in or respond to he said/she said. If someone does not address you directly with their issue - ignore it.
5️⃣ Accept that your family cannot love or support you the way that you want them to. You are setting yourself up for disappointment when you continue to expect something they are unwilling or unable to do.
6️⃣ Invest in yourself & your chosen family. Use the emotional energy saved to support the life you deserve.
🖤Melissa