Why do loving parents sometimes push away the very children they’d do anything for?
This week, Catherine Hickem joins Dr. Kerry to unpack one of the most painful dynamics in modern families—parental estrangement. We explore how unspoken expectations create invisible walls, why parents mistake control for connection, and how grief work (yes, grief work) is the secret to letting your adult children become who they actually are, not who you needed them to be.
Podcast Extra Exclusive Segment
Find the exclusive second segment and weekly newsletter here: https://substack.com/@breakingfreenarcabuse
🔹 Stuck waiting for certainty before you leave?
Catherine and Dr. Kerry tackle the cognitive dissonance trap—why you’ll never feel “ready” to go, how to make the hardest decision of your life without clarity, and why almost no one regrets leaving once they finally do.
👉 Get immediate access to this extended interview: https://substack.com/@breakingfreenarcabuse
More About Catherine Hickem
- Website: https://www.parentingadultchildrentoday.com
- TikTok: @parentingadultchildrentd
- Email: catherine@parentingadultchildrentoday.com
CATHERINE HICKEM, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, executive and family coach, and founder of Parenting Adult Children Today. With over 40 years of experience and a master’s degree in clinical social work from the University of Louisville, Catherine has dedicated her career to helping parents navigate the often-overlooked complexities of raising adult children. She is the author of Regret-Free Parenting and specializes in estrangement recovery, teaching parents how to release expectations, grieve unmet dreams, and rebuild relationships grounded in acceptance rather than control.
Submit Your Question
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Resources
- ReclaimYou: Dr. Kerry’s AI-powered coaching app
- The Complete Recovery Collection: Narcissistic abuse resources
- First Steps to Leaving: Online self-paced digital course
- Toxic-Free Relationship Club: Live coaching & community support
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Kerry Kerr McAvoy, Ph.D, a retired psychologist & author, is an expert on cultivating healthy relationships and deconstructing narcissism.
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This podcast/video is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute therapy, counseling, or professional mental health advice. If you are in crisis, please call 911 or your local emergency number.
