Regulation – Grief, Shame, and Urgency

Service Description

Activities/writing assignments will be assigned via email between weekly sessions. DESCRIPTION Estrangement activates deep emotional pain, grief, shame, fear, and urgency. This workshop helps parents understand, navigate, develop survival strategies and regulate emotions so they can respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively. Unintentionally, increasing distance and misalignment. TOPICS 1. Family Structure & Background - Why this is important? Please briefly describe your family structure (e.g., number of children, ages, marital status, and any significant relationships such as partners or stepfamily dynamics). 2. Estrangement Overview - Placement on the Continuum of Estrangement Which adult child(ren) are you estranged or distanced from, and what is your current level of contact? 3. Emotional Experience - Where are you in your estrangement grief? What emotions do you experience most often related to this estrangement (e.g., grief, shame, anger, fear, urgency)? 4. Triggers & Reactions - Yours and Theirs What situations or thoughts tend to trigger strong emotional reactions for you, and how do you typically respond? 5. Biggest Challenge Right Now - Strategies to Keep Going What feels hardest for you to manage emotionally at this stage?