ADULT FAMILY THERAPY IN NYC

When families struggle in adulthood, the issues are rarely about a single recent disagreement. More often, they reflect long-standing patterns, shifting roles, and unresolved hurt that have accumulated over time. What looks like tension between siblings, conflict between adult children and parents, or distance within the broader family system often carries a deeper history beneath it.

Research on adult families of origin shows that therapy with adult family members frequently centers on “legacy” issues — unresolved relational injuries and developmental disruptions that continue to shape present-day interactions. These patterns can quietly influence communication, boundaries, expectations, and emotional reactions long after childhood has ended.

Rupture in adult families can take many forms. Sometimes it appears as open conflict. Other times it shows up as distance, long-term silence, or estrangement. In many cases, tension builds gradually through repeated misunderstandings, unresolved grievances, or patterns that quietly harden over time. What begins as small fractures can eventually grow into significant relational breakdowns or even complete cutoffs between family members.

Unlike family therapy focused on parenting young children, adult family therapy recognizes that each person is autonomous. Every member brings their own perspective, values, and history. Often, one or two motivated individuals initiate the process, even when the distress affects the entire system.

Adult family therapy can address challenges such as:

• Ongoing conflict between siblings
• Estrangement or partial cutoff between adult family members
• Tension between adult children and parents
• Resentment related to past caregiving roles
• Disagreements around inheritance, responsibilities, or expectations
• Difficulty navigating aging parents and changing family dynamics

As families evolve, roles naturally shift. Parents age. Siblings renegotiate responsibilities. Old hierarchies soften or intensify. These transitions can amplify unresolved patterns or create new strains that feel difficult to navigate alone.

If you feel stuck in repetitive arguments, carrying long-standing resentment, or wanting connection but unsure how to rebuild it, adult family therapy offers a structured and supportive place to begin.

We specialize in working with adult siblings, adult children and parents, and extended family systems navigating conflict, estrangement, and major life transitions.

Adult family therapy can support you with:

• Rebuilding communication — Many adult family conflicts stem from repeated misunderstandings and defensive patterns. Therapy creates space to slow conversations down, clarify intentions, and reduce reactive cycles.
• Addressing unresolved rupture — Old injuries often linger beneath present tension. Therapy provides a contained environment to revisit painful moments in a way that promotes accountability and repair rather than escalation.
• Navigating boundaries — As families age, boundaries shift. Therapy helps adult family members renegotiate roles while maintaining both connection and autonomy.
• Managing resentment and resentment cycles — When resentment goes unspoken, it tends to resurface indirectly. Structured dialogue allows grievances to be expressed and processed constructively.
• Supporting differentiation — Healthy adult relationships require the ability to remain connected while maintaining a strong sense of self. Therapy strengthens that balance.
• Preparing for transitions — Aging parents, caregiving decisions, inheritance discussions, relocations, or health crises can intensify existing fractures. Therapy offers guidance through these transitions with greater clarity and collaboration.

Adult family therapy is not about deciding who is “right.” It is about understanding how patterns developed and identifying what needs to change for relationships to feel more stable and respectful.