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Sufani Garza, Place of Bliss Academy

It is an interesting finding that has to do with the way we raise our children, the rise of concentrated individualism, and the type of individualism that is practiced culturally.

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It is an interesting finding that has to do with the way we raise our children, the rise of concentrated individualism, and the type of individualism that is practiced culturally.

Technology also has a place in this discussion as it has shaped the way in which we communicate with one another and especially the way in which Xennials, Millennials, Generation Y, Z, respond to Gen X and Boomers. The gap has become so wide, and many parents are completely blindsided, or else see the conflict coming slowly, like a train wreck, and have no idea what is happening in-order-to stop it. It is very common for adult children to say that parents "know exactly what they did or a doing," however, in many cases, they literally don't because the rules of parenting and engagement have changed so drastically, as has the child themselves, from the respect and entitlements a parent once cherished and could reply on. While estrangement benefits the adult child who feels they must abandon the parent to find themselves, the parent has nothing to gain but pain and sadness.

In this course we detangle the personal pain and suffering, from the changes in society and the nuclear family, and address the changes parents need to make, how to understand the nuances of estrangement with adult children and how to attempt to learn and meet the needs of the adult child to repair the relationship.

This course asks parents to be open and look within in, something I am convinced that bulk of you are already well on your way to doing, which is why you found your way to this course, while also examining the adult child's behavior and what you are not responsible for.

This course is also highly recommended for Healers, Counsellors, Therapists and Ministers to assist your own clients or patients with this very difficult issue of estrangement that is on the rise.

This course is not only an examination of personal growth in relationships and the ever-changing dynamics, but more importantly, gives parents tools to learn to be happy again, and through all this soul searching and trying to understand, find a greater love than they had at the beginning of this journey. That is, a greater love for themselves as more than the role of parent and the ability to be happy again despite the estrangement from an adult child. Whether there is a short-term or a long-term absence from an adult child, a parent has the right to be happy and move on (as well as the adult child) to pursue happiness and joy afforded to us all. Some things are fixable and at other times they are not. Finding a greater love for self which allows you to remove the guilt, shame and embarrassment parents silently suffer, and going on to live a beautiful life is the end goal.

The world has changed, our children with it, and now we must catch up to understand how to navigate through the web of family estrangement. There is so much covered in this course. Please see the course syllabus for topics and I hope to see you in class.

For those of you who are new, welcome, for those of you who are students already of POBA, welcome back.

POBA is accredited through the International Association of Therapists, has over 15K online students worldwide and is in 154 Countries and 47 Languages.

See you in class. Sufi

If you searched any of these topics, you will like this course: Counselor certification, mental health counselor, career counselor, grief counselor, spiritual counselor, addiction counselor, peer counselor, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), certified life transition counselor, certified spiritual counselor and psychological empath, certified resolution therapist, psychology, positive psychology, social psychology, marketing psychology, clinical psychology, diploma in modern applied psychology, energy psychology, educational psychology, spiritual psychology, mental health coach, mental health, mental health counselor, occupational therapy, mental health and well-being, becoming a mental health first aider, certified mental health counseling practitioner, mental health ambassador, mental health healing and well-being, spiritual healing practitioner and coach

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • How to answer questions about the estranged child without shame
  • How to understand why the estrangement occurred: familial and societal
  • New ways to communicate: listening, surrendering, losing entitlements
  • Common mistakes parents make in reconciliation
  • Estrangement statistics & interesting facts
  • Communication rules of estrangement & timelines
  • Becoming more than the role of parent
  • The broad umbrella of trauma
  • The age of information vs wisdom
  • The nuclear family & how it has changed
  • Anatomy and nuances of estrangement
  • Social warfare through digital media
  • Personal change & growth guidance
  • Finding a greater love: yourself & your freedom
  • Self-love coaching throughout!
  • Accredited digital and hard copy diplomas available
  • Show more
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Syllabus

Introduction
Introduction: How to Respond to Questions About My Adult Child
3 Ways to Respond to Questions About Your Estranged Adult Child| Unpacked
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#67

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Offers guidance on navigating the emotional challenges of estrangement, which can be a deeply isolating and painful experience for parents
Explores the impact of societal shifts and digital media on family dynamics, which provides a broader context for understanding estrangement
Examines the changing dynamics within the nuclear family, which helps parents understand the evolving expectations and pressures on family relationships
Teaches strategies for self-love and personal growth, which are essential for parents to heal and find happiness during estrangement
Discusses the concept of trauma, which may help parents understand the underlying issues contributing to the estrangement
Includes information on diplomas, which may be more relevant for counselors and therapists than for parents seeking personal guidance

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Reviews summary

Estranged parent healing: practical & accredited

According to learners, this course provides a deeply validating and helpful perspective for parents experiencing estrangement. Students appreciate the practical tools and strategies offered for self-healing and potential reconciliation. Many found the content compassionate and insightful, helping them understand the complex dynamics of estrangement from societal and psychological angles. While generally well-received by parents seeking personal healing and professionals looking to assist clients, some feedback suggests the course primarily focuses on the parent's perspective.
Mainly explores the issue from the parent's side.
"While helpful, the course primarily focuses on the parent's experience. I wish there was more on the adult child's perspective."
"The content is very much from the view of the parent trying to heal. This is helpful but could be more balanced."
"I understand this is for parent healing, but a brief section on the adult child's stated reasons might offer more insight."
Instructor is seen as compassionate and knowledgeable.
"The instructor's compassionate approach makes this difficult topic much easier to digest and process."
"Sufi shares knowledge with empathy and understanding, which is crucial when dealing with such a sensitive subject."
"Her insights come from a place of deep understanding and compassion, resonating with the pain of estrangement."
Valuable for therapists and counselors.
"As a practitioner, this course provides essential knowledge to support clients dealing with family estrangement. It's accredited too."
"The information is highly relevant for therapeutic practice. I gained valuable insights to use with my clients."
"This course is a great resource for anyone in the helping professions working with families affected by estrangement."
Covers various facets of estrangement dynamics.
"This course covers everything that a parent may question regarding the complex world of estranged families, societal changes, family dynamics."
"The course covers psychological aspects, societal changes, and communication strategies which provides a well-rounded view."
"It touches on different types of estrangement and common mistakes parents make, which was very enlightening."
Provides actionable steps for healing and communication.
"I learned many practical tools and strategies for self-healing and potential reconciliation. It has helped me to reframe my perspective."
"The information is so needed and is given in a practical way to help understand family dynamics and move forward."
"I now have language for my situation and tangible tools to cope and potentially reconnect with my child."
Offers validation and understanding for parents.
"This course is a validation for myself! The content and the perspective shared resonate a lot with my situation and help understand."
"I am taking this course not to be a practitioner but for personal reasons. This is exactly what I needed. It validates my reality."
"This is very validating and helpful to reframe how I am thinking and relating to my estranged daughter."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Estranged Parent Healing| Psychology Practitioner ACCREDITED with these activities:
Review Attachment Theory
Reviewing attachment theory can help parents understand the underlying dynamics of their relationship with their adult children and identify potential patterns that may have contributed to the estrangement.
Browse courses on Attachment Theory
Show steps
  • Read articles or watch videos explaining attachment theory.
  • Reflect on your own attachment style and your child's.
  • Consider how attachment styles may have influenced your relationship.
Read 'Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents'
Reading this book can provide valuable insights into potential emotional dynamics that may have contributed to the estrangement.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the book.
  • Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
  • Reflect on how the concepts relate to your own experiences.
Journaling: Reflect on Communication Patterns
Reflecting on past communication patterns can help identify areas for improvement and foster more effective communication in the future.
Show steps
  • Dedicate time each day to write in a journal.
  • Focus on past conversations with your adult child.
  • Identify patterns of communication that were helpful or harmful.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Join a Support Group for Estranged Parents
Connecting with other parents who have experienced estrangement can provide emotional support, shared experiences, and practical advice.
Show steps
  • Search online for local or online support groups.
  • Attend a meeting and share your experiences.
  • Listen to others and offer support.
Consult with a Therapist or Counselor
Seeking professional guidance can provide personalized support and strategies for navigating the complexities of estrangement.
Show steps
  • Research therapists or counselors specializing in family estrangement.
  • Schedule an initial consultation.
  • Discuss your situation and goals for therapy.
Read 'When Parents Hurt'
This book provides strategies for navigating difficult relationships with adult children.
View Alter Ego: A Novel on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the book.
  • Read the book and take notes on key strategies.
  • Reflect on how the strategies can be applied to your situation.
Write a Letter (Unsent)
Writing a letter to your estranged child, even if you don't send it, can be a therapeutic way to express your feelings and gain clarity.
Show steps
  • Write a letter expressing your feelings to your child.
  • Focus on expressing your emotions without blaming or criticizing.
  • Review the letter and reflect on your feelings.
  • Decide whether to send the letter or keep it private.

Career center

Learners who complete Estranged Parent Healing| Psychology Practitioner ACCREDITED will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Mental Health Counselor
Mental health counselors provide therapeutic support to individuals experiencing a range of mental and emotional health issues. This course, which addresses the personal pain and suffering associated with parental estrangement, may be helpful to the mental health counselor. The course examines the changes parents need to make, how to understand the nuances of estrangement with adult children, and how to attempt to learn and meet the needs of the adult child to repair the relationship. This course's exploration of trauma, societal influences, and communication breakdowns complements the mental health counselor's existing knowledge base, allowing for more tailored and effective interventions.
Conflict Resolution Specialist
Conflict resolution specialists help individuals and organizations resolve disputes and disagreements. This course, deeply rooted in the dynamics of family estrangement, may be especially poignant for a conflict resolution specialist. The course's dissection of familial conflicts, communication breakdowns, and reconciliation attempts provides a rich foundation of knowledge for navigating complex interpersonal disputes. The conflict resolution specialist may apply the course's teachings on new communication methods, listening skills, and addressing entitlements to facilitate productive conversations and guide parties toward mutual understanding.
Life Coach
Life coaches assist individuals in setting and achieving personal and professional goals. This course, emphasizing personal change, growth guidance, and finding a greater love for oneself, may be highly relevant for life coaches. The course's focus on self-love coaching and empowering individuals to move on and pursue happiness despite challenging circumstances aligns with the core principles of life coaching. By understanding the dynamics of estrangement and the emotional challenges it presents, the life coach can better support clients in overcoming obstacles and living more fulfilling lives. The life coach may find the course particularly salient to clients undergoing major life transitions or facing relationship difficulties.
Addiction Counselor
Addiction counselors help individuals overcome substance abuse and other addictive behaviors. This course, with its focus on detangling personal pain and suffering from societal changes, may provide addiction counselors with additional tools to assist patients who also struggle with family estrangement. The course's emphasis on personal growth, self-love, and finding happiness despite estrangement aligns with the goals of addiction counseling, helping patients cope with the emotional pain and find a path toward healing. The addiction counselor may find the course materials helpful in understanding the specific dynamics of estrangement and the unique challenges faced by patients in these situations.
Grief Counselor
Grief counselors provide support and guidance to individuals experiencing loss and grief. This course, with its focus on detangling personal pain and suffering from societal changes, may provide grief counselors with additional tools to assist parents estranged from their adult children. The course's emphasis on personal growth, self-love, and finding happiness despite estrangement aligns with the goals of grief counseling, helping clients cope with the emotional pain and find a path toward healing. The grief counselor may find the course materials helpful in understanding the specific dynamics of estrangement and the unique challenges faced by parents in these situations.
Relationship Coach
Relationship coaches work with individuals and couples to improve their relationships and communication skills. This course, with its focus on personal growth and navigating ever-changing relationship dynamics, may serve as a valuable resource for relationship coaches. The course's teachings on communication rules of estrangement, timelines, and common mistakes parents make in reconciliation may provide relationship coaches with practical strategies to help clients facing similar challenges. Furthermore, the course's emphasis on self-love and finding happiness can guide relationship coaches to help their clients build stronger, healthier relationships with themselves and others.
Psychotherapist
A psychotherapist provides long-term therapeutic treatment to individuals with a variety of mental health and emotional issues. This course may assist the psychotherapist in understanding the complexities of familial estrangement, particularly the shifts in societal norms and communication styles that contribute to these situations. Psychotherapists assist their patients in developing strategies and solutions to improve their mental health. Understanding the nuances of estrangement, as discussed in the course, helps psychotherapists to better treat patients struggling with the challenges of estrangement. The course's focus on societal changes and communication patterns equips the psychotherapist with valuable insights into the root causes of estrangement, potentially leading to more effective interventions.
Social Worker
Social workers support individuals and families facing a variety of challenges, often involving complex social and emotional issues. This course, addressing familial estrangement and its societal context, may offer valuable insights for social workers. The course's exploration of the changing nuclear family, the impact of digital media, and the influence of individualism may enrich the social worker's understanding of the factors contributing to estrangement. By learning about the anatomy and nuances of estrangement, a social worker can better assist families in navigating these difficult situations and accessing appropriate resources.
Family Mediator
A family mediator helps individuals and families navigate conflicts and reach mutually agreeable solutions. This course may assist family mediators in understanding the complexities of familial estrangement, particularly the shifts in societal norms and communication styles that contribute to these situations. Understanding the nuances of estrangement, as discussed in the course, helps family mediators to better facilitate conversations and guide families towards reconciliation or, at the very least, improved understanding. The course's focus on societal changes and communication patterns equips the family mediator with valuable insights into the root causes of estrangement, potentially leading to more effective interventions.
Pastoral Counselor
Pastoral counselors provide counseling services within a religious or spiritual context, often addressing personal and relational issues. This course, focusing on healing, self-love, and personal growth, may support pastoral counselors. The course's teachings on estrangement and its impact on families provides pastoral counselors with valuable insights into the emotional and spiritual challenges faced by individuals experiencing separation from their families. The pastoral counselor may leverage the course material to guide congregants toward healing, reconciliation, and a deeper understanding of themselves.
Guidance Counselor
Guidance counselors assist students with academic, career, and personal development. This course's focus on understanding societal changes and communication patterns helps the guidance counselor understand modern familial dynamics, which may impact a student's well being. The course's teachings on the impact of social media and digital communication on relationships provides context to the challenges faced by young people today. Guidance counselors may find the course useful in helping students navigate family conflicts and develop healthier communication skills.
Geriatric Social Worker
Geriatric social workers specialize in assisting older adults and their families with a range of challenges, including health issues, financial concerns, and social isolation. This course may be surprisingly relevant for geriatric social workers, as it addresses the dynamics of family estrangement, which can significantly impact the well-being of older adults. The course's exploration of communication breakdowns, societal changes, and the emotional toll of estrangement can provide geriatric social workers with valuable insights for supporting older adults facing family separation. A geriatric social worker may find the course helpful in facilitating conversations, connecting clients with resources, and promoting emotional healing.
Employee Assistance Program Counselor
Employee assistance program counselors provide confidential counseling and support services to employees dealing with personal or work-related issues. This course, focusing on detangling personal pain and suffering, may be relevant for employee assistance program counselors. The course's examination of the dynamics of estrangement, the impact of societal changes, and the importance of self-love can provide counselors with valuable insights for supporting employees dealing with challenging family situations. The employee assistance program counselor may find this course particularly useful for understanding the impact of family issues on work performance and overall well-being.
Crisis Counselor
Crisis counselors provide immediate support and intervention to individuals experiencing acute emotional distress or trauma. Although not immediately obvious, crisis counselors may find value in this course's exploration of the emotional impact of family estrangement. The course's teachings on trauma, self-love, and finding happiness during difficult times can equip crisis counselors with additional tools to help clients cope with the emotional pain and navigate challenging family situations. The crisis counselor may leverage the course material to provide immediate support, validate clients' feelings, and connect them with appropriate resources for ongoing care.
Rehabilitation Counselor
Rehabilitation counselors work with individuals who have disabilities or chronic illnesses to help them achieve their personal and professional goals. Although seemingly unrelated, this course, with its focus on personal change and growth, may be useful to a rehabilitation counselor. By understanding the emotional impact of estrangement and the importance of self-love, rehabilitation counselors can better support clients who may be facing similar challenges in their personal lives. The rehabilitation counselor may find the course material relevant in addressing the emotional well being of clients and promoting resilience.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Estranged Parent Healing| Psychology Practitioner ACCREDITED.
Provides a framework for understanding how emotionally immature parents can impact their children and offers practical strategies for healing and building healthier relationships. It directly addresses the emotional challenges faced by both parents and adult children in estranged relationships, offering insights into the dynamics at play. It is particularly useful for parents seeking to understand their role in the estrangement and develop healthier communication patterns.
Offers compassionate strategies for parents struggling with difficult relationships with their adult children. It provides practical advice on communication, boundaries, and self-care. This book is valuable for parents seeking to improve their relationship with their adult child or cope with the emotional challenges of estrangement. It is often used as a resource by therapists and support groups.

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